As philanthropy trends shift towards fewer larger gifts, fundraisers will manage more complex awards and higher stakes stewardship of high-value donors no one wants to disappoint. Any variance from expectations can put fundraisers’ ethical reporting and relationship management to the test.
This thought-provoking yet relatable session will build fundraisers’ confidence and competence in ethical stewardship of high-stakes grants, conveying specific tactics while stimulating self-reflection. The content explores how concepts borrowed from power theory and social justice can help fundraisers prevent and manage stewardship challenges in ways that actually deepen trust and relationships with the donor, and minimize rather than perpetuate problematic power and equity imbalances in the sector.
First, a participatory exercise will brainstorm and rank common stewardship repair practices (good, bad, and borderline), and the influence of a “donor is always right” paradigm. Then, we will explore how theoretical concepts rooted in power theory (compliance, allyship, and asset-based development) can be leveraged to align donor and recipient in truly shared solution-finding. Finally, we will apply this reframing to repair practices and tactics, using group scenario practice and learner participation to turn hypothetical negative grant updates into equity- and trust-advancing communications.
The weighty theoretical material will be made accessible by the speaker’s use of humor, true relatable stories, and interactivity, leaving participants with new ideas and tangible take-aways.
Learning Objectives:
Recognize and redress situations that incentivize unethical stewardship practices
Describe applications of power theory and social justice principles to stewardship
Reframe negative project updates into constructive, asset-based donor messaging.
