Compounding Relationships

by Mabana Bamba | June 11, 2026

I recently attended a fundraising workshop led by Bryn George, a major gifts fundraiser and consultant specializing in relationship-based fundraising. Her session, Compounding Relationships, challenged me to think differently about how nonprofits build sustainable support.

One of the central themes was that small, consistent investments in donor relationships can lead to significant growth over time. Successful fundraising is rarely the result of a single campaign or ask. Instead, it is built through ongoing stewardship, communication, and trust.

One insight that stood out to me was that time is often the biggest barrier to effective fundraising. Nonprofit professionals juggle countless responsibilities, and donor cultivation is often pushed aside because it lacks the urgency of grants, events, or reporting deadlines. Yet Bryn emphasized that investing time in donor relationships is essential for long-term growth.

She also stressed the importance of focusing on the right donors rather than trying to engage everyone equally. By investing deeply in a smaller group of highly engaged supporters, organizations can build stronger relationships and unlock greater opportunities for giving.

Another key takeaway was the value of stewardship. Not every donor will increase their giving each year, but loyal donors who consistently support an organization deserve recognition and appreciation. Stewardship builds trust, and trust creates opportunities for future support.

Bryn also reminded participants that donors often know less about an organization’s work than we assume. Stewardship should be used not only to thank donors but also to educate them about the mission, impact, and challenges of the organization. The more informed donors are, the more connected they become to the cause.

Finally, she emphasized the importance of meaningful touchpoints. Intimate gatherings, behind-the-scenes experiences, personal stories, photos, and handwritten notes can create authentic connections that strengthen donor engagement.

My biggest takeaway was simple: sustainable fundraising is built on relationships. While grants, events, and institutional funding remain important, individual donors provide long-term partnership, flexibility, and the potential for deeper investment in a mission they believe in.