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The Science Behind Major Gifts: A New Framework for Fundraising
Manage episode 520478892 series 2995298
This episode explores a scientific and psychologically informed approach to major gift fundraising with Bill Crouch, CEO of BrightDot. Bill shares his journey from higher education leadership to developing a consultancy built around understanding emotional intelligence and the balance of left-brain and right-brain thinking in fundraising. He explains how successful major gift work requires both analytical structure and creative relational engagement, and how teams can better leverage these strengths—whether through tailored roles, environmental triggers, or deeper insight into donor motivations. The conversation highlights practical strategies, including how to think like a high-wealth donor, how to build teams that blend data and human connection, and why understanding a donor’s “heart” is essential to securing transformational gifts.
Get free nonprofit professional development resources, connections to cause work peers, and more at https://nonprofithub.org
Chapters
1. Sponsor Message & Welcome (00:00:00)
2. Bill’s Path To Major Gifts (00:00:21)
3. Magic And Logic: Left vs Right Brain (00:02:06)
4. Building Teams Around Brain Strengths (00:05:45)
5. One-Person Shops: Switching Modes (00:09:33)
6. Training Left-Brain Leaders To Connect (00:13:02)
7. Sponsor Break (00:16:00)
8. Think Like A Donor, Not A Database (00:16:51)
9. The Childhood Toy Question (00:20:01)
10. Hiring For Persistence And EQ (00:23:05)
11. Use Board And Faculty As Matchmakers (00:25:16)
12. Shift From Expenses To Investments (00:28:02)
13. Leading Diverse Teams Without Replacing Staff (00:29:21)
14. Celebrate Small Wins And Stretch (00:32:02)
15. Who Bright Dot Serves And How (00:33:21)
216 episodes
Manage episode 520478892 series 2995298
This episode explores a scientific and psychologically informed approach to major gift fundraising with Bill Crouch, CEO of BrightDot. Bill shares his journey from higher education leadership to developing a consultancy built around understanding emotional intelligence and the balance of left-brain and right-brain thinking in fundraising. He explains how successful major gift work requires both analytical structure and creative relational engagement, and how teams can better leverage these strengths—whether through tailored roles, environmental triggers, or deeper insight into donor motivations. The conversation highlights practical strategies, including how to think like a high-wealth donor, how to build teams that blend data and human connection, and why understanding a donor’s “heart” is essential to securing transformational gifts.
Get free nonprofit professional development resources, connections to cause work peers, and more at https://nonprofithub.org
Chapters
1. Sponsor Message & Welcome (00:00:00)
2. Bill’s Path To Major Gifts (00:00:21)
3. Magic And Logic: Left vs Right Brain (00:02:06)
4. Building Teams Around Brain Strengths (00:05:45)
5. One-Person Shops: Switching Modes (00:09:33)
6. Training Left-Brain Leaders To Connect (00:13:02)
7. Sponsor Break (00:16:00)
8. Think Like A Donor, Not A Database (00:16:51)
9. The Childhood Toy Question (00:20:01)
10. Hiring For Persistence And EQ (00:23:05)
11. Use Board And Faculty As Matchmakers (00:25:16)
12. Shift From Expenses To Investments (00:28:02)
13. Leading Diverse Teams Without Replacing Staff (00:29:21)
14. Celebrate Small Wins And Stretch (00:32:02)
15. Who Bright Dot Serves And How (00:33:21)
216 episodes
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