Building Donor Relationships with Captain Obvious at the Helm
by Nikki Goldstein
We all know these things. They're simple, straightforward, basic, and obvious. But don't underestimate the power of these enduring truths. Don't assume your team knows them, values them, or applies them consistently. No, this list isn't exhaustive (duh...), but these are five of my favorites.
Retention, retention, retention
It's obvious that it's less costly and far easier to retain a current donor than to find a new one. As the old saying goes, "Make new friends, but keep the old; one is silver and the other is gold."
Stewardship isn't just a nice thing to do. It's a thoughtful strategy centered on understanding who your donors are, what matters to them, what their stories are, and why they support your organization. When you use that knowledge to communicate and connect in meaningful ways, donors are far more likely to remain engaged and committed.
Be a charm school graduate
I remember meeting with a couple who were outstanding volunteers at the agency where I served as Executive Director. Over coffee and bagels, they shared their life stories. We laughed, we cried, and I listened intently.
As they were leaving, they ran into one of my colleagues and told her how much they had enjoyed getting to know me. Of course, they didn't really know me. But I knew them, and that's what mattered.
It was the beginning of a beautiful relationship.
Don't make this mistake
When a board member handed me an extraordinarily generous check, he told me about a mistake made by an organization he had previously supported. Curious, and imagining the worst, I asked what had happened. "They didn't ask me again," he said. I vowed never to make that mistake. If you don't ask, the answer is always no.
Giving USA 2026: Bequests Do the Heavy Lifting as Total Giving Tops $600B
U.S. charitable giving reached an estimated $617.2 billion in 2025, a record high in current dollars— but what pushed it over the mark was not a broad, even lift across all donor types. It was primarily a sharp jump in bequests.
Delta Dental of Missouri: Community Donation Program
Delta Dental of Missouri is passionate about giving back to the communities they serve. Through Delta Dental's community donation program, they support charitable organizations working to make a difference in communities throughout Missouri. Focus areas are health/wellness of at-need or at-risk populations and oral health.
Charitable organizations may apply for funding once per year; this includes any requests that have been declined or approved.
Applications are due on August 14, 2026. Notification in September 2026.
The Herbert A. and Adrian W. Woods Foundation was established on June 9, 1999, upon the death of Mrs. Adrian W. Woods. Mrs. Woods had a long history of charitable giving in the St. Louis community and wanted to establish this foundation to continue that legacy of giving. The Foundation supports charitable organizations primarily in the greater St. Louis, MO area.
The Foundation is dedicated to the founders' interest in charitable organizations that serve: abused, neglected, or troubled children; the poor; the Episcopal church & affiliates, including outreach programs; art and culture in the Metropolitan St. Louis area; animal welfare (in MO); victims of illness or disability, including research in this area.
Organizations across Missouri are invited to apply for funding of up to $15,000 to support humanities-based projects that engage communities through history, literature, culture, civics, and related disciplines.
Applications are due Friday, August 1, at 11:59 PM.
St. Louis County Port Authority Community Investment Fund Grant
The St. Louis County Port Authority (Port Authority) has announced it is accepting applications for its 2026 Community Investment Fund grant program, which provides funding for economic and community development projects led by nonprofit organizations. The applicants or projects must be located in St. Louis County and/or primarily serve St. Louis County residents or businesses. Applicants must also have a 501(c)(3) designation.
The Port Authority will consider economic and community development projects that fall within one or more of its funding priorities and may be programmatic or construction-related projects (e.g., land acquisition, renovation, new construction, and infrastructure).
Applications will be accepted by the Port Authority until Aug. 11. Virtual information sessions about the grants and application process will be held on June 29 and 30.
The maximum Community Investment Fund grant amount awarded to a project will be $300,000. Grants are expected to be awarded by early 2027.
BEYOND THE LAGGING INDICATORS: Fundraising with Agency, Presence, and Practice
We're thrilled to welcome Mallory Erickson as our keynote speaker this year. Mallory is the author of What the Fundraising and host of the podcast by the same name. In 2024, she launched Practivated, an AI-powered platform where fundraisers can practice real donor conversations in a safe, dynamic environment. Think: a flight simulator for fundraising.
In this keynote, Mallory will offer a fresh perspective on today's fundraising landscape. In a time shaped by AI, donor-advised funds, wealth transfer, and constant change, it’s easy to feel like fundraising is happening to us. Drawing on behavior science and years of experience, Mallory will show why fundraisers have more agency than they think and share practical strategies to quiet the overwhelm, build genuine donor confidence, strengthen one-on-one donor relationships, and use AI as a tool rather than a source of pressure.
The Rome Group is proud to sponsor this year's AFP Annual Conference. As philanthropy continues to evolve, today’s fundraisers must grow as leaders, learners, and strategic partners. The Evolving Fundraiser centers on professional development, leadership readiness, and lifelong excellence in the fundraising profession.
Morning keynote: Vu Le
Afternoon featured speaker: Russell James, J.D., Ph.D., CFP
A Future With Fewer Children in St. Louis and A Choice About The Common Good
Join Enterprise Bank & Trust and fellow nonprofit leaders for a morning of networking and a timely conversation on supporting welfare in the St. Louis community.
Hear from J.S. Onésimo Sándoval, Ph.D., Director of the MS Sociology Program at Saint Louis University, as he offers insights into the “common good” within St. Louis and how your work as a nonprofit leader promotes this shared goal. You’ll leave refreshed and inspired to continue giving back to your community. Coffee and light breakfast pastries will be served.
Thursday, August 6
8 - 9:15 AM
Benoist Conference Center 11401 Olive Blvd. Creve Coeur, MO 63141
Important Insights Webinar for Community Organizations
Co-hosted by the Regions Making Life Better Institute ® and Regions Philanthropic Solutions
The landscape of charitable giving is changing. With the recent tax reforms, are your donors and fundraising strategy changing? This webinar will dive into the latest philanthropic tax rules and practical steps to strengthen your nonprofit’s financial strategy. Join guest speakers from Regions Bank and the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham as they discuss the new tax codes around charitable giving and their possible implications for donors and nonprofit organizations.
Communications professionals are invited to attend a ComNetworkST.LOUIS summer social to meet others in the field, exchange ideas, and build connections. Enjoy snacks and drinks while you mingle.
SAVE THE DATES: Show-Me Philanthropy Statewide Conference & Annual Meeting
The Show-Me Philanthropic Statewide Conference is a can't-miss opportunity for all Missouri funders, grantmakers, and partners to tap into the most up-to-date sector thinking that is timely, relevant, and actionable.
Philanthropy Missouri (PhiMO) offers a conference learning experience specifically tailored to Missouri philanthropy. Join funders from across the state to collaborate, amplify promising practices, and build enthusiasm for the future of philanthropy.
This episode's guest is Vivian Gibson, author of The Last Children of Mill Creek and proof positive of the importance of telling your story. The book came out in 2020, amid the craze of the COVID19 pandemic, and has since grown to be a must-read.
Mill Creek Valley was a segregated Black community in St. Louis City that was labeled "blighted" and razed for urban development in the late 1950's. Vivian's book set out to humanize the people, stories, and places of Mill Creek through the eyes of her childhood. This is Gibson's first book, and though it started as a retirement project, the momentum of the book ensured Gibson would not be slowing down any time soon.
Click hereto find the podcast on your favorite app.
Making the Best of What's Left: When We're Too Old to Get the Chairs Reupholstered
by Judith Viorst
From the bestselling author Judith Viorst comes a witty and poignant exploration of the joys and sorrows of life’s twilight years—one that leaves us laughing, pondering, and grateful for the moments we have left.
Congratulations to the following individuals who are beginning new roles or celebrating well-earned promotions in the St. Louis nonprofit community, including both new hires and those recently promoted.
Brian Beedie, Senior Director of Development, KVC Health Systems
Lisa Boudreau, Senior Director of Policy, Advocacy & Public Affairs, Community Health Commission of Missouri (CHCM)
Madison Jackson, Development Analyst, Marian Middle School
Jenniqual "Jai" Johnson, Administrative/Development Associate, CASA of St. Louis
Melissa Jones, Director of Advancement, the Academy Of The Sacred Heart
Amanda Miller, Executive Director, Arts as Healing
Erin Schreiber, Director of Development, National Council of Jewish Women St. Louis (NCJWSTL)
Jami Wade, Executive Director, Missouri Humanities Council
Christian Wargo, Director of Marketing, the Repertory Theater of St. Louis
Do you have news about a job opening, new hire, promotion, or other happenings? If so, send us your news and we’ll consider including it in our next issue of Insights.
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