Beyond the Event: Designing Experiences That Build Real Funder Relationships

Event, Peer-to-Peer & Auction Fundraising | 2025 |

 

Back to 2025 Raise On Demand

In this session, Mallory Erickson explores how to use events as powerful tools for building deep, authentic, and aligned donor relationships with corporate partners and individual supporters. Drawing from her book, What the Fundraising, she shares how to move beyond transactional event strategies to design experiences that create real connections and long-term partnerships. Watch this session to learn how to infuse events with elements that reduce donor discomfort, foster alignment, and enhance engagement through empathy and shared purpose.

Key Takeaways:

  • Understand how to design events that foster aligned and authentic donor relationships.
  • Learn strategies to reduce transactional dynamics at events and build lasting connections.
  • Gain practical tools to integrate empathy, transparency, and alignment into event planning.
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Speakers

Mallory Erickson is the founder and CEO of Practivated, an executive coach, fundraising consultant, and host of the What the Fundraising podcast. She is dedicated to transforming the nonprofit sector by helping fundraisers move beyond transactional approaches to build lasting, mission-aligned partnerships.

Through her Power Partners Formula™, Mallory has trained over 60,000 fundraisers, blending executive coaching, behavior design, and strategic fundraising. Her book, What the Fundraising, explores how shifting away from a scarcity mindset leads to greater impact and sustainability.

At Practivated, which Mallory founded in 2024, she continues to drive innovation in fundraising through technology, coaching, and science-backed strategies. If you’re ready to fundraise with confidence and alignment, Mallory’s work is for you.