Chapter 34: The Invitation to Give

Major gift fundraising is increasingly important to all nonprofits, large and small and with missions of all kinds. This chapter focuses on donors with the capacity to make large gifts and on inviting those gifts in person. Most major gifts are made following a fundraiser-executed, step-by-step engagement program, oriented toward strengthening donors’ organizational association and leading to philanthropic generosity. Embracing the excitement of inviting gifts requires developing authentic and assured approaches through reflection and practice. This chapter outlines a practical preparation process to guide invitations to give (i.e., "making asks”), originating in the cause and honed through fundraiser reflection and self-awareness. It includes research to utilize throughout donor relationships, creating a pathway to well-conceived requests. It advocates for formulating structured and carefully prepared gift conversations and includes a structure to follow. It refers to a variety of resources that provide donor, fundraiser, and scholarly perspectives.