Overcoming Internal Barriers to Major Gifts

The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast · Nov 3, 2026 · 22m

A salary is certain. A gift is a gamble. That's what one CFO told his development director.

She left his office sure she'd lost.

Her program director was worried a big donor would hijack the mission.

A board member said, "Our donors just don't give like that."

Three skeptics. Three different fears.

So she stopped pushing and started asking one question:

"What would need to be true for you to feel good about this?"

The answers led to a 90-day pilot. No new hire. Twenty donor visits. The program director came along on a few. The CFO helped decide how to measure success.

Three gifts over…