For smaller nonprofit organizations, one of the biggest challenges you can face is building out a robust donor management strategy.

It’s a little-known fact that planned giving has one of the highest ROIs (return on investment) of any fundraising activity, contributing to the fact that pursuing gifts from wills and trusts is rarely a key mission funding practice among the average American nonprofit.

The major giving season of ever year is literally upon us. November and December often provide a majority of the funds raised for nonprofits from individuals annually. You do not want to miss out!

Over the last few months I have heard the terms “donor-centric” and “donor-centricity” being tossed around in various discussions, conference presentations and even a few blog posts like this one.

So much is written every month in various nonprofit publications and blog posts regarding the insights and best practices revolving around fundraising. Virtually all of them are truly insightful and can lead to greater successes.

A recently retired golfing friend of mine was rejoicing in the volunteer work he was doing for a local nonprofit. He stated: “It has literally changed my life and my purpose as I am living these wonderful senior years!”

Major gifts and major gift donors are defined in various ways. Suffice to say, they are the backbone of any major campaign and of virtually all giving for every nonprofit relying mostly on fundraising funds to sustain their budget and mission. This is especially true when you consider that 12% of donors provide 88% of all dollars given.

The issue of personalization arises in virtually every conversation pertaining to donor communications. Personalized communication can result in revenue increases ranging from sublime to off-the-charts.

In 1992 I had the absolute pleasure of working with numerous nonprofits and their fundraising throughout Europe. During that year, I was handed a copy of a revolutionary new book on fundraising techniques and principles. The book was Relationship Fundraising authored by a Scotsman with the name of Ken Burnett.