Building a Human-Centered Fundraising Pipeline

Are you chasing numbers or building relationships?

Most fundraisers are stuck on the hamster wheel.

Chasing donors. Juggling events. Burning out.

But what if the real breakthrough comes from slowing down?

Here’s the playbook for human-centered, relationship-first fundraising:

Schedule ONE meaningful conversation this week.

→ Ask, “What inspired you to support us?”

→ Listen—no agenda.

Map supporters by engagement TYPE, not just dollar size.

→ Who shows up at events?

→ Who shares your content?

→ Who asks tough questions?

Be transparent about your team capacity.

→ “It’s just me, but I’m committed to getting this right with you.”

→ People value authenticity.

Audit your outreach for inclusivity.

→ Who’s missing from your newsletters?

→ Are your stories and photos truly diverse?

→ Try translating content or inviting others to share their voice.

Focus on quality over quantity.

→ 5 heartfelt connections are worth more than 50 mass emails.

Use stories, not just stats.

→ Share one real example of impact (and don’t be afraid to mention setbacks).

TL;DR:

Transformational fundraising happens when you focus on real relationships, not just transactions.

Pre-order your copy of my new book, "Calling All Heroes: Combining the Best of Donor-Centered and Community-Centered Fundraising for Greater Impact.”

→ https://www.callingallheroesbook.com/

And to make it worth your while:

When you pre-order your copy of Calling All Heroes at the link in the show notes and submit your receipt or order number, you’ll receive a special invitation to my free, 90-minute training session: “How to Implement Human-Centered Fundraising in Your Organization.” It’s my way of saying thank you for walking with me on this journey.

And if you want extra copies for your team, chapter or an upcoming conference, we offer special discounts on bulk orders.

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