Marcy’s More Major Gift Habits You Need
Marcy’s More Major Gift Habits You Need
Every day you already live by habits. Some are intentional, like your morning coffee or your workout routine. Others happen almost without thinking—scrolling through your phone, feeding the cats, or wrangling little ones.
But here’s the question: What if you could build habits that directly grew your major gifts?
Think about it. Your results aren’t just about strategy or even about talent. They’re about the simple, repeatable actions you take every day.
And yes, some of your current habits may not be helping you inspire generosity. The great news? You can change them. Because here’s the truth about habits:
- Bad habits don’t disappear—they get replaced. If you want to break a draining routine, you need to intentionally swap it out with something better.
- Good habits are clear habits. You have to decide exactly what you want, or you’ll never know what to repeat.
So…. what’s are “good habits” for a development professional?
I call them Marcy’s More Major Gift Habits. Here’s a simple 30-day plan:
30-Day More Major Gift Habits
- Showcase Impact (2/month). Create moments where your donors see your mission in action—small tours, a student showcase, or a behind-the-scenes gathering.
- Coffee Talks (8/month). Personal check-ins, in person or over Zoom. Light, conversational, donor centered.
- Generosity Sparks (90/month = 3/day). This is the gold. Short, genuine touches—joy jolts – acts of caring. Phone messages, quick texts, short notes—that simply say, “We’re thinking of you.” They are a mix of current donors, stewardship, new potential givers.
- Giving Conversations (5/month). Planned opportunities where you make an artful ask (hello, 3-sentence formula!).
Here’s the thing: Generosity Sparks are the most important habit. They plant seeds, deepen trust, create an experience (that may be just the good feel listening to your message) and set the stage for every comfortable giving conversation.
Every day you must start your day with them. Three touches before you dive into email or meetings. Imagine leaving this message:
“Good morning, Gladys! Marcy here, just calling to say hello and happy fall. We’ve started our youth programs for the season, and it’s wonderful to see young people back in action. Take good care—and thank you for caring about our work.”
That’s it. Thirty seconds. Done. And the ripple effect is enormous.
Texts and emails count too—but don’t overcomplicate them. The point is consistency. Three touches, every day. Yes, I am including weekends. Repeat your core donors monthly and sprinkle in new names.
AND – this is very important – it’s 3 a day. You reset everyday regardless of the day before. The next day you start again with 3 a day. You don’t add more if you miss a day. You don’t stock up before vacation.
Will it feel overwhelming? Only if you let it. The cure for overwhelm is always the same: make a decision. Decide that you want to build this habit. Decide to stay in touch. Decide to invest in JOY through generosity. Decide to SPARK GENEROSITY!
Because the truth is, major giving success isn’t about one big gala or one big ask. It’s about the habits that make generosity grow—one touch at a time.
Invest in Joy™
