How to Engage Donors Using Community-Centered Practices

Fundraising models should respect donors and build strong relationships with them. They must also be centered on the communities who know firsthand what is needed for meaningful change. This session will introduce ways to engage donors differently by fostering a sense of belonging and engaging them in transformative (not transactional) work. Drawing on examples from capital campaigns to donor engagement, Frank Velasquez Jr. & Diana Farias Heinrich will demonstrate how a simple reframing can create powerful collaborations between your organization, your donors, and your community.

Key Takeaways:

• Recognize the role of nonprofits in engaging donors effectively, emphasizing the shift from donor-centric to community-centric models.
• Develop strategies for building transformative, not transactional, donor relationships that foster a sense of belonging and partnership.
• Master asset-based language that focuses on the strengths and contributions of community members.