Major Gift
A major gift is a significant charitable donation — the threshold varies by organization but typically represents the top 10-20% of gifts by dollar amount.
A major gift is a large charitable donation that exceeds a nonprofit's defined threshold for elevated attention and stewardship. There's no universal dollar amount — a $1,000 gift is major for a small grassroots organization; a $100,000 gift might be the starting point for a large university.
Why It Matters for Fundraising
Major gifts typically account for 60-80% of total fundraising revenue at most nonprofits, making them the single most important revenue source. A successful major gift program requires relationship-based fundraising — personal meetings, cultivation events, and individualized proposals. The return on investment for major gift fundraising far exceeds any other channel.
The Major Gift Process
Major gift fundraising follows a cycle: identification (finding prospects with capacity and affinity), qualification (confirming interest), cultivation (building the relationship), solicitation (making the ask), and stewardship (thanking and reporting). This cycle typically takes 6-18 months per donor and requires dedicated staff attention.