Listen to a clip above, and tune in to the entire episode at www.NonprofitNationPodcast.com!
When the world is spiraling, nonprofits give the world hope. However, we often falter when showing donors the difference that they made and make every day – and convincing them that they made the right decision to support us.
That’s where Lynne Wester comes in – thankfully! If you know Lynne, the Donor Relations Guru, then you know that she pulls no punches and does not hold back in her opinions, her expertise, and her generous advice. She is one of my absolute favorite speakers and thought leaders in fundraising, donor relations, and philanthropy. Lynne’s guidance has led organizations to be recognized on the national stage for fundraising innovation, creative communication, and groundbreaking donor relations work.
In this episode, we dive deep into what Lynne calls “the gospel of gratitude” – how are we serving those who make our work possible? How can we look at people and truly value them – no matter how much they give to us? And how can nonprofits further inclusivity by making daily decisions, large and small?
Here are some of the topics we discussed:
- Why the pandemic was actually a good thing for donor relations
- What are the ways that we can see giving through a DEI lens and practice
- Her advice on coordinating in-person events
- Why she encourages nonprofits to drop their giving societies
- How to create an “attitude of gratitude” instead of a “culture of philanthropy”
A Lynne Wester quotable: “Everybody keeps saying they want a culture of philanthropy. I want a culture of generosity.”
And, one more: “We need to look at people and value them far more than their monetary gift.”
Connect with Lynne:
https://www.donorrelationsguru.com/
https://twitter.com/donorguru
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynnewester/
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About Julia Campbell, the host of the Nonprofit Nation podcast:
Named as a top thought leader by Forbes and BizTech Magazine, Julia Campbell (she/hers) is an author, coach, and speaker on a mission to make the digital world a better place.
She wrote her book, Storytelling in the Digital Age: A Guide for Nonprofits, as a roadmap for social change agents who want to build movements using engaging digital storytelling techniques. Her second book, How to Build and Mobilize a Social Media Community for Your Nonprofit, was published in 2020 as a call-to-arms for mission-driven organizations to use the power of social media to build movements. Julia’s online courses, webinars, and talks have helped hundreds of nonprofits make the shift to digital thinking and raise more money online.
Clients include Mastercard, GoFundMe Charity, Meals on Wheels America, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.