January is the perfect time to kick-start your 2017 major donor fundraising efforts.
And the very best way to start is to evaluate last year’s major donor fundraising effort. Review your portfolio and results to figure out what worked and what didn’t. Then set clear goals for 2017.
For now, let’s focus on making your meetings with donors in 2017 go as well as possible. Following these 9 basic major donor-meeting tips. They come from an article in the Chronicle of Philanthropy written by Eden Stiffman.
- Get to know the donor
- Meet on the donor’s turf
- Listen intently and avoid talking too much
- Respect the donor’s time
- Meetings aren’t for everyone
- Set reasonable expectations
- Ask for a donation when it feels right
- Express your gratitude
- Involve the whole team
These are great tips and hopefully give you the framework for major donor fundraising success this year and beyond!