# Your 2026 Major Gifts Plan: Aspirational but Realistic

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Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-intentional-fundraiser-podcast-4795105/your-2026-major-gifts-plan-aspirational-but-realistic.md
Podcast: [The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-intentional-fundraiser-podcast-4795105)
Published: 2026-01-06T10:15:00+00:00
Episode link: https://the-intentional-fundraiser.captivate.fm/episode/your-2026-major-gifts-plan-aspirational-but-realistic
Audio file: https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/3f99ad9c-416a-41c3-8f1e-8b2e5826a91c.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-intentional-fundraiser-podcast-4795105/episodes/your-2026-major-gifts-plan-aspirational-but-realistic
Duration seconds: 969

## Resource

Big goals without a real plan? That’s the fastest way to create burnout instead of breakthroughs. I’ve seen it too often: a board sets a bold fundraising target, the team nods, and suddenly everyone’s sprinting toward a number that doesn’t match reality. Sound familiar? In this week’s episode of The Intentional Fundraiser, I share exactly how to build a 2026 major gifts plan that’s aspirational but realistic, one that inspires confidence instead of chaos. You’ll hear stories from the field, a simple three-scenario model that calms anxiety, and practical steps to right-size your portfolio so you can stay focused on what really moves the needle. ✨ Because big goals are beautiful, but only when they’re grounded in data, relationships, and alignment. How are you balancing ambition and realism in your 2026 plan? 🎧 Listen to this week’s episode and share it with another fundraiser who needs a little clarity and calm as they plan for the year ahead. Resources: Show notes, links, and resources mentioned in this episode . Review my show: Please review my show . After you click the link, scroll to the bottom, first tap to rate with five stars, and then tap “Write a Review.” Then, let me know what you liked most about this particular episode or how you find my podcast helpful, valuable, insightful, or inspiring in some way. Privacy Policy: See Privacy Policy at https://www.fundraisingtransformed.com/policies Newsletter: Subscribe to my Scaling Major Gifts weekly newsletter.

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## Transcript

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