Open the Door to Larger Donations
Many nonprofit fundraising appeals focus on cash gifts — but for most donors, cash represents only a small portion of their giving potential. Most household wealth is held in assets such as retirement accounts, donor advised funds, and appreciated securities. When nonprofits know how to talk with donors about giving from these assets, they can open the door to larger, more strategic gifts.
This webinar will help nonprofit leaders, development staff, and board members understand the opportunity behind noncash giving. Participants will learn how gifts from IRAs, donor advised funds, stocks, and mutual funds can benefit both donors and organizations, including potential tax advantages and expanded giving capacity.
The session will also offer practical language for donor conversations and appeals, along with guidance on stewardship and acknowledgment practices for these gifts. Whether your organization is building an individual giving program or looking to grow major and legacy gifts, this workshop will help you reframe donor conversations around wealth, not just cash.
Takeaways
Participants will leave with:
- A clearer understanding of why asset-based giving can be a major opportunity for nonprofit fundraising.
- Familiarity with common noncash giving vehicles, including IRA qualified charitable distributions, donor advised funds, and appreciated stocks or mutual funds.
- Practical language for helping donors understand the benefits of giving from assets rather than cash alone.
- Guidance on donor stewardship and acknowledgment practices for noncash gifts.
Presenters
Sally J. Cross is principal of SJ Cross Consulting. She was president of the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley from 2020 to 2023 and previously led fundraising efforts at CFHV, Montefiore Medical Center, SUNY New Paltz Foundation, Portland State University, and Oregon Wild.
About the Series
The Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley offers THRIVE, a capacity-building training series designed to strengthen local nonprofits through practical skill development, peer learning, and access to expert resources. The series helps organizations build the knowledge, tools, and connections they need to become more resilient, sustainable, and effective in serving their communities.
