How to attract Major Donors

Britain’s very wealthiest people gave over £3.75 billion to charity in 2019, according to the Sunday Times’ ‘Rich List’.

Over 10 years, between 2006 and 2016, nearly £15bn was given to charity in £1m+ donations alone. Coutts Million Pound Donor Report 2017

Tarnside Fundraising Consultants have helped clients big and small secure the support of major donors. The support of major donors is transformative. Beyond the donation itself their support gives:

  • Credibility to the cause
  • Leadership others will follow
  • A catalyst to change
  • Expertise
  • Long term relationships
  • A step-change in fundraising potential for the future.

Smart organisations focus their efforts on their major donors. Less smart organisations complain of their lack of luck.

Tarnside fundraising consultants helps our clients deliver success by:

  • Identifying people that have the potential to be major donors
  • Using an ‘orbits of interest’ model to map your current networks
  • Telling your fundraising story in a compelling and inspiring way
  • Engaging the wider organisation in backing the process via Step Change Workshops LINK
  • Coaching your Champions and Senior Leadership Team to be effective at asking
  • Building authentic relationships which take your potential major donors on a journey of involvement up the curve of involvement LINK

Major donors may start their relationship with cause as “prospects” they should finish as trusted friends and advisors

In successful fundraising campaigns, fewer than 20% of donors will contribute more than 80% of the funding.

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Tarnside's Fundraising Models

My colleagues are excited by the potential of engaging people with our work in a truly meaningful way, and are prepared to actively contribute to make it happen. It’s not something one person can achieve in isolation – you need the whole organisation to be behind it; ensuring it is an intrinsic part of our individual job roles.

Julie Platt
Fundraising Manager, Chester Zoo