Close $250,000+ Gifts with Confidence

Master the proven frameworks that scale organizations from $1M to $30M in major gifts, with AI-powered role-play coaching, modern moves management and prospecting strategies, interactive roundtables, expert panels, and 1-on-1 guidance from expert faculty.

Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising Seminar

October 19-21 / 11 AM ET - 5:30 PM ET / Virtual / 15 CFRE Points

Super Early Bird: $1,795 (save $200) - Ends August 14. Enter Code: MICG200EBO26 at checkout.

Limited Spots / Join 12,000+ Fundraisers / 4.9/5 Stars

Trusted by 12,000+ major gift fundraisers and nonprofit leaders around the world.

These 5 Challenges are Costing Your Organization Millions

You already know this feeling.

It's 3 PM on a Friday, and you're staring at an email from a prospect who said they'd follow up two months ago. Radio silence. Again.

Or worse, you finally secured a meeting with a major donor, but when it came time to ask, you froze. The words wouldn't come. And just like that, a six-figure opportunity walked out the door. 

Meanwhile, your pipeline is getting thinner. Lapsed donors aren't re-engaging. And your board keeps asking: "Why aren't we hitting our major gifts goals?"

Sound familiar? You're not alone. Major gift fundraisers are facing five critical challenges:

Challenge No. 1

Prospect ghosting

Donors show interest, then disappear into silence. You don't know how to keep the conversation moving.

Challenge No. 2

Thin pipeline

You lack qualified major donor prospects, so you're constantly scrambling and reactive instead of strategic.

Challenge No. 3

Ask anxiety

You understand moves management and cultivation, but when it's time to actually ask, fear takes over. You worry you'll say the wrong thing. You undersell. You leave money on the table.

Challenge No. 4

Donor retention failure

You bring in a gift, then lose the donor. They give once and vanish. Your lapsed donor rate keeps climbing.

Challenge No. 5

Unsustainable growth

You're working harder every year to hit the same goals. There's no system. No predictability. Just hustle.

Join 12,000+ Fundraisers

Why This Happens

Line drawing of two women sitting and talking, one is holding a phone and the other is using a tablet, with papers and boxes on the table, and toy blocks on the floor.

The problem isn't that you don't understand fundraising. It's that most training teaches you the what without giving you the confidence to execute it. 

You know what moves management is. You've heard about the ask. You understand donor psychology. But knowledge ≠ execution.

What's missing is practice, coaching, and peer confidence in a structured environment.

Trusted by 12,000+ Alumni

What If Your Major Donors Couldn't Wait to Say Yes to You?"

Outline of a human skeleton in black and white.

Imagine a different scenario.

A major donor prospect returns your call within 24 hours. Not because they have to, but because they want to. They're genuinely interested in your conversation.

When you sit down to ask, you know exactly what to say. You're not nervous. You're clear. You're authentic. And your donor feels the difference. They don't just say yes, they're excited to say yes.

Twelve months later, your revenue has grown by 50%, 100%, or more. But here's the thing: you're not working twice as hard. You're working smarter. You have a system. A pipeline that stays full. Donors who call you back. And the confidence to ask for what your mission deserves.

This is what our alumni experience.

Trusted by 12,000+ Fundraisers

Real Fundraisers. Real Results. Real Transformation.

Story 1: Commonwealth Foundation

The Outcome: $1M → $30M+ annually

Impact: 30x revenue growth in major gifts

Line drawing of three people standing in front of a screen and a chart, one person is holding a tablet and explaining data to the other two.

"We weren't just learning frameworks in a classroom. We were learning from people who'd actually done this in the real world, with real donors. We went from stalled major gifts to momentum. The moves management system became our backbone. Now it's woven into everything we do."

Abhilash Samuel, Director of Entrepreneur Engagement
Commonwealth Foundation

Story 2: St. Vincent de Paul

The Outcome: $9M → $45M in major gifts revenue

Impact: 5x revenue growth over 10+ years of consistent implementation

A black silhouette of a wolf howling at the moon against a night sky with stars and clouds.

"For over a decade, we've relied on ModernICG's training. Our team returns because the system works. We've built lasting relationships with donors, not through aggressive tactics, but through intentional moves management and authentic asks. That foundation created 5x revenue growth."

Ryan Corry, Chief Philanthropy Officer
St. Vincent de Paul

Story 3: Young America's Foundation

The Outcome: Sustainable, repeatable major gifts system

Impact: Annual system refinement and team alignment

Black and white line drawing of an airplane flying through clouds.

"We don't just attend this seminar once. We come back every year as a team because the faculty teaches what actually works. The one-on-one ParkBenching time with faculty and the RoundTable peer discussions solve real problems we're facing right now."

Tom Robinson, Deputy Director of Development
Young America’s Foundation

Trusted by 12,000+ Alumni

Why These Results Happened

Notice something? These organizations didn't triple their revenue by accident. They did it by:

Learning a proven system

Not theory, but a framework that's been tested with 12,000+ fundraisers

Getting coached by practitioners

Not academics, but real fundraisers who've secured transformational gifts

Practicing in a safe environment

With peer support and expert feedback

Implementing immediately

Not someday, but Monday morning after the seminar

This is what's available to you.

Trusted by 12,000+ Alumni

The Five Skills That Change Everything

1. Understand your donors

Master the psychology, motivations, and decision-making patterns of major gift donors

The Challenge: You can't influence what you don't understand. Most fundraisers treat all donors the same and miss critical psychological triggers that inspire big gifts.

The Outcome: You'll walk away understanding why donors say yes, and how to craft every interaction to align with their decision-making patterns. You'll stop guessing what donors want and start confidently creating experiences that inspire generosity.

What You'll Learn:


2. Build your pipeline

Identify, qualify, and cultivate the right major donor prospects using modern tools

The Challenge: Your pipeline is thin. You're working from stale lists. You don't know who's truly ready for a bigger gift or how to find new prospects digitally.

The Outcome: You'll leave with a dramatically stronger pipeline: qualified prospects you didn't know existed, a system to find them using AI and digital tools, and a roadmap to keep your pipeline full year-round. No more scrambling.

What You'll Learn:


3. Craft your message

Create compelling cases for support and authentic asks that resonate emotionally

The Challenge: Your case statement is flat. Your asks feel awkward. Donors don't connect emotionally with your mission, because you're leading with data instead of story.

The Outcome: You'll have a compelling case for support that moves donors emotionally. You'll know exactly what to say when you ask, and you'll have practiced it in a safe environment so when you're sitting across from a real prospect, you feel calm, clear, and confident. Ask anxiety disappears.

What You'll Learn:


4. Execute your strategy

Implement proven systems like Moves Management to turn prospects into committed donors

The Challenge: You know the theory. You understand cultivation. But you don't have a system to execute consistently, so your major gifts work feels reactive, not strategic.

The Outcome: You'll walk out with a proven system, not just ideas. You'll know how to qualify prospects, design cultivation plans, involve your board and volunteers effectively, and track your progress. Moves Management becomes your backbone, and your major gifts work shifts from reactive hustle to strategic execution.

What You'll Learn:


5. Sustain your growth

Build partnerships, develop your team, and future-proof your fundraising with AI

The Outcome: You'll leave with long-term strategies and tools. You'll know how to diversify funding through corporate and foundation partnerships, build and retain a high-performing team, and strategically integrate AI into your fundraising. Your major gifts program becomes sustainable, scalable, and future-proof.

The Challenge: You're chasing short-term wins without a sustainable strategy. You don't have clear goals. Your team isn't equipped. And you're not sure how AI fits into the future of fundraising.

What You'll Learn:

Trusted by 12,000+ Fundraisers

This Isn't a Typical Webinar. It's an Immersive Learning Experience.

Three days. 15 high-impact sessions. 9 faculty experts. Small group work. One-on-one coaching. Practice making the “ask” LIVE with AI. Peer learning. Real results.

Here's what each day looks like:

Day 1

Day 1 focuses on how donors think, feel, and decide, so participants build a strong base of understanding about donor psychology, cases for support, and prospect pipelines before anything else.

Day 2

Day 2 then turns that insight into action by teaching a concrete moves management framework, modern tools, and real practice in securing visits and making the ask.

Day 3

Day 3 builds on that new skill set to focus on sustaining results over time through partnerships, planning, AI, and the future of philanthropy, so attendees leave with a forward-looking plan, not just ideas.

You're not sitting passively. You're practicing. You're not isolated. You're connecting with peers facing your exact challenges. You're not just learning. You're being coached by people who've done this. You're not getting theory. You're getting actionable frameworks you can use Monday morning.

Trusted by 12,000+ Fundraisers

This Seminar is Built for You If...

  • You're a major gift fundraiser (new or experienced) who wants to close bigger gifts with less anxiety

  • You're a CEO, Executive Director or Development Director, Foundation Director or Board Member ready to elevate your major gifts program

  • You're tired of ghosting, lapsed donors, and thin pipelines

  • You want to learn from practitioners, not academics, who've actually secured transformational gifts

  • You're serious about your professional growth and earning your CFRE points

  • You want to be part of a community of 12,000+ fundraisers who are committed to doing this work with integrity and impact

  • You're ready to invest in yourself and your organization's future

If this describes you, then this seminar is designed for you.

Start Your Transformation

An Investment That Pays for Itself

We know you're thinking about ROI. Let's be real.

The standard investment is $1,895 per person.

But here's the thing: Just one six-figure gift secured using what you learn here pays for the entire seminar, and provides funding for your mission.

Our alumni don't track ROI in dollars. They track it in:

  • Confidence

  • Pipeline strength

  • Donor retention

  • Revenue growth

  • Sustainable systems they can rely on for years

One participant from Commonwealth Foundation said: “We were bringing in $1M. We've grown to over $30M. The training was the catalyst.”

Swipe left/right on mobile. Most teams save $500+ with group rates.

What’s included:

  • 15 sessions of live, interactive training with expert faculty (real practitioners)

  • 15 CFRE continuing education points

  • AI-powered practice with Coach Tivy (lifelike major donor role-play scenarios)

  • One-on-one ParkBenching with faculty (your agenda)

  • RoundTable peer discussions focused on your real challenges

  • Lifetime access to the Apex Community for alumni

  • Certificate of Achievement recognizing your professional development

  • Follow-up resources and tools you'll use post-seminar

Trusted by 12,000+ Alumni

Line drawing of a video conference on a computer monitor with four people, two men and two women, each in their own square, with additional icons and papers on the desk.

You're Not Joining a Seminar. You're Joining a Movement."

Most seminars end on Day 3.

Ours doesn't.

When you complete ModernICG's certified Excellence in Major Gifts Fundraising Seminar, you join the Apex Community, a global network of 12,000+ passionate fundraisers committed to doing this work with excellence.

Inside Apex, you'll:

  • Connect with peers who understand your challenges (they live them too)

  • Share best practices and lessons learned from the field

  • Ask questions and get real-world advice from people who've been where you are

  • Collaborate on bold ideas and fresh solutions

  • Grow your skills in a space built for continued learning

  • Access ongoing resources, templates, and tools

  • Stay current on trends and innovations in major gifts fundraising

Lifetime access. No additional cost.

This is your professional network. Your peer support system. Your community of choice. And it's waiting for you.

Trusted by 12,000+ Fundraisers

Real Fundraisers. Real Results. Real Transformation.

“I learned soft and hard skills that I can utilize right away to help drive our mission forward.”

Courtney Davis, Director of Business Development
Right to Start

Five black stars stand for the voices of over 12,000 alumni who are proud and satisfied with the training they received from the Modern Institute for Charitable Giving.

“We were bringing in $1 million. We've grown to over $30 million dollars.”

Abhilash Samuel, Director of Engagement
Commonwealth Foundation

Five black stars stand for the voices of over 12,000 alumni who are proud and satisfied with the training they received from the Modern Institute for Charitable Giving.

“We come every year to learn from the best teachers on moves management.”

Tom Robinson, Deputy Director of Development
Young America’s Foundation

Five black stars stand for the voices of over 12,000 alumni who are proud and satisfied with the training they received from the Modern Institute for Charitable Giving.
Five black stars stand for the voices of over 12,000 alumni who are proud and satisfied with the training they received from the Modern Institute for Charitable Giving.

“St. Vincent de Paul has been relying on the Institute’s training and support for more than a decade. In that time, we've increased annual fundraising from around $9M to $45M—and we're so proud of that because of the great relationships we've built with donors along the way. The Institute will continue to be an integral part of our staff learning and development plan, whether it is offered in-person or in virtual settings.”

Ryan Corry
Chief Philanthropy Officer
St. Vincent de Paul

Five black stars stand for the voices of over 12,000 alumni who are proud and satisfied with the training they received from the Modern Institute for Charitable Giving.

“This really focused program ensures that participants are getting such a well-rounded education. A proven track record. The work of the founders, Jerry Panas and Bill Sturtevant, has been so well developed and reinforced through the Institute. That’s where I feel that ModernICG separates itself from other workshops and conferences in the fundraising industry.”

Personal testimonial from one of over 12,000 alumni who are proud and satisfied with the training they received from the Modern Institute for Charitable Giving.

Ryan Ashton
Vice President Development
Aquarium of the Pacific

Five black stars stand for the voices of over 12,000 alumni who are proud and satisfied with the training they received from the Modern Institute for Charitable Giving.

“The Modern Institute for Charitable Giving seminar equipped our team with actionable tools to personalize outreach and maximize the potential of every interaction. Not only did the faculty enhance our technical skills, but we also gained a deeper understanding of how to align our fundraising efforts with the philanthropic priorities of our donors, ensuring long-term support for Michigan Tech’s mission.”

Personal testimonial from one of over 12,000 alumni who are proud and satisfied with the training they received from the Modern Institute for Charitable Giving.

Bryant Weathers, CSPG
Director of Charitable Gift Planning
Michigan Technological University

Five black stars stand for the voices of over 12,000 alumni who are proud and satisfied with the training they received from the Modern Institute for Charitable Giving.

“Participating in the Institute Conference was motivating and inspiring. Having attended many fundraising seminars, this one was far and above the best use of my time. The speakers provided wonderful ideas and strategies that could be immediately implemented. Meeting and networking with colleagues from around the country was a wonderful resource!” 

Personal testimonial from one of over 12,000 alumni who are proud and satisfied with the training they received from the Modern Institute for Charitable Giving.

Perri Dombroski
National Director of Leadership Giving
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN)

Trusted by 12,000+ Alumni

Meet our faculty

Tammy Zonker

Douglas A. Dillon, CFRE

Felicity Panas

Birgit Smith Burton

Nathan Chappell, MBA, MNA, CFRE, AIGP

Beau Cummings, CFRE, MBA

Russell Dunlavy

Shannon Duval, CFRE, FAHP

Russell James III, Ph.D., J.D., CFP®

Cherian Koshy, ACFRE, CAP

Maia McGill

Ashley C. Nall, MS, CFRE

Steven Shattuck

Jeff Spitko, CFRE

Terry Heilman Sylvester

Coach Tivy

Trusted by 12,000+ Fundraisers

Real Questions. Real Answers.

Registration

Certification

Additional Information

Your Transformation Starts Here

Line drawing of a boy and girl giving each other a high five in celebration.

You've spent years mastering fundraising.

You know the frameworks. You understand donor psychology. You believe in your mission.

What's missing is the confidence and the community to do this work at the highest level.

That changes on October 19.

Here are your next steps:

  1. Review the seminar details (dates, agenda, faculty)

  2. Check the ROI (standard, super early bird, early bird )

  3. Reserve your spot (seating is limited and fills quickly)

  4. Mark your calendar for three days of transformation

  5. Download our ready-to-use justification letter to share with your leadership to justify the ROI.

Trusted by 12,000+ Alumni