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 Hilton Garden Inn – Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile. A limited number of rooms have been secured at the rate of $169 a night. Reservations must be made by July 24, 2017. Check out our hotel fact sheet for more information and details.

Register Now! 

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.

M. Jane Eaves, Gonser Gerber partner, provides comprehensive consulting services to colleges, universities, independent and Catholic schools, religious orders, major university alumni associations, health care institutions, and cultural organizations. An active speaker and lecturer with more than 30 years of development experience, Ms. Eaves has spoken on topics such as major gifts, emerging trends in annual giving, development planning, and planned giving. Her professional experience prior to joining Gonser Gerber includes the University of the South, Darlington School, and Sheridan School.