Nonprofit Major Gift Cultivation and Solicitation Strategy
Major gift solicitations should only happen when prospects are fully qualified, relationships are cultivated, and the right ask has been identified. This checklist ensures the organization is ready to make the right ask to the right person at the right time.
- Industry: Nonprofit
- Frequency: Per Major Gift Solicitation
- Estimated Time: 3-4 hours
- Role: Major Gifts Officer / Executive Director
- Total Items: 28
Prospect Qualification
Verify prospect is fully qualified.
- Giving capacity confirmed through research at level of proposed ask?
- Strong affinity and interest in organization's mission confirmed?
- Direct access to make ask (relationship allowing personal solicitation)?
- Timing appropriate (no known hardship, life transition, or competing priority)?
- Qualification assessment documented in CRM?
Cultivation History Review
Review cultivation history.
- Minimum cultivation touchpoints for ask amount level completed?
- Majority of touchpoints non-solicitation stewardship contacts?
- Organizational leadership (ED, board) engaged in cultivation?
- Prospect's specific philanthropic interests clearly understood?
- Full prior giving history and relationship history reviewed?
Ask Strategy
Develop ask strategy.
- Specific ask amount or range determined?
- Ask purpose aligned with known donor interests and organizational needs?
- Who will make the ask and in what setting determined?
- Backup ask amount or alternative if first ask declined prepared?
- Signals that prospect is ready (or nearly ready) to be asked observed?
Proposal and Materials
Prepare proposal and supporting materials.
- Written proposal or case for support prepared?
- Budget showing use of proposed gift prepared?
- Naming or recognition opportunities identified if appropriate?
- Proposal reviewed by ED or supervisor before presentation?
Solicitation Meeting Logistics
Prepare solicitation meeting.
- Meeting scheduled in appropriate setting (private, unhurried)?
- All members of ask team briefed on roles?
- Likely objections and responses prepared?
- Pledge agreement or gift commitment form available?
Post-Solicitation Planning
Plan post-solicitation follow-up.
- Immediate thank-you plan within 24 hours regardless of outcome?
- Pledge documentation and payment schedule plan prepared?
- Long-term stewardship plan for new or upgraded major donor prepared?
- Solicitation meeting notes to be entered in CRM within 24 hours?
- Next step (regardless of outcome) identified before leaving meeting?
Related Nonprofit Checklists
- Nonprofit Donor Acknowledgment and Gift Substantiation Audit
- Nonprofit Gift Acceptance Policy and Unusual Gift Review
- Nonprofit Donor Database Hygiene and Data Quality Audit
- Nonprofit Major Donor Stewardship Program Audit
- Nonprofit Technology and Data Security Annual Review
- Nonprofit Grant Reporting Calendar and Deadline Management
- Nonprofit Program Staff Supervision and Performance Management
- Nonprofit Board Committee Effectiveness Review
Related Donor Relations Checklists
- Nonprofit Donor Database Hygiene and Data Quality Audit - FREE Download
- Nonprofit Major Donor Stewardship Program Audit - FREE Download
- Nonprofit Pledge Tracking and Fulfillment Management - FREE Download
- Nonprofit Annual Fund Performance Analysis - FREE Download
- Nonprofit Donor Acknowledgment and Gift Substantiation Audit - FREE Download
- Nonprofit Gift Acceptance Policy and Unusual Gift Review - FREE Download
Why Use This Nonprofit Major Gift Cultivation and Solicitation Strategy?
This nonprofit major gift cultivation and solicitation strategy helps nonprofit teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for major gifts officer / executive director professionals, this checklist covers 28 critical inspection points across 6 sections. Recommended frequency: per major gift solicitation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Nonprofit Major Gift Cultivation and Solicitation Strategy cover?
This checklist covers 28 inspection items across 6 sections: Prospect Qualification, Cultivation History Review, Ask Strategy, Proposal and Materials, Solicitation Meeting Logistics, Post-Solicitation Planning. It is designed for nonprofit operations and compliance.
How often should this checklist be completed?
This checklist should be completed per major gift solicitation. Each completion takes approximately 3-4 hours.
Who should use this Nonprofit Major Gift Cultivation and Solicitation Strategy?
This checklist is designed for Major Gifts Officer / Executive Director professionals in the nonprofit industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.
Can I download this checklist as a PDF?
Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.