Major Gift Fundraising as a Trade

Could treating fundraising like a skilled trade transform your results?
In this episode of the Rainmaker Fundraising Podcast, Andrew Olson sits down with Jason Zwang, founder of The Giving Group and longtime major gifts leader. Jason shares why major gift fundraising should be approached not just as a career, but as a craft that requires apprenticeship, trust-building, and continual learning. They explore the evolution of major gifts, the tension between science and art, and how organizations can prepare for the next generation of fundraising leadership. This is a masterclass in practical wisdom for anyone serious about long-term fundraising success.

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - Raising Money Through Major Gifts
• (00:01:11) - Jason Levitt on Major Gifts
• (00:04:15) - Major Gifts as a Trade
• (00:05:13) - Philanthropy as a Trade versus a Career
• (00:09:15) - How to Balance the Pressure of Delivering This Year's
• (00:13:21) - Philanthropy and the Future
• (00:18:23) - The 90 Day Leader's Journey Email Course
• (00:19:47) - David Lively: The Need for Tradecraft
• (00:24:53) - The Art of Raising Money
• (00:28:22) - 3 Rules for Success in Raising Money
• (00:31:46) - What are you most excited for in philanthropy in the coming decade
• (00:33:38) - How Do Nonprofit Pro and Pro Speak?
• (00:34:11) - A Few Favors for the Rainmaker