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When it comes to nonprofit fundraising, relationships truly make the world go round. In this candid conversation with Dan Leal, CEO of Seedling Foundation, we dive deep into the art of balancing immediate funding needs with long-term donor cultivation in today's fast-paced, often disconnected world.
Dan shares how the pandemic revealed weaknesses in many organizations' donor relationships and digital fundraising capabilities. His practical wisdom on making meaningful connections resonates whether you're pursuing foundation grants or individual major gifts: "It's still about relationships and it's a matter of how you attain that relationship." Even a brief Zoom call or phone conversation can dramatically outperform email-only outreach when seeking funding.
Whether you're an executive director struggling with donor retention or a development officer seeking fresh approaches, this conversation offers practical strategies for authentic fundraising that honors your mission while embracing the power of genuine human connection. As Dan reminds us, in a divided world, our greatest fundraising asset might be finding commonalities that unite diverse supporters around our cause.

Key Takeaways:

• Relationships make the world go round—for both immediate funding needs and long-term donor cultivation
• Personal outreach (calls, in-person meetings) significantly outperforms email-only communication with potential funders
• Social media provides valuable opportunities to initiate one-on-one interactions with prospective donors
• When discussing operational costs, focus on program impact and outcomes rather than directly asking for "salary money"
• Major donor interactions require genuine interest in the donor's motivations, not just presenting your organization's needs
• Consider using AI (or "authentic intelligence") to discover fresh language and perspectives about your work
• Organizations with similar missions can differentiate themselves while still collaborating and sharing donors