Publications and Presentations

Publications

Listening: A Fundamental Component of Donor Relations

By Anne Manner-McLarty and Patricia Berry

Communication can be a two-way activity, one that involves both delivering a message and receiving and processing any response that may follow an outgoing message. Outgoing messages from a nonprofit organization set the stage for dialog with donors. Dialog is a key component in relationship building, and a sense of relationship is a critical component of sustainable fundraising. As a practice, donor relations is charged with safeguarding the relationships between a nonprofit organization and its donors. Operationalizing the means by which the nonprofit organization listens to its donors, therefore, is a task appropriate to the work of donor relations. In this article, authors Anne Manner-McLarty and Patricia Berry clarify the importance of listening as a part of relationship-based fundraising, explore the ways in which nonprofit organizations listen to their donors and suggest models for operationalizing listening activities specific to donors.

Formal Mentoring as a Means of Professional Development for Donor Relations & Stewardship Practitioners

By Anne Manner-McLarty

Acquiring information, skill and competencies specific to donor relations and stewardship can help practitioners better structure their work and advance their careers. Professional development exercises are valued in many fields of practice and are imperative for those careers in which the transfer of specific knowledge and skills critical occurs largely through on-the-job training. Insight into the methods through which the knowledge and skills critical to the work of donor relations and stewardship are currently acquired was compiled by surveying those working in the field. 

The article is available within the Journal of Donor Relations and Stewardship, Book 3: Structure. For more information please visit www.journaldrs.com.

Developing Evidence-based Practice within Donor Relations and Stewardship

By Anne Manner-McLarty

This article points to the need for sufficient relevant research to advance donor relations and stewardship as an evidence-based practice. This research should focus on the efficacy of donor recognition and stewardship strategies in motivating donor support and the efficiency with which those strategies are carried out. Evidence-based practice within donor relations and stewardship would use research to inform the design of the programs organizations use to attract, motivate and retain donors.

The article is available within the Journal of Donor Relations and Stewardship, Book 2: Measurement. For more information please visit www.journaldrs.com.

Donor Relations & Stewardship Notebook

By Anne Manner-McLarty

Over the years I've thought about, talked about and listened to others explore the work of donor relations and stewardship. There are many details to be considered and much of the language we use is jargon specific to our own industry. So, mostly to keep my own thoughts straight, I created this notebook-sized collection of the topics I most frequently discuss with new and existing clients. My explanations -- with substantial influence from the good work of others -- are presented here with equal room for the notes you will make about your own professional experience. I'm always open to new ideas and friendly debate, so please, share your thoughts and comments with me.

The Notebook is available for purchase on Amazon.

A Call for Donor Recognition Strategy

By Anne Manner-McLarty

Strategic management of donor recognition is a hallmark of a fully mature approach to donor relations and stewardship. This article reviews the broad array of activities that fall under the heading “donor recognition” and addresses how the categories of donor recognition best align with organizational goals. It demonstrates how strategically planned donor recognition can benefit donor relations and stewardship, calls into question common practices and prepares the reader to better evaluate recent trends. The article includes tools for recognition program management, including preparing for change within the program over time.

The article is available within the Journal of Donor Relations and Stewardship, Book 1: Definitions. For more information please visit www.journaldrs.com.

May 2017 | Developing Evidence-based Practice within Donor Relations and Stewardship -- Journal of Donor Relations and Stewardship, Book 2: Measurement

February 2017 | Donor Relations & Stewardship Notebook

June 2016 | A Call for Donor Recognition Strategy -- Journal of Donor Relations and Stewardship, Book 1: Definitions

December 2015 | Should I Install an Interactive Digital Donor Wall? Ask the Experts!  -- The Hub, Association of Donor Relations Professionals