Fundraising is a relationship, not a transaction. Successful fundraising starts long before the ask. It requires time, trust, and meaningful engagement. Whether you’re refining your strategy or just getting started, these five tips will help you build deeper donor connections and lasting support.
Tip #1: Always Be Building
The biggest mistake is waiting until you need money to start reaching out. Fundraising relationships are built over time—often 18 to 24 months before a gift is made. Trust is earned, not requested. Keeping your donor pipeline active all year ensures you’re never starting from scratch when the need arises.
Tip #2: Understand Donor Life Cycles
Donors are not a monolith. Their financial capacity and priorities shift with life stages. Younger professionals may be short on capital. Parents often prioritize family expenses. Donors aged 50 and above typically have more capacity and are thinking about legacy. Still, everyone in your network has something to offer. Some will donate, others will connect you with potential supporters or share advice. Fundraising is about building a community, not just raising money.
Tip #3: Engagement Drives Results
Donor relationships must be nurtured continuously. Engagement means more than newsletters or event invites—it’s about personalized, meaningful interaction.
- – Develop a consistent engagement plan with quarterly touchpoints.
- – Lead with curiosity. Ask what matters to them before making assumptions.
- – Make every donor feel heard and valued.
When you invest in relationships, trust follows.
Tip #4: People Fund People
Donors don’t just support causes—they support people. While your mission matters, your ability to connect, communicate, and follow through is what sets you apart.
To stand out, demonstrate:
- – A compelling vision
- – Honest, clear communication
- – A consistent track record of doing what you say you’ll do
These qualities inspire confidence and set the foundation for long-term support.
Tip #5: Set and Respect Expectations
Every donor has different preferences around recognition and updates. The best way to honor that? Ask.
- – “How would you like to receive updates about your gift’s impact?”
- – Offer options—from public shoutouts to private reports.
- – Follow through consistently.
When donors feel understood and respected, trust deepens—and relationships strengthen.
A Simple 3-Conversation Model
If you’re unsure when to make the ask, this model can help:
- 1. Conversation One: Learn their story. Discover shared values and interests.
- 2. Conversation Two: Deepen engagement. Seek their advice or input on something meaningful.
- 3. Conversation Three: Make the ask. If alignment is clear, this will feel like a natural next step.
If the third conversation doesn’t feel right, take a step back. Focus on rebuilding trust or clarifying alignment.
The Hard Truth About Fundraising
Fundraising is hard. The people who make it look easy are putting in the relationship work behind the scenes. Great fundraisers are: thoughtful, consistent, and trustworthy. They deliver on promises and make donors feel like partners—not just sources of funding. 80% of success is follow-through. The remaining 20% is the spark—that genuine connection that transforms interest into commitment. People often give their time before their money. When someone offers either, treat it like the beginning of something meaningful.
Want to Strengthen Your Fundraising Strategy?
Explore our Fundraising for Social Impact course to access practical tools and frameworks that help you raise more money by building lasting relationships.