July 8, 2019 | Read Time: 1 minute
Landing big gifts from wealthy donors often requires a coordinated effort among chief fundraisers, major-gift officers, executive directors, and trustees.
That means you must make sure that executives and board members have all the information they need to feel comfortable and to conduct a successful meeting with a wealthy individual.
Lavinia Boxill, vice president for development at Rutgers University, has shared a sample briefing document that you can adapt and use to prepare your leaders for meetings with philanthropists. The document includes:
- The donor’s name and logistical information
- A brief biographical overview with details of the donor’s giving capacity and history of giving
- A brief statement about what you want the donor to support and when
- A description of the desired outcome of the meeting
- Suggested talking points and other relevant information
- A more in-depth profile of the donor that others involved in the meeting can use to prepare for the meeting
If you’d like more advice from Lavinia Boxill, tune into the webinar “Meeting With Major Donors: The Basics.” To keep yourself on track during a major-donor meeting, check out this form shared by Laura Frye, development director at Merrimack Repertory Theatre, who is the webinar’s co-presenter.
Download the briefing document for nonfundraisers.
