First few Article Sentences
To sustain your foundation's programs long term, you need to go after Major Gifts, which typically account for 40% of funding. The Major Gifts Officer (MGO) directs this goal by raising the lion's share of gift income and cultivating donors for continuous, decades-long giving. This means having a strong MGO who is committed to your mission and has good reasons to stay with your foundation.
A high-performing MGO is a major asset, but it takes an average of 24 months for him to reach his stride in a new organization. Most MGOs also stay only 16 months on the job, putting many foundations in a revolving talent deficit for this mission-critical role.