Donor Relations Group

Lynne had a fantastic time speaking at the University of Alberta, sharing insights on training development, alumni communications, and marketing to create amazing donor experiences! Grateful for the opportunity to connect and collaborate with passionate professionals dedicated to donor engagement. #DonorRelations #AlumniEngagement

?? Donor retention starts with gratitude! But how big is that impact? #DRGTrivia

The Unexpected Call That Changed Our Strategy Donor feedback—sometimes we ask for it, sometimes it finds us. Either way, it can be a powerful tool in shaping our strategies. One day, I got THAT call. The VP’s admin asked if I could come to the office. No details, no hints—just a request. My mind raced with possibilities (Did I miss a deadline? Was something wrong?). Turns out, a university trustee had just met with the president, bringing along an endowment report from another institution. He pointed out its strengths and—unfortunately—our shortcomings. While the comparison wasn’t apples to apples, the takeaway was clear: Our reports needed improvement. This was a defining moment. Instead of defending why we did things the way we did, I committed to exploring ways to enhance our reports. That decision led to a complete shift in our approach. ?? From Bank Statements to Impact Reports Our endowment reports, at the time, were… well, let’s just say they weren’t exciting. Imagine a long, formal letter followed by a bank statement. No visuals, no storytelling—just facts on a page. Meanwhile, the report our trustee admired was a beautifully bound booklet with high-res images, infographics, and clear messaging. I knew we had to rethink our approach. So, I started with one simple question: ?? What are we really trying to communicate? From there, we: ?? Transformed lengthy text into digestible infographics. ?? Simplified the letter to focus on impact. ?? Added donor-centric messaging instead of just financial data. And here’s the kicker—these changes didn’t require a massive budget, just a shift in mindset. By Jan McGuire

?? It’s Back! Our Acknowledgment Bootcamp Returns This May! ?? Nonprofit professionals, are you ready to transform your donor acknowledgment process? Our live, interactive, expert-led Acknowledgment Bootcamp is back to help you craft meaningful acknowledgments, streamline your workflow, and ensure every donor feels valued—without overwhelming your team. ?? What You’ll Gain: ? 8 hours of live training—no recordings, real interaction! ? Expert insights from Angie Joens & Colton Withers—leaders in the field ? Proven strategies for writing impactful acknowledgments and improving efficiency ? Exclusive tools & templates to streamline your process ? Earn 8 CFRE credits ?? Program Details: ?? Dates: May 6-7 | Time: 1 PM - 5 PM ET each day (8 hours total) ?? Format: Virtual via Zoom (no recordings available) ?? Designed for: Nonprofit professionals looking to master acknowledgment fundamentals and best practices Whether you’re onboarding new team members or refining your approach, this bootcamp will equip you with the skills to confidently and efficiently navigate donor acknowledgments. ?? Only 50 seats available! Secure your spot today: https://lnkd.in/dCjrJfsa #Fundraising #DonorRelations #AcknowledgmentBootcamp #NonprofitSuccess

HOT GIG ALERT! Washington University in St. Louis is hiring an Associate Director of Donor Recognition. The Office of Donor Relations fosters positive and enduring relationships with donors built on trust and accountability through activities that acknowledge, recognize, and report on gifts, and engage donors in the life of the university. Reporting to the Director of Donor Communications and Recognition, this position will work on projects that demonstrate impact and provide recognition to the university’s most generous donors. In this role, you will help develop segmentation strategies to ensure that donors receive relevant, personalized and inspiring communication about the impact they’re making through their philanthropic contributions. Responsibilities also include planning, organizing, managing, and confirming execution of projects, including defining audience, creating project plans, identifying tasks, and navigating process, risks, milestones, and deadlines. #JobAlert #CareerOpportunities #DonorRelations #NonprofitCareers Apply Today: https://ow.ly/4tTH50Vb6VS

4 Key Ways to Improve Fund Management in Your Nonprofit Fund management is complex, challenging, and often overlooked—but it’s essential to your nonprofit's success. Many shy away from tackling it, but with the right approach, you can ensure donor funds are used effectively and ethically. In this video, Avery G. Howard, DRG Associate, breaks down four simple steps to help your organization navigate fund management with confidence. #DRGTips

On the heels of launching the most ambitious campaign in its 170-year history, Michigan State University is searching for a Senior Director, Donor Relations and Stewardship. DRG is proud to partner with MSU to fill this important position that will provide strategic leadership to the central team and a vision for campus wide donor relations and stewardship programs. This role is perfect for someone who brings creativity, collaboration, and a strategic mindset to align with the ambitions of MSU's campaign, Uncommon Will. Far Better World. Apply Today: https://lnkd.in/ePScMVwz

This gorgeous email from Save the Children is a wonderful example of storytelling that extends an opportunity for donor engagement. And we love that call to action! This email is welcoming donors to the Save the Children family, creating that sense of community, and also providing donors an opportunity to learn more about the work that this organization accomplishes. Want to create a donor experience that feels just as engaging? Take inspiration from this and craft a welcome email that builds community and drives action! Need help? Let’s chat!

The Four Pillars Conference is coming to Chicago, March 25–27, 2025—but you don’t have to travel to be part of it! With our Virtual Experience, you can join the first two days from anywhere and gain powerful insights into: ?? The Four Pillars of Donor Communications ?? Optimizing fund management strategies ?? Implementing data-driven decision-making Virtual attendees get: ? Live-streamed sessions (March 25–26) ? Interactive Q&As with speakers ? A digital workbook full of actionable tools ? 10 CFRE Credits ?? Dates: March 25–26, 10 AM – 5 PM CT ?? Cost: $400 – $800 per person Don’t miss your chance to engage with top industry leaders & enhance your donor relations strategy—no travel required! Register now: https://ow.ly/52yb50V9lQr #FourPillarsConference #DonorRelations

Transformational gifts need transformational engagement! If you're still using a one-size-fits-all approach for top donors, it's time to upgrade your strategy. Our Bespoke Donor Engagement webinar series is your ultimate playbook for major & principal gift success. ?? 4 power-packed sessions ?? Identify high-priority donors ?? Craft meaningful engagement plans ?? Align activities with donor values Don’t leave top donor relationships to chance—give them the attention they deserve! Get the full series for just $200. ?? Secure your spot now! https://ow.ly/RwjX50VeYrk #Fundraising #DonorEngagement #MajorGifts