Crafting Irresistible Proposals for Major Donors
A practical course for turning donor insight and organisational priorities into a written offer that actually supports a decision.
What you will learn
Eight lessons that turn organisational priorities and donor insight into a decision-ready written offer — opportunity, gift menu, language, evidence and follow-up.
Crafting Irresistible Proposals for Major Donors
Eight lessons that turn organisational priorities and donor insight into a decision-ready written offer — opportunity, gift menu, language, evidence and follow-up.
1 Define the Job of a Major Donor Proposal
Separates a proposal from a case for support, campaign brochure, internal project plan and live ask.
2 Translate Donor Insight Into Proposal Strategy
Decides what to emphasise, omit and personalise based on known donor motivation and context.
3 Package the Fundable Opportunity
Turns organisational need into a clear gift opportunity with problem, intervention, cost and donor role.
4 Build the Gift Menu
Designs gift options, ranges or staged commitments that help the donor choose.
5 Write Proposal Language That Carries Weight
Crafts the core written case: stakes, mission, specificity, proof, urgency and a clear invitation.
6 Show Evidence, Impact and Risk Honestly
Includes outcomes, budget logic and uncertainty in a way that builds trust rather than overwhelms.
7 Use Design, Structure and Follow-Up Materials Well
Decides format, length, visual hierarchy and follow-up notes that support donor decision-making.
8 Diagnose and Repair Weak Proposals
Identifies generic, under-costed, over-designed or unsupported proposals and revises them against a decision-document standard.
A practical fit for teams building major giving.
Learn how to package a fundable opportunity, build a gift menu, write persuasive case language and show impact and risk honestly.
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers for fundraising leaders deciding whether this course fits their team, training needs and practical workflow.
Is this a general grant-writing or case-for-support course? +
No. It’s built specifically for donor-fit major gift proposals — not broad campaign cases, grant applications or institutional brand messaging.
Is it only for professional writers? +
No. It’s built for major gift officers, development directors, campaign fundraisers and CEOs who contribute to or approve proposals.
How long is the course? +
The course contains 8 lessons. Lesson reading time totals roughly 85–100 minutes, with drafting and revision work likely taking it into the 2–3 hour range.
Is the course Australian-specific? +
Yes. The lessons use Australian donor behaviour and giving 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 proposals that lead with strategic plans instead of donor interest, and board members whose “improvements” strip out the concrete invitation.
What should a team be able to do by the end? +
A team should be able to translate donor insight into strategy, package a fundable opportunity, build a gift menu, write persuasive case language and diagnose weak proposals before they reach a donor.
Crafting Irresistible Proposals for Major Donors
Turn your next major gift opportunity into a written proposal that actually helps the donor decide.
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