What if the biggest mistake nonprofits make with major gifts is quitting too early?
In this episode of the Fit Fundraising Podcast, Roy Jones sits down with Michelle Porter, CEO and co-founder of Souls Harbour Rescue Mission, to unpack what really happens when an organization commits to building a major gift program from the ground up.
Michelle shares her firsthand experience launching major donor meetings in the middle of rapid organizational growth, what surprised her most about donors, and why the first meeting is rarely where the biggest gifts happen. From learning to listen instead of pitch, to discovering that authenticity outperforms polish, this conversation pulls back the curtain on what sustainable major giving actually looks like.
You’ll hear why year one is the hardest, how donor relationships compound over time, and how simple practices like stewardship meetings and personal communication can transform not just revenue, but culture across an organization.
This episode is for nonprofit leaders, executives, and development teams who know major gifts matter but feel overwhelmed, underprepared, or unsure where to start.
If you’ve ever thought, “We tried major gifts and it didn’t work,” this conversation may change everything.