They work in any number of situations.  They work with all generations.  Leveraging giving has universal appeal. Is it time for your organization to pursue a challenge gift strategy?  If so, the first step is to determine the purpose of the challenge.  For what end will you use the challenge gift? The second step is to identify a potential challenge donor. Whom will you ask to consider offering the challenge?  The best candidate will be someone who is actively engaged with your organization and has a good understanding of development (board members, development committee chair, campaign chair etc).

Establish a challenge gift strategy is to work out the specific details of the challenge with the donor:  

• match amount (keep it simple and don’t make it more generous than it needs to be);
• the “ceiling” amount of the total to be matched;
• the timeframe for the match;
• the constituencies that will be the focus of the challenge; and
• expectations for recognizing the challenge donor(s) and promoting the challenge opportunity.

Challenge gifts work. Now go get em’!