Major Gifts vs. Grants:
Why Integrated Strategy Matters
Nonprofits often separate their grant strategy from their major gifts approach. Yet, sustainable funding rarely comes from one stream alone. When development efforts work in silos, you miss opportunities for shared messaging, aligned cultivation, and stronger results.
Here’s how to think about the differences and the synergy:
Grants
Come from institutional funders (foundations, government, corporations)
Often restricted to programs, capital, or specific outcomes
Require alignment with funder priorities, detailed proposals, and reporting
Major Gifts
Come from individual donors
Often unrestricted or tied to broader vision (vs. programs)
Require relationship-building, trust, and personalized engagement
Why You Need Both
Grants help you launch and scale. Major gifts sustain and adapt. Together, they:
Diversify your revenue and reduce dependence on any single source
Provide both structure (grants) and flexibility (gifts)
Allow you to build funder relationships and donor trust in parallel
A Shared Foundation
When coordinated well, both streams rely on:
Clear messaging about mission, outcomes, and vision
Strong program budgets and storytelling
Internal clarity around roles, systems, and timelines
Resonant Strategies supports integrated development strategy that brings your grants and major gifts into conversation. We help nonprofits align internal systems, strengthen donor and funder communications, and build toward long-term financial resilience.
If your team is juggling two tracks and not sure how to connect them, let’s talk: info@resonantstrategies.org