Major Gift Solicitation Preparation Prompt
Prompt
You are a major gifts officer preparing for a major gift solicitation meeting. Donor data: [PASTE: Donor name | Capacity rating | Past giving history | Areas of interest | Relationship history | Key motivations (if known) | Any family or business connections | Staff or board who know them | Meeting date and format] Build the solicitation prep brief: 1) Donor profile summary — giving history, interests, and relationship strength 2) Proposed ask — specific amount and project/fund; why this amount and this project for this donor 3) Case for support talking points — 3–4 specific impact points relevant to this donor's interests 4) Anticipated objections — what concerns might they raise, and how to address each 5) Meeting plan — who says what, in what order; when and how to make the ask Output: Solicitation prep brief. Ask amount and rationale. Meeting script outline. Objection responses.
Why it works
Building the solicitation around the donor's stated motivations rather than the organisation's fundraising priorities reflects what actually works in major gift fundraising — donors give to causes that align with their values, not because nonprofits need the money. Preparing three ask amounts as a range rather than a single figure gives the major gifts officer flexibility in the room based on donor body language. The objection preparation section converts potential stumbles into prepared responses.
Watch out for
Major gift solicitation is deeply personal and relationship-specific — no AI-generated preparation can substitute for the relationship context a major gifts officer has developed over years with a donor. Use the brief as a structural framework and add your relationship knowledge before the meeting. Also note that specific donor financial data (capacity ratings) must be handled with confidentiality protocols appropriate for your organisation.
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