Major Gifts A to Z - A Training Session for New Major Gift Officers

An effective major gift officer should be able to cultivate, solicit and steward prospects and donors. For individuals who are entering the fundraising profession as a second career, or those who have moved through the advancement office and now find themselves as a first-time major gift officer, it may be unclear of how important the role is or how to go about being effective and successful.

 This workshop allows participants the opportunity to learn, from A to Z, the skills and thinking needed to be the most successful major gift officer they can be - the key to a successful comprehensive development program. Here are the topics we will cover during our two-day program:

•  Session 1: Why Do People Give?
• Session 2: Major Gift Officer and the Advancement/Development Team  
• Session 3: Planned Giving for the Major Gift Officer
• Session 4: Moves Management
• Session 5: Characteristics of Successful Major Gift Officer
• Session 6: How to Get Appointments with Your Prospects               
• Session 7: Making the Ask
• Session 8: What to Do at Your Visit and After
• Session 9: How to Organize Your Work for Success               
• Session 10: Measuring Your Success as a Major Gift Officer

 Gonser Gerber Institute workshops allow you the opportunity to work with experienced faculty, learn from your peers, and offer you the tools you need to develop work plans that will help you do your job better. Join us for this program to refresh your skills, learn new techniques, explore what your peers are doing, and provide you with the time to enhance your program.

Registration and Hotel Information:

Gonser Gerber Institute workshops cost $995 per registration, $895 for each additional registration from the same institution. Current clients of Gonser Gerber receive a discounted fee of $795 per registrant. This fee includes breakfast both days of the workshop, lunch on Thursday, and morning and afternoon snacks. The workshop will take place at the Fairmont Dallas in Texas. A limited number of rooms have been secured at the rate of $169 a night. Reservations must be made by March 19, 2014. Check out our hotel fact sheet for more information and details.

 Your Faculty

Ronald D. Gunden, Gonser Gerber partner since 2003, has more than 30 years of advancement experience at various levels including McCormick Theological Seminary and Goshen College. His comprehensive counsel includes campaigns, building major gift programs, annual, capital, and planned giving programs, Board development, strategic planning, communications, and working with volunteers. Current and previous clients include colleges, seminaries, schools, social service organizations, and religious orders.

 Chad Jolly, Ph.D., Gonser Gerber consultant, has been serving the field of education for more than 17 years. Most recently, he served as Vice President for Institutional Advancement for William Jewell College (MO) where he led a highly successful advancement program and was responsible for development, alumni relations, public relations and marketing. His professional background also includes enrollment management. Dr. Jolly is a frequent presenter and speaker at conferences and professional meetings throughout the U.S.