Are you struggling to connect with major donors and secure those game-changing gifts for your nonprofit? In this episode, I sit down with Ellen Christine Ruiters, a nonprofit leadership and fundraising consultant who has helped great causes raise over a billion dollars globally. Ellen shares her insights on building authentic relationships with high-net-worth donors and creating a strategic approach to major gift fundraising.
Shifting the Mindset: From Asking to Partnering
Ellen emphasizes the importance of viewing major donors as strategic partners rather than simply sources of funding. We explore:
- Why today's donors want to be heard, understood, and involved in problem-solving
- The power of engagement design in creating meaningful donor experiences
- How to balance donor input with maintaining your organization's mission and direction
Practical Strategies for Cultivating Major Gifts
Discover actionable advice for nurturing relationships with potential major donors:
- How to identify and engage with donors who are ready to increase their giving
- The art of asking thoughtful questions and truly listening to donor motivations
- Creating personalized stewardship plans that respect donors' preferences
Leveraging Donor Insights for Organizational Growth
Ellen shares a brilliant strategy for involving donors in your nonprofit's development:
- How to conduct donor interviews that provide valuable feedback and insights
- Using donor input to shape your organization's growth strategy
- Turning engaged supporters into potential board members and major gift donors
Whether you're new to major gift fundraising or looking to refine your approach, this conversation offers valuable insights to help you build stronger, more authentic relationships with your top supporters.
Want to skip ahead? Here are some key takeaways:
06:28 Crafting Effective Donor Conversations Learn how to ask the right questions and truly listen to donor motivations, creating a foundation for meaningful partnerships.
19:38 Personalizing Donor Engagement Discover strategies for tailoring your approach to each donor's preferences and communication style.
30:47 Turning Donor Feedback into Action Explore Ellen's powerful technique for using donor insights to shape your organization's growth strategy and cultivate deeper commitment.
Don't miss this opportunity to transform your approach to major gift fundraising and create lasting partnerships with your most impactful supporters.
Resources
One:One and Team coaching. Join my MasterMind Group. Listeners can have FREE access to my course. The Thriving Nonprofit Leader: https://theideallife.com/the-thriving-nonprofit-leader/
Ellen Christine Ruiters
Ellen Christine understands the challenges of nonprofit leadership because she's been there. A nonprofit founder turned leadership and fundraising consultant, she has helped great causes raise over $1 billion globally.
Through culture-building, high-net-worth donor strategies, and impactful storytelling, Ellen empowers nonprofits and their leaders to thrive.
Her program, The Thriving Nonprofit Leader, helps organizations and their teams rediscover joy in their work while attracting more high-impact donors.
Learn more at TheThrivingNonprofitLeader.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellen-christine-ruiters/
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