RAISE MORE FROM MAJOR DONORS
With a coach who’s doing it now.
Learn how to make confident asks
From a coach still on the fundraising frontline.
Major donor fundraising isn't about scripts or pressure.
With the right coaching, it becomes something you actually enjoy.
Does this sound
like you?
❌ You know your charity needs to pursue major donor funding, but you’re not sure how to do it well.
❌ You don’t feel confident working out a strategy on your own.
❌ You feel nervous or awkward asking individuals for big donations.
❌ You’re having conversations, but they don’t lead to gifts.
If so, specialist Major Donor coaching could make a huge difference to you and your charity.
Coaching with Dan
I have over 10 years of experience in major gifts, helping to raise many millions, and I’d love to show you how.
With us, you will learn:
How to find new major donors
Building a bespoke stewardship plan for each prospect
How to tell the right stories
Planning cost-effective major donor events
Strategies for building relationships and moving towards giving.
How and when to make an ask
I work with a small number of clients at any one time to ensure quality, so get in touch to explore coaching as soon as possible.
You’ll also receive our free Major Donor Pipeline Tool to help keep track of our plans and the amounts raised.
FREE Major Donor Pipeline TOOL
⭐️
keep track of plans and amounts raised
⭐️
FREE Major Donor Pipeline TOOL ⭐️ keep track of plans and amounts raised ⭐️
What sets our coaching apart?
| Us | Competitors | |
|---|---|---|
| Theory | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Practice (still raising major gifts!) | ✔️ | ❌ |
| Transparent Pricing | ✔️ | ❌ | Major Donor Pipeline Tool | ✔️ | ❌ | No Minimum Term | ✔️ | ❌ |
Testimonials
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I've found this really helpful, Dan's experience and insight … has proved extremely useful in thinking of innovative ideas on how to engage with supporters and provide an excellent experience for them - I'd highly recommend!
Amy Hippsley
Supporter Engagement and Communications Project Manager - Refugee Education UK
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The difference this has made is remarkable, £100K in donations and, just as importantly, the confidence to ask and to shout about the amazing work the charity does. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Dan to anyone looking to grow their major donor programme
Daniel Cheesman
CEO – Jessie May, Children’s Hospice at Home
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I can’t recommend working with Dan highly enough. His relational approach, combined with his extensive experience and ongoing work with major donors, gave me complete confidence. We were able to quickly establish a clear and effective strategy and Dan’s insights into communication were exceptional—practical, thoughtful, and immediately actionable.
Catherine Clayton
Founder & CEO - BeSpace
We’ve helped some great charity clients recently, including…
Dan’s bio:
Unlike many coaches, I don’t just have experience; I am still actually working as a major donor fundraiser, meaning I’m up to date on what works now, not what used to work.
In our regular meetings, we’ll discuss all the actions required to start or grow your major donor fundraising. I’ll also support you between those meetings, so you have all you need to succeed.
You’ll be amazed at how much progress you can make and how quickly. Many of my clients have raised over £10,000after just one session.
Major Donor fundraising is all about relationships. I can’t do it for you, but I can teach, coach, and support you in doing it confidently.
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I’m the founder and current CEO of fundraising and communications agency Better Story.
It began as a startup with no employees in May 2019 and has grown year on year to a current team of 13 staff. We help charities with turnovers of £80k to £8 million raise more funds for their amazing work by delivering a range of fundraising and comms services.
Prior to that, I was privileged to lead international charity The George Muller Charitable Trust in my hometown of Bristol during a period of growth and change.
During my time as CEO, we opened a custom-built museum, telling the story of our founder George Muller who cared for 10,000 orphans in the Victorian Era.
Until 2023, I co-led the European branch of the global fundraising movement illumiNations. That involved organising and hosting prestigious events for philanthropists at venues such as Gleneagles, Hampton Court Palace and Stirling Castle, helping to raise over £7 million for the partner organisations.
I live in Corsham, Wiltshire, with my two daughters and labradoodle. Looking after them is what inspires me to help others ‘live a better story’.
Pricing
Foundation:
For small to medium organisations looking to start or grow major donor fundraising
£300 per month
Monthly meetings
1:1 coaching
Bespoke follow-up support between meetings
Major Donor Pipeline tool
No minimum term
Accelerator:
For organisations looking to start or grow major donor fundraising at pace
£600 per month
Priority access - meet as often as you need
1:1 or group coaching - include all relevant team members
Major Donor Fundraising toolkit
In-person accelerator workshop to fast-track implementation
Bespoke follow-up support between meetings
Major Donor Pipeline tool
No minimum term
Will coaching work for me?
Click below to ask Dan to give you a no-obligation callback about Major Donor coaching, your needs, and how it could work for you and your charity.
FAQs
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This coaching is designed for anyone in a charity who has responsibility for building relationships with major donors — whether that's a CEO, founder, fundraising director or development manager. If you're the person having the conversations and making the asks, this is for you.
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Each monthly coaching session is one hour, held via Zoom at a time that suits you.
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Every session is tailored to where you are in your major donor journey. Topics typically include prospecting and building your pipeline, crafting your case for support, making the ask with confidence, stewarding existing donors, planning fundraising events, and reviewing what's working and what isn't.
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You'll have access to Dan via email for questions, sense-checking and practical support as you implement your action points between sessions. You won't be left waiting a month if something urgent comes up.
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No — this is a rolling monthly commitment with no minimum term. You can cancel at any time with one month's notice, so you're never locked in.
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Most clients see real momentum build from around month three, as your pipeline develops and conversations mature. We'd typically recommend a minimum of six months to see meaningful results, though many clients stay with us for a year or more.
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Either works. Some clients are funded directly by their charity, others invest personally — particularly if they're a founder or CEO who sees this as professional development. We're happy to discuss what makes most sense for your situation.
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We can't guarantee specific income figures — major donor fundraising depends on many variables including your relationships, your cause and your timing. What we can guarantee is that you'll leave every session with clear, practical actions, and that we'll do everything in our power to help you raise more than you're raising now. Many of our clients see significant income growth within their first year.