Here's how you can foster relationships with major donors using creative strategies.

Remember that donors are also human beings. The X factor everyone in that room has is the human factor. Nobody is perfect, but try to bring a personal touch. Remember, nobody only cares about the money. Get to know them better: who they are, what do they like, why do they like their job, etc. This information helps you present in a way that doesn't feel pitchy, but rather personalised and humanly felt, especially using aspects of what they like and who they are.

D'après mon expérience dans le domaine des projets à caractère sociale, l'engagement des acteur du secteur privé devrait être d'une importance capitale. Chez les personnes oeuvrant pour l'enrichissement individuel et qui arrivent à gagner des patrimoines importants, Il ya ce manque d'esprit visant le changement social positive des communautés à faible revenu. L'appui financier des acteurs commerciaux au niveau local,national,continental et global de façon systématique dans des projets visant à déraciner la pauvreté marquera un pas géant dans l'amelioration des conditions de vies des adultes,jeunes et enfants. Cela aura une implication sur la restauration de la paix dans les différentes régions de nos pays, continents et ceux du monde.

Thank them by using a personalised video. Address the major donor by name. Thank them for their support and named the events they have supported. Share what difference their support has made. Thank them again by name at the end the video

The personal touch is my favorite thing when it comes to major donors. I try to make an effort to remember the little things in conversations like birthdays, the last trip they went on, or what their favorite movie is. As others have mentioned, donors are just people and as the saying goes, people give to people not just organizations.

Years ago, while serving as the President of the Tampa Bay Sewanee Club, we hosted an event at the Tampa Yacht Club where the featured speaker was my mentor, Dr. Gil Gilchrist, Chairman of the Political Science Department at the time. At the end of the evening, during the goodbyes at the exit, an Episcopal priest who had driven up from SW Florida shook my hand and with a big smile on his face, told me that the evening had been just like we were on The Mountain (on campus). My takeaway was that in creating meaningful experiences we foster meaningful relationships. Much better than the feedback from a "data dump" or "shouting session" over loud music.

Regular updates are a good practice. The updates should be focused and balanced. Human stories, major learnings and achievements should be shared rather than waiting for the reporting cycle.

I've always believed that a strong partnership is crucial in maintaining relationships with donors. When I began my role in executive management, tasked with fundraising, I recall attending numerous meetings without securing any donations or commitments. Latisha James, the Public Advocate at the time, pointed out during lunch that although my passion for the work was evident, I failed to ask for donations or commitments. She warned that without developing this habit, my organization could face financial difficulties. This experience taught me the importance of building good relationships with donors by making clear requests for support and consistently acknowledging and celebrating their contributions

Ask for advice. On a project, strategy, etc. from those who know best and be sure to keep them in the loop on your progress. I needed support on a project I was taking on and received it from a expert in the field. Down the line that person also wanted to get involved with the project as a major funder.

Often overlooked in development nurturing are the financial advisors. By creating advisory groups of estate planning and financial advisors, you get to reinforce your story with professionals who will be influential in the decisions of current and potential donors. Recognizing a financial advisor who represents the best example of philanthropic guidance every year will establish lifelong relationships of support.

In my experience knowing your Donors and what they will and won’t consider is key. Along with your organizations reputation, your personal reputation and relationship with the relevant decision makers is essential to any creative outcome of the box thinking. a few years ago I managed to secure a sizable amount of funding from a donor agency without giving them a single clue on what I wanted to spend it on . I openly explained i can’t tell them what it’s for , they can’t ask or tell me , it may or may not be a success , and that I promise to be responsible and give feedback but needed the freedom to try something new . Due to my relationship with the donor they allowed me to go ahead and that project has been incredibly successful.