Closing a $1M gift isn’t luck—it’s strategy. Join Alyssa Wright Apr 8 | 9–12 PM ET for a FREE workshop to decode donors, build trust, pitch confidently, and navigate the ask like a pro. 🎯

Register now: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

#MajorGifts #Nonprofit #Fundraising

Meet the Couple Behind a New $50 Million Windfall for Caltech L.A. donor couple Kent Kresa and Lynn Booth discuss their philanthropic evolution, their deep ties to Caltech, and the decision to go in with a big gift.

L.A. donor couple Kent Kresa and Lynn Booth discuss their philanthropic evolution, their deep ties to Caltech, and the decision to go in with a big gift.

Ade Adeniji (@adeadeniji.bsky.social) Reports: tinyurl.com/mr3tr5a3

#MajorGifts #HigherEducation #STEMPhilanthropy #AerospaceEngineering

Mountain climbers know this: “The summit is optional. The descent is mandatory.”

This week on The Breakthru Podcast, I share why leaving margin for the descent matters.

🎧 Listen to the full episode (11m 20s):
buff.ly/8qxZMOE

#majorgifts #fundraising #momentum

🔮Celebrate the consideration of a gift - not to pressure, but to honor the discernment and love behind it.

In a world full of polished decks and transactional asks… surprise your folks with something real.

#majorgifts #fun #fundraising

✨ Try this: Ask your top five givers this fall, “What are you most excited about outside of work?”

Then listen well.

#majorgifts #curiosity #fundraising

This week on The Breakthru Podcast, I unpack the “climbing step” disciplines that keep you steady all the way to December 31.

🎧 Listen to the full episode (11m 20s):
buff.ly/8qxZMOE

Short enough for your next coffee break.

#majorgifts #fundraising #climbing

💖Name something they’ve taught you - then tell them. Most people never get to hear the wisdom they’ve passed on.

Delight doesn’t need to cost much. It just needs to be authentic and specific.

What’s something small that made a big impact on you this past year?

#majorgifts #delight #fundraising

Read The Mountain | J.Paul Fridenmaker - Major Gift Fundraising Courses & Consulting Sometimes you may need to turn around...

The Breakthru Blog this week shares simple “climbing step” disciplines that keep you strong all the way to December 31. Check it out and let me know what you think.
buff.ly/hDFLWsw

#majorgifts #burnout #fundraising

J.Paul's weekly Breakthru Guide Reflections and pro tips on major gift fundraising.

📬 Subscribers are already reading it this weekend. The blog version won’t drop until 10 days later.

Get the early edition free here:
buff.ly/7uDRdkV

#majorgifts #fundraising #momentum

“I’m in the business of human emotion.” Yesterday, like 21 million others on YouTube, I stumbled upon the Taylor Swift interview on the New Heights podcast. I don’t know Swift’s music well, but I… | Marcus Sheridan | 46 comments “I’m in the business of human emotion.” Yesterday, like 21 million others on YouTube, I stumbled upon the Taylor Swift interview on the New Heights podcast. I don’t know Swift’s music well, but I was…

And last but not least, Marcus Sheridan shares one line that explains why Taylor Swift is one of the most successful artists of all time - buff.ly/w0YZJ36

Thanks everyone!

#majorgifts #continuousimprovement #fundraising

#majorgifts #fundraising #yearend

Ever been there? 🥲🫠

#majorgifts #nonprofitevents #nonprofitgala #fundraisingideas #fundraisingtips #nonprofitfundraiser #nonprofitlife

J.Paul's weekly Breakthru Guide Reflections and pro tips on major gift fundraising.

Get it free in your inbox every Saturday morning: buff.ly/jiy2g7R

#majorgifts #fundraising #climbing

#majorgifts #swedishdeathclean #fundraising

We want our givers to feel valued, not fatigued - our legacy need not be “too many emails,” but rather “deep, thoughtful partnership.”

That’s something worth simplifying for.

#majorgifts #swedishdeathclean #fundraising

The result? A leaner, more intentional communication style that leaves givers feeling seen - not spammed.

And isn’t that the kind of legacy we want to leave? Clean. Clear. Connected.

#majorgifts #swedishdeathclean #fundraising

If you work with major givers, you’ll see yourself in this story. It’s available in both written and audio formats.

Check it out and let me know what you think!
buff.ly/m5deygb

#majorgifts #relationshipbuilding #fundraising

J.Paul's weekly Breakthru Guide Reflections and pro tips on major gift fundraising.

I share my thoughts on how to discern when to press ahead - and when to turn back.

👉 Get the full reflection for free by signing up here:
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#majorgifts #discernment #fundraising

#mystorytellingjourney | Ravishankar Iyer | 16 comments It was the late 1980s—I was about 9 years old. At my dad's company, there was a get-together with family. Kids were encouraged to come, go on stage and perform (typically sing). I was a movie songs…

And last but not least, Ravishankar Iyer encourages us to stop singing in the bedroom… Seize the day - buff.ly/r2NNWvZ

Thanks everyone!

#majorgifts #upyourgame #fundraising

J.Paul's weekly Breakthru Guide Reflections and pro tips on major gift fundraising.

The Breakthru Guide went out to subscribers this morning and shares simple “climbing step” disciplines that keep you strong all the way to December 31.

👉 Sign up for free to receive it every Saturday morning:
buff.ly/yX0Nlmz

#majorgifts #burnout #fundraising

J.Paul's weekly Breakthru Guide Reflections and pro tips on major gift fundraising.

Tomorrow’s Breakthru Guide helps subscribers unpack how to read these “cloud beanies” in your portfolio before Q4 heats up.

👉 Get it in your inbox for free every Saturday morning - 10 days before everyone else:
buff.ly/yX0Nlmz

#majorgifts #cloudbeanies #fundraising

The weather will shift again. The summit will still be there.

What signs are you seeing right now that tell you to press forward - or to pause and wait?

#majorgifts #cloudbeanies #fundraising

Step by step, what once felt impossible becomes a summit photo.

When you look at your Q4 “mountain,” what’s the very next step you can take today?

#majorgifts #onestepatatime #fundraising

What’s one discipline that helps you keep breathing when the year-end climb gets steep?

#majorgifts #climbingstep #fundraising

🥪A Delicious (tax) Sandwich | J.Paul Fridenmaker - Major Gift Fundraising Courses & Consulting A Tiny Deduction With Big Implications

If you work in major gifts or messaging, this one’s for you.
Check it out and let me know what you think.
buff.ly/sLO6Ts7

#majorgifts #midlevelgiving #fundraising

You only get 1 discovery question to use for the next 6 months, what are you asking? | Jon DeLange 🤝 | 64 comments You only get 1 discovery question to use for the next 6 months, what are you asking? I'll go first in the comments. Alternative: What's the best donor discovery question you've ever heard or been…

And last but not least, Jon DeLange 🤝 sparked a great discussion thread with a simple question: If you get only one discovery question to use for the next 6 months, what are you asking? buff.ly/dlunZ4M

Thanks everyone!

#majorgifts #everydayimhustlin #fundraising

J.Paul's weekly Breakthru Guide Reflections and pro tips on major gift fundraising.

If you work with major givers, you’ll see yourself in this story.
Free to subscribe:
👉 buff.ly/y0Do1vp

#majorgifts #relationshipbuilding #fundraising

#majorgifts #storytelling #fundraising

Where can you find the best major gift prospects? 🔍

They're the donors who are already giving to you in your mid-level program!

Learn more: https://youtu.be/9TWUzhbtJmA

#majorgifts #majorgiftfundraising

#majorgifts #relationshipbuilding #fundraising