A study was done of how educational institutions seek major gifts in their fund raising strategies. The study surveyed 57 institutions in 4 major categories: private colleges (24), private universities (6), public universities (12), and private elementary/secondary schools (15). The study sought to discover whether significant changes had taken place since the last similar survey done in 1983. Findings indicated the following: (1) "major" is still the term of choice for larger gifts but the minimum level required for this category has risen to $25,000 for the largest number of institutions (21); (2) as in 1983, institutions receive gifts in several forms with the bulk of major gifts coming in cash or convertible securities; (3) of three categories of givers, individuals, foundations, and corporations, individuals give more than any other single category and of the individual donors, alumni give the greatest percentage; (4) public universities receive 28 percent of their major gifts from corporations and 20 percent from foundations; (5) foundations give more to the private universities than to other institutions; and (6) board members are important as a major source of gifts to independent elementary/secondary schools and private colleges. An appendix contains samples of the cover letter and major gifts survey. (JB)