Giving Compass' Take:

• GuideStar breaks down the phrase "major gifts," what that actually means, and how it applies to the philanthropic sector and donating. 

• What are some effective tools that can be applied to giving and receiving "major gifts?" 

• Learn more about how to do the most good with your donations.

When talking with potential clients, I often ask the following questions: “What do you consider a major gift? How many donors contribute at that level?”

The phrase “major gift” perplexes some people. If needed, I might rephrase as follows:

  • What do you consider a big gift from an individual donor?
  • If you skimmed off the top 10 percent of your donors, based on the size of their contributions, what amounts are they giving?
  • When you open the mail (or review your list of online donations), what size gift inspires you to do your happy dance?

Read the full article about what major gifts mean in philanthropy by Andy Robinson at GuideStar