Fundraisers: Stop networking!

Yup, that’s what I said. Stop networking, fundraising professionals!

Instead of approaching events, meetings or social gatherings with the typical networking mindset, let's shift our focus to building relationships from the beginning. When you attend these gatherings, aim to connect on a deeper level rather than just exchanging business cards or fulfilling organizational checkboxes.

Imagine these events as opportunities for genuine relationship building. Your primary goal? To understand the person in front of you.

Start the conversation by asking, "Why did you decide to come here today?" or "What is your connection to this place/event/person?" Keep the dialogue focused on their motivations and interests. Look for common ground and let the relationship grow naturally.

By prioritizing relationship building, you'll find that business cards become secondary. It's about fostering meaningful connections that go beyond superficial exchanges. You'll even likely find a way to connect their "why" to your organization in a much more meaningful way.

You can apply this concept to someone new or, even better, to an existing donor re-entering the cycle after having made a gift. There is always something more to learn.

I can honestly say in my career and with our clients, our major gifts successes have always started with taking our time and being really good at this from the beginning of the relationship.

What are your starter questions when you're in this mindset?