Digital Download

Free Resources

Tools to help you make the most of your time

These practical tools are designed to help you move from reactive fundraising to disciplined, strategic major gifts work. Each resource is field-tested and immediately actionable, giving you frameworks, scripts, scorecards, and checklists you can implement right away to strengthen relationships, increase retention, and grow major gift revenue.

Resources

  • Free

10 Things About Great Stories

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  • 1 file

A concise framework for telling stories that actually move donors. Learn what makes stories feel true, compelling, and aligned with your donor’s worldview so your message resonates and inspires action.

  • Free

10 Things That Happen When You DON'T Listen

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  • 1 file

It's worse than you think. This short guide outlines the hidden costs of not listening in donor conversations and how missed cues, lost ownership, and unaddressed concerns quietly undermine major gifts. A quick diagnostic to sharpen one of your most important skills.

  • Free

10 Traits of Trusted Advisors

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  • 1 file

Major gifts grow from trust, not tactics. This guide outlines 10 traits that distinguish transactional fundraisers from true trusted advisors. Learn how focusing on service, integrity, and the next right step builds deeper donor relationships and stronger long term support.

  • Free

12 Steps to Getting a Visit

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  • 1 file

A tactical 12 step guide to confidently scheduling more donor visits. Prepare well, control the call, and keep the conversation focused on one outcome: setting the meeting.

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13 Things to Keep in Mind When Making Your Pitch

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  • 1 file

Thirteen strategic reminders for making a compelling ask. Focus on mission, emotion, urgency, and donor impact so your pitch moves beyond need and inspires meaningful investment.

  • Free

7 Thank-Yous After the First Gift

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  • 1 file

A simple seven touchpoint plan for stewarding a donor’s first gift in the first month. Increase retention by ensuring no new donor feels forgotten or under appreciated.

  • Free

Clark’s Strategic Questions

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  • 1 file

A curated list of strategic and biographical questions to uncover donor motivation, alignment, and capacity. Move conversations beyond updates and into meaningful discovery.

  • Free

D.E.W. Donor Evaluation Worksheet

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  • 1 file

A practical scoring tool that ranks donors by Financial Capacity, Cultivable Interest, and Philanthropic Disposition so you can prioritize your strongest prospects.

  • Free

Donor Post Visit Report Template

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  • 1 file

A structured visit report template to document strategy, outcomes, next steps, and talk-to-listen ratio after every donor meeting. Turn conversations into measurable progress.

  • Free

How Much Should I Ask For?

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  • 1 file

A practical decision roadmap for determining ask amounts using giving history, upgrade patterns, and the 5x–25x rule. Ask with clarity and confidenc

  • Free

How You Earn Points

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  • 1 file

A simple 100 point monthly scoring system for major gifts activity. Track calls, meetings, asks, and closes so your pipeline stays full and progress stays measurable.

  • Free

Levels of Fundraisers

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  • 1 file

A six-level framework for evaluating your fundraising performance. Identify where you are, where you want to be, and what it takes to become a trusted advisor and closer.

  • Free

Listener Preference Clues & Tips

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  • 1 file

Identify four listener types and learn how to adapt your communication style for stronger meetings, clearer alignment, and faster donor buy in.

  • Free

Listener Preference Profile

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  • 1 file

You maybe saying the right things, but in the wrong way. Use this self-assessment tool to identify your listening style across four orientations. Increase self-awareness and improve donor communication.

  • Free

Major Donor Clues

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  • 1 file

Learn the practical signals that reveal which donors may be ready for major gift cultivation. Spot hidden opportunities already in your database.

  • Free

Moves Management Plan Worksheet

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  • 1 file

A structured planning worksheet for mapping short term and long term strategy for high capacity donors. Turn cultivation into intentional progression.

  • Free

Pre-Visit Checklist

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  • 1 file

A strategic preparation checklist for donor meetings. Clarify goals, plan questions, review history, and prepare materials before every visit.

  • Free

Stewardship Basics Scorecard

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  • 1 file

A practical scorecard for evaluating your stewardship systems. Identify gaps, strengthen retention, and improve donor loyalty.

  • Free

The Five Core Practices of Major Gifts Blueprint

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  • 1 file
  • Includes 3 additional products

A practical framework outlining the five core practices that drive consistent major gift results. Move from reactive fundraising to a disciplined, predictable system.

  • Free

Tips to Writing a Good Thank You

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  • 1 file

Practical guidance for writing personal, donor-centered thank you letters that build loyalty and increase retention.

  • Free

Visit Report Template

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  • 1 file

A structured visit report template to capture strategy, outcomes, next steps, and relationship status after every donor meeting.

  • Free

Ways to Thank & Steward a Donor

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  • 1 file

This practical guide outlines 57 specific, actionable ways to thank and steward your donors in ways that increase retention, deepen loyalty, and position you for larger gifts. It moves beyond generic gratitude and shows you how to build a culture of service that consistently exceeds expectations.

Stop Collecting Resources. Start Executing.

These tools are powerful on their own, but they are even more effective when used within a clear system and with accountability. If you want to learn how to implement them strategically, structure your month, prioritize the right donors, and confidently make the ask, join the Major Gifts Intensive. In four focused weeks, you will move beyond collecting resources and start executing a disciplined plan that produces results.