New: Major Donor Fundraising Online Course
2026
Join the course that’s already empowered CEOs, Fundraising Directors and frontline fundraisers to secure transformational gifts and build lasting donor relationships - and now it's available wherever you are.
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Whether you're looking to recruit new major donors or elevate your existing strategy, this course gives you the tools, confidence, and insights to succeed.
5 day Online Course
Thursday 8th January 2026
Thursday 15th January 2026
Thursday 22nd January 2026
Thursday 29th January 2026
Thursday 5th February 2026​
Times
GMT: 2:00-5:00pm​
CET: 3:00-6:00pm​
EST: 9:00am-12:00pm
Your course instructor:
David Goldberg
With nearly four decades in the not-for-profit sector, David has always seen fundraising as a privilege. For the past 8 years, he's run the Major Donor Fundraising Course in person, helping charities build confident, strategic donor relationships. Now, he's excited to bring this proven course online for the first time - making it more accessible to fundraisers and charity leaders all over the world, ready to grow their major donor income.
Major Donors are the cornerstone of most charities.
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Now more than ever, as charities grapple with the challenges of income generation and searching for lead major donors for online matched giving campaigns, major donor fundraising is critical.
Finding the right people and bringing them on board is always a challenge.
This new five-day interactive online course will teach a unique model of major donor fundraising, the skills needed to bring in new major donors and give you the confidence to ask for major gifts yourself. There is also an opportunity to meet and interview a major donor, as well as a role play to practice your new skills.
Who is it for?
Anyone looking to deepen their skills in major donor fundraising, donor engagement, and strategic relationship-building.
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Live, bespoke, interactive training
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International cohort
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Role plays with feedback
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Conversation with a Major Donor
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1:1 follow up support
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What's included?
The Major Donor Cycle​
Identifying your next Major Donor
How to consider events for Major Donors
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Understand how to apply the major donor cycle - from identification to stewardship - to build long-term, strategic relationships.
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Use tools and techniques to map your networks, analyse data, and spot individuals with both capacity and interest in your cause.
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Learn how to design and deliver events that create meaningful experiences and deepen engagement with major donors.
Course Content
Understanding Major Donors​
Why do Major Donors give?​​
Working in partnership with Trustees and Volunteers
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Learn how to uncover and align with the personal motivations, values, and passions that drive major donors to give generously.
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Discover how to engage trustees and volunteers as ambassadors who can help identify, connect with, and influence major donor prospects.
Strategy and Planning
Research and Preparation
Researching
Preparing the Ask
Setting up a meeting for an ask
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Master the art of researching donor backgrounds, interests, and giving history to tailor your approach effectively.
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Learn how to craft a compelling and confident ask that matches the donor’s values with your organisation’s needs.
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Find out how to secure and structure a meeting that sets the stage for a successful major gift conversation.
Engagement and Stewardship
Cultivating and engaging
Techniques, tips, and practice​
Thanking, recognition, and stewardship
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Explore how to build trust and rapport through personalised communication and consistent, thoughtful engagement.
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Practice proven techniques for donor conversations, including storytelling, active listening, and handling objections.
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Learn how to thank and steward donors in ways that make them feel appreciated, inspired, and eager to continue supporting your work.​
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Cost of the course:
£1,250 + VAT
Includes:
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• Course instruction
• Materials including summary slides after each session
• One hour follow-up one-to-one personal mentoring consultation
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Only 8 places available
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