
Michael J. Baker CFRE
Michael J. Baker CFRE of M3 Development talked to the AFP Suncoast Chapter in March 2013 about Successful Major Gift Strategies. He advocated a 5% strategy – if your job is running the office as development director, dedicate at least 5% of your time to raising major gifts.
Michael covered much in his presentation, a copy of which has been added to the chapter website. Click here to download.
Some of the highlights include the following:
- Don’t wait, just ask.
- Get others to ask for the gift! Peer solicitors are an important resource.
- The wealthiest 3% of the U.S. population gave 50% of all dollars nationwide.
- 32% of donors give because of the tax benefit according to the 2012 Bank of America Study of High Net Worth Philanthropy.
- Women control 60% of U.S. wealth.
- If your organization does not have a strategic plan, your fund development efforts will not have a road map and will struggle with the case for support.
- Look inside your existing donor pool first.
About the Author, Jen Filla
Jen Filla is a roving reporter on the AFP Suncoast Communications Committee. She is also president of Aspire Research Group LLC where she works with organizations worried about finding their next big donor, concerned about what size gift to ask for, or frustrated that they aren’t meeting their major gift goals.