Date & Time
Tuesday, June 10, 2025, 10:30 AM - 11:45 AM
Location Name
Salon 1
Name
The Heart of Giving: Building Deep Connections with the Generous Majority
Track
Donor Relations, Stewardship, and Prospect Research
Experience Level
2 - Intermediate (4-6 years in the industry)
Description

Every year, donors who give under $5,000 represent 97% of all givers—these are the individuals who form the backbone of philanthropy. Yet nonprofits lose over half of these vital supporters annually. Behind these statistics are thousands of passionate individuals whose connection to our missions quietly fades away. How can we transform this pattern and create lasting bonds with the people who believe in our work?

Drawing from insights by the Fundraising Effectiveness Project—the sector's most respected benchmarking initiative—and research from the Institute for Sustainable Philanthropy, this workshop bridges the gap between human connection and technological innovation. We'll explore how to create donor experiences that seamlessly blend empathy-driven engagement with modern technology platforms, ensuring every touchpoint strengthens your mission.

This isn't just about better donor retention—it's about reimagining how we unite our people and technology teams around a shared purpose of authentic engagement. Through practical exercises and real-world examples, you'll discover how to design integrated donor journeys that leverage both human insight and digital tools to create meaningful, sustainable relationships with your supporters. Leave with a concrete framework for transforming your donor engagement approach into one that creates lasting connections in our digital world.

Timothy Sarrantonio
Supporting Document 1