Major gifts isn’t just for large nonprofits with big teams.
This practical, confidence‑building session is designed specifically for small-shop nonprofits and development departments that want to start or strengthen a major gifts program—without burning out staff or overcomplicating the work.
Participants will learn how to move beyond events and annual appeals to build meaningful, relationship‑based major giving in a way that fits their organization’s size, mission, and capacity. The session will walk through the essential building blocks of a major gifts program, with realistic strategies for organizations where fundraising is often handled by one or two people wearing multiple hats.
Through real‑world examples, practical tools, and guided discussion, attendees will gain clarity on how to identify potential major donors, engage them authentically, and create a simple, sustainable system for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
This session is ideal for organizations that are unsure where to begin—or how to take their current efforts to the next level.
Participants will leave with:
- A clear understanding of what makes a major gifts program work in a small-shop environment
- Practical methods for identifying and prioritizing major gift prospects using existing relationships and data
- Simple approaches to donor engagement that build trust and long‑term support
- Tools and habits that make major gifts manageable alongside other development responsibilities
- Increased confidence in having meaningful donor conversations
Date and Time:
Friday, April 10, 2026
9:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Location:
Pierre Chamber of Commerce
800 W Dakota Ave, Pierre, SD 57501