People don’t give because of data points. They give because they care.
At the major gift level, donors aren’t simply giving — they’re investing. They want to know their support will fuel lasting change, not just a short-term result.
That’s why, at our recent Breakthrough Central Texas event, we designed the program to draw people in with their hearts. Instead of a traditional program featuring leadership, experts or peer investors, we created a rare and intimate conversation between a Breakthrough alum and her longtime advisor.
Together, they shared a journey that spanned almost a decade — from 9th grade through college graduation to dream job as a dual language teacher! It wasn’t a case statement; it was a lived experience. Guests witnessed the trust that grows over years of mentorship, the persistence it takes to be a first-generation college graduate, and the ripple effect of opportunity that extends well beyond one student.
At that moment, attendees didn’t just hear about the impact. They felt it. They saw what “return on investment” truly looks like when it’s measured in lives changed.
And the results speak for themselves. The event became our largest in-home gathering to date, with more than 60 attendees and 50+ qualified new or returning major donor prospects. Early outcomes include pending gifts of $10K–$1M opportunities from both new and re-energized lapsed donors.
Because at the end of the day, people don’t invest in numbers. They invest in people.
We're Pivoting 