Book Review: Major Gifts Ramp-Up THE MOVEMENT
Book Review: Major Gifts Ramp-Up THE MOVEMENT is fundraising veteran Jacque Daley-Perrin’s take on Joanne Oppelt and Jimmy LaRose’s new book Major Gifts Ramp-Up: Money is Oxygen, Without It, Charities Can’t Breathe. Perrin is a senior fundraising counselor with Development Systems International. Here’s what she has to share:
When I first opened Major Gifts Ramp-Up: Money Is Oxygen—Without It, Charities Can’t Breathe, I wasn’t expecting just another fundraising book—I was seeking a transformative experience. With over two decades of experience as a development executive in higher education and healthcare, having raised over $30 million through comprehensive campaigns, I know the typical advice inside and out. Recently, as I’ve transitioned to serving smaller nonprofits, I’ve seen how many organizations are trapped on the “technique-driven fundraising events hamster wheel”—constantly running but never making lasting progress. I knew there had to be a better, more sustainable framework for these nonprofits to break free and thrive.
This book, written by Joanne Oppelt and Jimmy LaRose, delivers just that—and far more. It offers a complete reimagining of how nonprofits approach major gifts fundraising, providing a dynamic and transformative model that empowers organizations of all sizes to achieve their goals and secure the financial stability they need to fulfill their missions.
Book Review: Major Gifts Ramp-Up THE MOVEMENT
Beyond the Basics: A Full Organizational Framework
What sets Major Gifts Ramp-Up apart is its holistic approach. This isn’t just a fundraising playbook; it’s a guide to reshaping your entire organizational mindset. The authors emphasize that successful fundraising is built on a foundation of organizational development, strategic leadership, and a commitment to growth. The book meticulously outlines how every part of an organization—from the board and CEO to frontline staff—plays a role in securing transformational gifts.
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Take Chapter One: “Management Philosophy – Go Where the Gold Is.” This chapter reframes the role of nonprofit leadership by presenting a powerful case for prioritizing financial capacity building over program expansion. Through the cautionary tale of Ted, a CEO who learns the hard way that passion for the mission isn’t enough without sustainable funding, Oppelt and LaRose highlight the critical need for CEOs to embrace fundraising as a primary responsibility. This isn’t just theory—it’s a wake-up call for leaders who may be too focused on delivery while neglecting the financial oxygen that keeps the organization alive.
A Practical Roadmap: Step-by-Step Guidance
The book doesn’t stop at broad philosophies; it gives you a detailed 13-step model for ramping up major gifts. The authors offer a clear, actionable roadmap, making it easy to follow the process and implement it, no matter your nonprofit’s size.
Chapter Six: “Prospect Identification – How You Know Everyone” is particularly compelling. In a sector where many nonprofits struggle to identify major donors, this chapter demystifies the process of finding “millionaires in your backyard.” The authors present a systematic method for building and segmenting prospect lists, leveraging existing community connections, and using cost-effective tools to uncover high-net-worth individuals. This chapter empowers nonprofits to believe that the wealth they need to achieve their mission is often closer than they think—and that they can access it with the right strategy.
Real Stories, Real Impact
One of the book’s standout features is its story-driven approach. Each chapter opens and ends with real-life scenarios that illustrate the principles in action. These stories provide a human touch, helping readers see themselves and their organizations in the challenges and triumphs described. For example, Chapter Seven introduces the concept of a host committee and walks through how engaging community leaders in the development of a case for support can lead to transformative relationships. The stories are not just inspiring—they are instructional, offering a blueprint for turning prospects into passionate advocates.
A Bold Challenge to Tradition
What I appreciate most about Major Gifts Ramp-Up: Money Is Oxygen—Without It, Charities Can’t Breathe is its willingness to challenge conventional wisdom. In Chapter Eleven: “Campaign Interviews – No More Feasibility Studies,” the authors make a compelling argument against the traditional practice of feasibility studies. Drawing from personal experience, LaRose reveals how feasibility studies often fall short of providing the insights necessary for successful campaigns. Instead, the authors advocate for direct campaign interviews with potential donors. This approach is refreshingly transparent, focusing on listening to donors and tailoring your campaign based on real, actionable feedback.
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This chapter resonated with me deeply. Having had similar experiences with feasibility studies, it’s a reminder that successful fundraising isn’t about following outdated scripts—it’s about adaptability, authenticity, and engagement.
Hope and a Clear Path Forward
Ultimately, Major Gifts Ramp-Up: Money Is Oxygen—Without It, Charities Can’t Breathe, is a book of hope and empowerment. Nonprofit leaders who feel overwhelmed, under-resourced, and stuck in scarcity mode will find not just encouragement, but a clear, practical path to growth. The book equips readers with the tools to identify donors, engage them meaningfully, and secure the gifts that will fuel their missions.
Oppelt and LaRose have created more than a guide—they’ve created a movement. By focusing on the oxygen of money and the critical infrastructure needed to support fundraising, they offer a sustainable, scalable approach to nonprofit success.
In Conclusion: If you’re ready to rethink your approach to major gifts and embrace a model that prioritizes sustainability, growth, and authentic relationships, Major Gifts Ramp-Up: Money Is Oxygen—Without It, Charity Can’t Breathe is your roadmap. This book is not just for fundraisers—it’s for CEOs, board members, and anyone committed to seeing their nonprofit thrive. Whether you’ve attended a two-day Major Gifts Ramp-Up Conference and want a refresher, or if you’ve never heard of the Major Gifts Ramp-Up model, this book will serve as a comprehensive guide and constant companion on your fundraising journey. It will equip you with practical strategies, real-world examples, and a clear roadmap to transform your approach to major gifts. With Major Gifts Ramp-Up: Money Is Oxygen—Without It, Charity Can’t Breathe, you’ll gain the insights, inspiration, and tools needed to unlock the financial oxygen that fuels your mission and propels your nonprofit toward lasting success.
Read it, absorb it, and prepare to breathe new life into your organization.
VISIT HERE TO PURCHASE YOUR COPY OF MAJOR GIFTS RAMP-UP THE BOOK ON AMAZON
Book Review: Major Gifts Ramp-Up THE MOVEMENT was first posted at NANOE
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About Jacque Daley-Perrin:
Jacque is a highly experienced, dedicated and results-oriented resource development leader with an expansive and a demonstrated track record of helping organizations build capacity to grow their mission. Through leadership roles with public and private Universities, a community Hospital a Community College and a Regional Medical Center, she has leveraged her organizational, and communication skills to build relationships with diverse stakeholders, and prioritize complex projects. As a conscientious, diplomatic, and collaborative leader, and an innovative and resourceful problem solver, she has worked with cross functional teams, departments, agencies, and organizations to focus on proactively solving complex problems to enhance the organizations mission and impact. Jacque is a major gifts fundraising expert and senior counselor with Development Systems International.
