Host Clark Vandeventer talks about SMART Goals: SMART goals are a goal-setting technique that uses five benchmarks to help create concise goals and action steps: S is for Specific: Clearly define what you want to accomplish M is for Measurable: Quantify your goals and build in milestones to make them easier to track A is for Achievable: Consider if…

In the past, you may have heard Clark Vandeventer talk about adding steps to the process. The more you elongate the major gift process and slowly bring your donors along, the safer you'll be. Clark recently heard Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos share the same idea with the phrase, "Slow is smooth and smooth is fast." The phrase "slow is smooth and smooth…

It's another Masterclass inspired episode. In this episode, Clark Vandeventer shares some of his notes from Robin Arzón's MasterClass on Mental Strength. Robin Arzón is an exercise instructor and author, best known as an instructor at Peloton, for which she is also the Vice President of Fitness Programming. Clark shares an incredible mental test he…

In this episode, Chief Fundraising Coach Clark Vandeventer goes through the basic script for the four types of donor meetings Discovery Cultivation Solicitation Stewardship What are the go-to questions for each of these different type of meetings? How are the goals for each type of meeting different? email Clark at clark@majorgiftsfundraiser.com Ma…

Michael Lewis is the author of more than 20 books, including 3 that have become major motion pictures (Moneyball, The Blind Side, The Big Short). Host Clark Vandeventer shares highlights for fundraisers from his Masterclass on How to Tell a Great Story. Link: https://www.masterclass.com/series/tell-a-great-story From of this podcast: You're probabl…

Host Clark Vandeventer answers a listener email and addresses the question, "What's the right amount to ask for?" email Clark at clark@majorgiftsfundraiser.com Major Gifts Fundraiser on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/majorgiftsfundraiser/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Major Gifts Fundraiser on Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/majorgiftsfund…

Host Clark Vandeventer shares highlights for fundraisers from the MasterClass on Purposeful Communication with George Stephanopoulos. Focus of this podcast episode: Doing your preparation Time Management Using body language in donor meetings Utilizing silence (not just the silence after you asked for a gift) email Clark at clark@majorgiftsfundraise…

What is your next right thing with your donor? Getting a visit? Making an ask? Closing a gift? Whatever the next thing is that you need to do, BEFORE you do that, think about 2-3 steps you can add to the process. email Clark at clark@majorgiftsfundraiser.com Major Gifts Fundraiser on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/majorgiftsfundraiser…

Do you know who your top people are? Your Top 2-3 prospects? Your Top 5? Your Top 10? This may be the masterskill of success in fundraising. And, you could get the names wrong and still be right! Email Clark at clark@majorgiftsfundraiser.com Major Gifts Fundraiser on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/majorgiftsfundraiser/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Major Gif…

Where are you essential as a fundraiser? As a human being? In this episode Clark talks about focusing on the most important things. Don't foget -- email Clark to reserve your spot in a group coaching cohort. Deadline is January 31. Email Clark at clark@majorgiftsfundraiser.com Major Gifts Fundraiser on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/maj…

Have you heard the legendary story of the guy who returned tires to Nordstrom? In this episode, Clark Vandeventer recounts the story of a recent experience he had with a local business, and how these employees were clearly not trained by Nordstroms. Examples of how you can set yourself apart as a fundraiser by BEING KNOWLEDGABLE. Email Clark at cla…

Clark Vandeventer opens this episode by talking about a favorite mantra: things you measure get better, things you don't won't. Also, when we expect and require excellence of ourselves in one area, that bleeds over to other areas of our life. Then, Clark gives some tips on how you can use the month of November to report on your good work while expr…

In this epsidode host Clark Vandeventer shares and expands on 3 ideas from Brian Tracy's book "Be a Sales Superstar." This is Part 2. Building Long-Term Relationships Using Educational Selling Building Mega-credibility Email Clark at clark@majorgiftsfundraiser.com Major Gifts Fundraiser on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/majorgiftsfundraise…

In this epsidode host Clark Vandeventer shares and expands on 3 ideas from Brian Tracy's book "Be a Sales Superstar." The Winning Edge Principle Being Brilliant at the Basics And the classic sales formula AIDA Email Clark at clark@majorgiftsfundraiser.com Major Gifts Fundraiser on Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/majorgiftsfundraiser/⁠⁠ Major…

In this episode, Clark Vandeventer talks about the three big pieces to your year-end, and that starts with spending the month of November exuding gratitude. Email Clark at clark@majorgiftsfundraiser.com Major Gifts Fundraiser on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/majorgiftsfundraiser/⁠ Major Gifts Fundraiser on Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.co…

Can you text your donors? Is that appropriate? If you're asking that question, it may be an indication we have another issue to deal with. Host Clark Vandeventer talks about whether it's appropriate to text your donors. Email Clark at clark@majorgiftsfundraiser.com Major Gifts Fundraiser on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/majorgiftsfundraiser…

Clark shares a list of 30 tips for connecting with others. This is great life advice for caring for others and creating a high touch environment. Email Clark at clark@majorgiftsfundraiser.com Major Gifts Fundraiser on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/majorgiftsfundraiser/⁠ Major Gifts Fundraiser on Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/majorgift…

In this episode Clark talks about his recent experience helping an organization frame the experience key stakeholders would have at a 75th anniversary gala. True service comes from the heart. He also gave students he trained a fun visual image: A Conversation Sandwich. Email Clark at clark@majorgiftsfundraiser.com Major Gifts Fundraiser on Instagra…

Clark walks through the 6 Levels of Fundraisers and invites you to an honest moment of self-assessment? Where are you at? What level are you? Email Clark at clark@majorgiftsfundraiser.com Major Gifts Fundraiser on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/majorgiftsfundraiser/⁠ Major Gifts Fundraiser on Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/majorgiftsfun…

Clark goes through a long list -- a quiver of ways -- to thank and steward your donors. This is not an exhaustive list, but here are some ideas to get you thinking about how to creatively thank your donors. What would you add to the list? Email Clark at clark@majorgiftsfundraiser.com Major Gifts Fundraiser on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/m…

Why do we love our donors? Is it because if they feel like we love them, they'll give more money? Or, is it because we actually love them? Major Gifts Fundraiser on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/majorgiftsfundraiser/⁠ Major Gifts Fundraiser on Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/majorgiftsfundraiser⁠ Major Gifts Fundraiser on LinkedIn: ⁠htt…

In this episode of the podcast Clark talks about the book From Strength to Strength by Arthur C. Brooks. Have you ever felt burnt out as a fundraiser? It's one thing to be tired. It's another thing to be exhausted -- to feel like you can't do this anymore. You are not the only one. Major Gifts Fundraiser on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/maj…

11:22 - "If you have a donor who you think could give a million dollars, don't spend two years cultivating them for a million dollar gift." In this episode, Clark Vandeventer emphasizes the importance of balancing relationship-building and asking for gifts in fundraising. While it's crucial to cultivate relationships with potential donors and avoid…

In general, fundraisers spend too much time thinking about their pitch. Listen the gift. But still, there comes a point when it's time to make your pitch. In this episode, Clark shares 13 tips to keep in mind when making your pitch. You can email Clark for a copy of this list -- or any other resource you've heard about on the podcast. Email is clar…

We’re building a community – it’s people who aspire to be in the Top 5% of their field. Yes, you want to raise more money. Of course you want to raise more money. But our tribe is more than people who want hacks to figure out how to raise more money. It’s people who are committed to excellence. It’s for people who respect craft. Who want to know th…

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Developing a culture of thanks and gratitude. Don't just do "BIG THINGS" -- do lots of little things (in a system) and then do BIG THINGS on top of that system. Clark mentions two resources in this episode that you can email him for -- his 57 ways to thank and steward a donor, and his checklist for writing a good th…

You should always be working to aquire new donors. But, what are you doing with your current list? How are you loving on the donors who are already giving to your organization? Do you know the full potential of each of your donors? (You don't). You can email Clark to ask him about anything from this episode at clark@majorgiftsfundraiser.com. --- Se…

In this episode of the podcast Clark talks about taking small steps to acheive big dreams. He talks about his goal to run 100 Miles, the movie Moneyball, and your goal to raise a million dollars. What are the small steps we need to take today to achieve these dreams. Talks about Points System and Lead Measures and Lag Measures. Email Clark for any …

Monica is back on the podcast! She copntinues the discussion of "What is the problem you exist to solve" and gets into the process of identifying your ideal donor. You can reach out to Clark or Monica. Clark is at clark@majorgiftsfundraiser.com and Monica is at monica@majorgiftsfundraiser.com Follow Clark on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cla…

In this episode of the podcast Clark interviews Monica on your WHY. "What is the problem you exist to solve?" You have to answer that question. The problem is not that you need to hit your annual fund goal. What is your why? What is the problem that you exist to solve? Email Monica at monica@majorgiftsfundraiser.com or Clark at clark@majorgiftsfund…

Force yourself to be more concise and more disciplined in how you tell your story. The Pixar Pitch gives you 6 sentences to tell your story. Fill in these blanks and you've got your pitch. You should enroll in Peak Performance Fundraising. Go to https://majorgiftsfundraiser.com/ to enroll in Peak Performance Fundraising and start your journey today…

13 things to keep in mind when making your pitch. You should enroll in Peak Performance Fundraising. Go to https://majorgiftsfundraiser.com/ to enroll in Peak Performance Fundraising and start your journey today. Use the promo code MGFPodcast for 20 percent off. You can email Clark at clark@majorgiftsfundraiser.com --- Send in a voice message: http…

These are the must reads. Books that are foundational to Clark's life. If you want to Level up as a fundraiser, you’re going to have to sweat a little. You’re going to have to spend time reading one of these books on your next flight instead of watching a movie. You should be enrolled in one of our virtual training programs. You should enroll in Pe…

For you to be the kind of fundraiser you want to be -- you’ve got to put in the work. If you want to Level up as a fundraiser, you’re going to have to sweat a little. You’re going to have to spend time reading one of these books on your next flight instead of watching a movie. You should be enrolled in one of our virtual training programs. You shou…

In this episode Clark shares 2 of his 12 goals for the year and discusses how they practically move from back-burner to front-burner to done. Questions? Comments? Need help? Want to bring in Clark for a Strategic Fundraising Workshop? Email Clark at clark@majorgiftsfundraiser.com. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show…

In the last episode (#141: Assertive Sales Position > "I don't want to seem pushy...") Clark briefly mentioned how we need an assertive sales positon coupled with excellence throughout the sales process. That episode focused on the assertive sales position and only mentioned excellence throughout the process. This episode is about excellence throug…

So you don't want to seem pushy? That's fine, but just so you know, studies show that an assertive, assumptive sales position outperforms the "non-pushy" positin, by a lot! And why wouldn't you have an assumptive position? You have something of great value that you offer to the donor. You are a world-changer making things happen, and you are inviti…

Basic fundraising advice for anyone getting started in fundraising, whether you are asking for gifts of $100 or gifts of $1,000,000. This is advice that will help you maintain a high view of fundraising, a high view of your donors, and high view of yourself. Questions? Comments? Need help? Email Clark at clark@majorgiftsfundraiser.com. --- Send in …

You spent so much time at the end of the previous calendar year worried about your LYBUNT List. And then you turned the calendar to a new year and forgot about it. Before you move onto bigger and better things, take another look at it. If you don't engage these donors now, the chances of these donors ever giving to your organization again drops sig…

Climbing a mountain takes time. If we set big goals and have high standards of ourselves, we don't hit our goals overnight. It takes time to climb a mountain. Clark takes inspiration from the life of legendary basketball coach John Wooden in this episode of the podcast. Email Clark at clark@majorgiftsfundraiser.com --- Send in a voice message: http…

Are you making plans for an epic year? Don't just hope for an epic year -- like an epic year is going to happen to you. Make plans for an epic year. Email Clark at clark@majorgiftsfundraiser.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/clark-at-major-gifts-fundraiser/message…

What were your BEST DAYS from 2022? If you want to set the right goals for 2023, the first thing you need to do is think about what your BEST DAYS were from 2022 -- becausae what you say were your BEST DAYS say something about what you value -- and you want your goals to be in line with your values. If you want to take Clark up on his offer to revi…

Don't ask people to give because it's year-end! What's your big, audacious goal? How are you accomplishing it? Then, year-end is the forcing function to give. But year-end is not the case for support. It's the forcing function, but that's all it is. Questions? Or want to connect with Clark about a Strategic Fundraising Workshop? Email Clark at clar…

Part 3 of a 3 Part Series. We interviewed donors who have given 5, 6, and 7 figure gifts. We asked them what motivates them to give, what organization's do that works (and what doesn't) and talked with them about what they like (and don't like) in fundraisers. This 3 Part Series is a compilation with highlights from the interviews. You can get the …

Part 2 of a 3 Part Series. We interviewed donors who have given 5, 6, and 7 figure gifts. We asked them what motivates them to give, what organization's do that works (and what doesn't) and talked with them about what they like (and don't like) in fundraisers. This 3 Part Series is a compilation with highlights from the interviews. You can get the …

Part 1 of a 3 Part Series. We interviewed donors who have given 5, 6, and 7 figure gifts. We asked them what motivates them to give, what organization's do that works (and what doesn't) and talked with them about what they like (and don't like) in fundraisers. This 3 Part Series is a compilation with highlights from the interviews. You can get the …

In this episode Clark talks about Aristotle's 3 types of friendships and the experience he gave his customers selling hot chocolate at a University of Alabama Football game. You can email Clark at clark@majorgiftsfundraiser.com and follow Major Gifts Fundrasier on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/majorgiftsfundraiser/ --- Send in a voice mess…

Wikipedia says that "Potpourri" is a mixture of dried, naturally fragrant plant materials, used to provide a gentle natural scent, commonly in residential settings. That's at least partly true of this episode. It's a mix of topics, gently presented. Gratitude. Who gives big gifts? What constitutes a major gift? What does intentional small talk look…

In this episode Clark talks about how the gratitude we express during Thanksgiving month puts us in a great position for Giving Tuesday -- and then, what to do after Giving Tuesday with those who still have not given yet this year. Also, Giving Tuesday is NOT a case for support. Giving Tuesday is a forcing function that can be used to get people to…

At the end of October it's time to run your LYBUNT List. That's people who gave last year but unfortunately not this year. In the month of November we then express gratitude -- and get names to "magically" drop off the list. Also, when a donor doesn't give -- or they give more than they usually give -- we should make a big deal about it! Reach our …