Building and Managing a Major Donor Portfolio
A practical course for structuring, sizing and reviewing a major donor portfolio — so it’s a working commitment, not a list of rich people.
What you will learn
Eight lessons that build the portfolio as a working commitment — entry rules, tiers, coverage, sizing, hygiene and the review rhythm that keeps it honest.
Building and Managing a Major Donor Portfolio
Eight lessons that build the portfolio as a working commitment — entry rules, tiers, coverage, sizing, hygiene and the review rhythm that keeps it honest.
1 Define What a Major Donor Portfolio Is
Distinguishes a working portfolio from a prospect list, wealth-screening output, board list or CRM segment.
2 Decide Who Belongs in the Portfolio
Sets portfolio-entry rules at architecture level, referencing the separate qualification standard.
3 Build Portfolio Tiers
Creates practical tiers based on relationship priority, likely value, complexity and coverage need.
4 Set Coverage Expectations
Defines what different tiers are owed in attention, contact, preparation and follow-through.
5 Size the Portfolio Responsibly
Helps managers decide whether a portfolio is serviceable using role, donor complexity and support capacity.
6 Keep the Portfolio Clean
Identifies stale, duplicated, misassigned and low-evidence donors and decides what to do with them.
7 Run the Portfolio Review Rhythm
Designs the review meeting, questions and decision rules that keep the portfolio active.
8 Handle Pressure, Exceptions and Removal Decisions
Manages board favourites, CEO-added names, wealthy but cold prospects and removal decisions with no clean answer.
A practical fit for teams building major giving.
Learn how to define portfolio entry, build tiers, set coverage expectations, keep the portfolio clean and handle removal decisions.
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers for fundraising leaders deciding whether this course fits their team, training needs and practical workflow.
Is this a general introduction to major gifts? +
No. It assumes the organisation already has qualified major donors and focuses specifically on building the portfolio structure around them.
Is it only for major gift officers? +
No. It’s built for major gift officers, philanthropy managers, development directors and the fundraising leaders who set portfolio policy.
How long is the course? +
The course contains 8 lessons. Lesson reading time totals roughly 80–95 minutes, with practical portfolio-review work likely taking it into the 2–3 hour range.
Is the course Australian-specific? +
Yes. The lessons use Australian giving and wealth evidence throughout, while drawing carefully on relevant international research where useful.
Does it include realistic scenarios, not just theory? +
Yes. It includes fundraising moments built around board members insisting on wealthy acquaintances, donors stalled for eighteen months, and CEOs adding “important names” before a campaign.
What should a team be able to do by the end? +
A team should be able to define portfolio entry, build working tiers, set coverage expectations, size the portfolio responsibly, keep it clean and run a disciplined review rhythm.
Building and Managing a Major Donor Portfolio
Turn your major donor list into a working portfolio your team can actually service — and defend under pressure.
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