Transform lucky breaks into major gift success

Without hoping and wishing your way to results

Everyday fundraisers like you are

❌ Watching other organisations secure 50K+ gifts while you struggle to move beyond 5K.
❌ Spending countless hours researching prospects but never meeting them.
❌ Attending donor meetings armed with materials, hoping you won't be asked something you can't answer.
❌ Waiting for the next lucky break to hit your target.
❌ Feeling like an imposter at donor meetings.
❌ Unsure what the next steps are with their donors.

Imagine instead....

✔️ Walking instead into donor meetings confident and prepared (without over-preparing)

✔️ Knowing exactly what to say and do to move the relationship forward

✔️ Building a predictable pipeline of major gifts

✔️ Seeing yourself as a valued philanthropic advisor

✔️ Creating transformational moments for donors

Trusted by


And over 2,500 fundraisers trained across the globe.

Ready to make major gifts a consistent part of your fundraising?

Here's how we'll do it together using the VISION framework:

V - Vision & Assessment

First, we'll look at where your major gift programme really stands. What's working? What's missing? Together, we'll identify the key elements you need to secure those bigger gifts - because major gifts need major visions, and often that means rethinking your whole approach.

I - Inner Confidence

Transform how you view your entire role in philanthropy. No more feeling like you're bothering people or asking for favours. Together we'll build a new mindset that positions you as a valued philanthropic guide, bringing real value to every donor relationship. This shift changes everything about how you approach your work.

S - Select Your Stars

Stop drowning in endless prospect lists. We'll build a focused portfolio of donors with real potential - people who align with your vision and have the capacity to make transformational gifts. Quality over quantity, every time.

I - Insightful Conversations

Master the art of donor conversations that actually go somewhere. Learn to ask questions that uncover true motivations and interests. No more walking away from meetings wondering "what next?" You'll know exactly how to move each relationship forward.

O - Operational Excellence

Create systems that make success repeatable. From managing your pipeline to following up after meetings, you'll have clear steps for every stage of the donor journey. Think templates, checklists, and frameworks that take the guesswork out of major gifts.

N - Next-Level Engagement

Keep your programme dynamic by staying ahead of the latest trends and tools in philanthropy. From creative stewardship moments to smart use of LinkedIn and AI, you'll learn approaches that make you stand out. Plus, you'll discover how to build genuine donor communities that keep supporters engaged and excited about their giving.

The VISION framework gives you everything you need to transform your major gift programme.

Here's how we can work together to make it happen:

Fundraising Training


Build your team's confidence and capabilities with focused 90-minute sessions.

From mastering donor conversations to using AI for prospect research, choose from proven modules or let me create bespoke training for your needs.

Strategic Partnership


Ideal for fundraisers who want the expertise of consultancy with the flexibility to do it yourself.

We'll create your strategy together, then I'll support you every step of the way as you put it into action.

Major Gift Consultancy


Need hands-on help to start or grow your major gifts programme?

Whether it's creating a full strategy, guidance on specific campaigns, or regular support to strengthen your approach, I'll work alongside your team to get results.

  • £345

How to get in front of invite-only funders November

  • 0 left
  • Course
  • 25 Lessons

A practical, results-focused 4-session course that transforms how your organisation positions itself to get on funders' radars. The workshops are on four consecutive Wednesdays: 5, 12, 19, 26 November. We start at 10 am GMT / 12 pm CAT

"I think I would attend any webinar you put on based on the impact of today's session."

Lizzie Wright, 24-7 Prayer

Like many fundraisers, I used to think major gift success was about luck

I'd celebrate when gifts fell from the sky, then panic about how to repeat that success. In donor meetings, I'd over-prepare, clutching my presentation deck like a security blanket.

A £1M campaign brought my wake-up call. Our donors' verdict? No interest. They didn't even think we had a major gift programme. That report landing on my desk was one of the lowest points of my career.

The Day Everything Clicked

Everything shifted in Madagascar. Watching a donor and her family see their giving in action, I witnessed something extraordinary. That evening, she told me: "Thank you for giving me one of the best days of my life."

That's when I understood - no luxury purchase could give someone one of the best days of their life. As fundraisers, we facilitate these transformational moments.

Now I help fundraisers make the same shift

I've trained over 2,500 fundraisers globally across organisations like The Roddenberry Foundation, WWF South Africa, and the British Red Cross.

Using my VISION framework, I help fundraisers move from hoping for lucky breaks to confidently building major gift programmes that work.

Curious about working together?

Picture this:

Another board meeting approaches. That familiar knot in your stomach returns.

Your Executive Director asks about the pipeline, and you talk about 'potential' - but really, you're just hoping for another lucky break to save the day.


It's not your cause holding you back. It's relying on luck instead of strategy.

But imagine instead:

You've discovered your true value as a philanthropic guide. You walk into donor meetings carrying something more powerful than presentations - the confidence to build meaningful partnerships.

Your pipeline fills with purpose, each relationship deepening with intention rather than hope. Board meetings become opportunities to share real progress, not just potential.

This isn't just about hitting targets. It's about transforming your organisation's future - and your own.

Ready to make the shift?

"Michelle was mind blowing. I was hooked on every word she said. I feel so enriched by the course. She really illustrated well the out-of-box thinking necessary for this work. I also feel like what she taught is also applicable in other things I do, not just fundraising."

Brad, Habonim Dror

Join the Handmade Fundraising fortnightly newsletter


3 ideas to super-charge your fundraising
2 things I’m loving right now
1 must-know donor-writing tip

You're signing up to receive emails from Handmade Fundraising