Part 1 of a 3 Part Series. We interviewed donors who have given 5, 6, and 7 figure gifts. We asked them what motivates them to give, what organization's do that works (and what doesn't) and talked with them about what they like (and don't like) in fundraisers. This 3 Part Series is a compilation with highlights from the interviews. You can get the written report on Major Donor Giving Secrets and request the full audio from all of the interviews by emailing Clark at [email protected].

In this episode Clark talks about Aristotle's 3 types of friendships and the experience he gave his customers selling hot chocolate at a University of Alabama Football game. You can email Clark at [email protected] and follow Major Gifts Fundrasier on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/majorgiftsfundraiser/

Wikipedia says that "Potpourri" is a mixture of dried, naturally fragrant plant materials, used to provide a gentle natural scent, commonly in residential settings. That's at least partly true of this episode. It's a mix of topics, gently presented. Gratitude. Who gives big gifts? What constitutes a major gift? What does intentional small talk look like? How can microcommitments help move us toward a major gift? Questions or comments, email Clark at [email protected].

In this episode Clark talks about how the gratitude we express during Thanksgiving month puts us in a great position for Giving Tuesday -- and then, what to do after Giving Tuesday with those who still have not given yet this year. Also, Giving Tuesday is NOT a case for support. Giving Tuesday is a forcing function that can be used to get people to give, but Giving Tuesday alone is NOT a case for support. Questions? Comments? Email [email protected]

At the end of October it's time to run your LYBUNT List. That's people who gave last year but unfortunately not this year. In the month of November we then express gratitude -- and get names to "magically" drop off the list. Also, when a donor doesn't give -- or they give more than they usually give -- we should make a big deal about it! Reach our to Clark at [email protected].

The podcast is back. In this episode Clark talks about a simple strategy for expressing gratitude to your donors during the Thanksgiving season. Questions, comments? Email Clark at [email protected]

What can we learn about fundraising from Ronald Reagan, Mitt Romney, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal? Two stories that demonstrate that demonstrate passion and a burning desire to succeed, which are two qualities of great fundraisers. If you want to hear more podcasts like this one, email Clark at [email protected].

In life there are times that we put things on auto-pilot. In this episode, Clark guides you through an honest self-assessment, asking you the question, "Where you at?" You even get a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson in this episode.

Encouragement from Clark to be curious and to be bold. We ask good questions in meetings not because we are trying to find the right numbers to punch into the ATM so the ATM will spit out cash. We ask good questions because we are genuinely curious, and because we are genuinely curious, we are then bold enough to ask the questions. 

In this episode Clark talks about why his meetings almost always go as planned -- and how and why he is able to almost always ask his strategic questions, in the order in which he anticipated asking those questions -- and why this is NOT the case for many development professionals he talks with. Plus -- an important point -- these questions don't just lead to better meetings and move your organization forward. These questions lead to better relationships with your donors. Thoughts? Questions? Email Clark at [email protected]