Episode Details

In this solo breakdown, Tom digs into the headline-grabbing “$237M gift” story and uses it to teach how to vet mega-gifts, private stock donations, and flashy in-kind offers before you put your reputation on the line. Learn the red flags, the governance steps that protect your org, and why “announce later” is often the smartest move.

You’ll learn:

• How to assess gifts of privately held stock (and why many are $0 until liquidity).
• When NDAs help—and when they hide risk.
• The board’s role in diligence and why trustees must be looped in early.
• How to spot self-interested gifts (MLMs, encumbered property, “free” equipment with costly service contracts).
• Practical scripts for saying no without burning bridges.
• A simple due-diligence checklist you can start using today.

If you’re a small-shop fundraiser or new to major gifts, this episode gives you the language and process to protect your institution—and your career—while still landing real, mission-advancing contributions.

Looking for fundraising coaching?  Check out www.abundantvision.net