{"id":63502,"date":"2025-01-07T13:21:49","date_gmt":"2025-01-07T18:21:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.psi.org\/?post_type=news&p=63502"},"modified":"2025-01-08T13:24:15","modified_gmt":"2025-01-08T18:24:15","slug":"the-one-thing-to-ask-of-donors-for-true-engagement","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.psi.org\/pt\/news\/the-one-thing-to-ask-of-donors-for-true-engagement\/","title":{"rendered":"The one thing to ask of donors for true engagement\u202f\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

This article was originally published in Candid<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

By Natalie Fellows (she\/her)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every nonprofit wants donors who are deeply connected to the work they fund\u2014supporters who don\u2019t just write checks but are invested in the mission. But this requires organizations to do something they find uncomfortable: asking donors to change.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This may seem counterintuitive. Nonprofits are experts at fulfilling donor needs, not the other way around. But deep engagement requires a shift in the traditional funder-grantee dynamic. It means stepping away from viewing donors as patrons and inviting them in as partners. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Asking donors to rethink the funder-grantee relationship<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Nonprofits are used to keeping donors at arm\u2019s length, presenting their successes\u2014the beautiful mosaic\u2014while concealing the individual tiles that make that successful impact possible. This approach projects a polished image but limits donors\u2019 understanding of the nuances and complexity that underlie the work. It also perpetuates a one-sided dynamic where nonprofits deliver while donors remain passive recipients. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If we want donors to engage deeply, they need to see beyond the curated highlight reel. They need to understand the wins and struggles that shape meaningful impact. This level of transparency requires effort and commitment from both sides <\/em>to the relationship and a learning journey where donors are willing to grow and adapt alongside the nonprofit. Nonprofits need to feel confident sharing challenges and failures without the fear of losing support. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Building authentic partnerships<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Forging these partnerships starts with rethinking the transactional nature of most donor relationships and for nonprofits to consider what donors can contribute beyond money\u2014their time, trust, and curiosity. Over the years, I\u2019ve found three practices particularly effective in fostering these connections: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Set clear expectations.<\/strong> From the very first interaction, it\u2019s important to align on partnership values and expectations. As senior manager of impact at the Maverick Collective by PSI, I tell potential donors that my role is to align their passions with work that is strategic and meaningful\u2014not to create programs simply to secure funding. The work must first and foremost benefit the communities we serve. This foundational understanding enables us to navigate potentially tricky situations with clarity and mutual respect.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, imagine a donor proposes a health intervention that we know won\u2019t be effective. I can revisit our initial conversation and say something like: \u201cYou know that my priority is ensuring we achieve the greatest impact. While I value your input, let\u2019s explore why the intervention you\u2019ve suggested might not help us reach that goal.\u201d This approach centers our shared commitment to impact and fosters trust, even in difficult conversations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Address power dynamics.<\/strong> Secondly, many donors have never considered how their influence might shape the work. By asking donors to discuss power dynamics early on, nonprofits can foster a sense of partnership over hierarchy. The impact of these conversations can be transformative, helping donors see their role as collaborators rather than overseers. And in exchange for their respect and trust, we provide proximity and transparency. We tell donors that in reporting on their funding, we\u2019ll share not only successes but also failures. This approach transforms traditional donor engagement tools into opportunities for connection: <\/p>\n\n\n\n