The Smart Communications Podcast: Episode 171 Summary Title: How Can You Start Treating Donors as Partners? Host: Farah Trim Peter Guest: Emily Bishop Runeri Release Date: October 2, 2024

Introduction to the Episode and Guest

In Episode 171 of The Smart Communications Podcast, host Farah Trim Peter engages with Emily Bishop Runeri to explore the transformative approach of treating donors as partners rather than traditional benefactors. The conversation delves into redefining donor relationships to foster collaboration and mutual respect, aiming to enhance nonprofit communications and mission advancement.

Emily's Perspective on Donor Partnerships

Emily Bishop Runeri, a seasoned fundraising and advocacy professional with over a decade of experience, emphasizes the importance of leveraging personal privilege responsibly within the philanthropic space. She shares her journey, highlighting her ability to navigate spaces dominated by major donors due to her background as a white, straight-presenting queer woman. Emily states:

"I'm very straight presenting. And again, I think that I was born with a privilege that allows me a little bit of comfort in the room with major donors."
[02:08]

Emily underscores her commitment to using her access to drive meaningful change and open doors for fellow fundraisers, aiming to dismantle the traditional power dynamics inherent in fundraising.

Shifting Conversations with Donors

Farah and Emily discuss strategies to transition from a donor-centric approach to a partnership-oriented mindset. Emily advocates for setting clear goals for every donor interaction, whether it's securing a meeting or making a solicitation. She explains:

"By keeping your goal at the center of your mind... shows the donor that you're there to talk about the work and that the work deserves to be taken seriously."
[04:11]

This focus helps maintain a professional tone, positioning both parties as collaborators committed to solving shared problems rather than engaging in a mere transactional relationship.

Navigating Power Dynamics

A significant portion of the discussion addresses the power imbalance between donors and fundraisers. Emily highlights the societal structures that place financial contributors in positions of authority and suggests intentional communication strategies to mitigate this imbalance. She advises fundraisers to set the tone of meetings by clearly outlining the agenda, thereby fostering an environment of mutual respect and collaboration:

"We're here to solve this problem together as professionals."
[06:32]

This approach helps redefine the relationship, presenting it as a partnership aimed at achieving common goals.

Educating Donors in Group Settings

When engaging with groups, whether existing or potential donors, Emily recommends integrating the organization's mission into broader societal contexts. She suggests connecting donor contributions to larger issues, enhancing their understanding and commitment. For example, linking a food bank donor's contributions to national agricultural policies provides a comprehensive view of the impact:

"Did you see this article about the farm bill that's up in Congress and how does that relate to food insecurity in our neighborhood?"
[10:27]

This method not only educates donors but also reinforces the significance of their support within a larger framework.

Practical Tips for Equalizing Donor Relationships

Emily shares actionable advice to balance the donor-fundraiser relationship. One pivotal tip involves the tone and structure of email communications. She encourages fundraisers to treat donors like any other professional contact, promoting confidence and equality:

"You're not writing to the queen... be confident in the way that you email."
[11:07]

By maintaining professionalism without excessive deference, fundraisers can cultivate more balanced and respectful interactions.

Final Thoughts and Advice

Concluding the conversation, Emily reflects on the broader challenges within philanthropy, acknowledging its deep-rooted connections to societal issues like patriarchy and capitalism. She emphasizes the importance of focusing on incremental improvements:

"All we can do is really focus on the next right thing... the way you email or how you have a meeting as the next right thing to try to break down some of these really ingrained societal things."
[13:25]

Emily's perspective encourages fundraisers to adopt a mindset of continuous, small-scale changes that collectively contribute to a more equitable philanthropic landscape.

Key Takeaways

1. Redefine Donor Relationships: Transition from transactional interactions to collaborative partnerships by setting clear goals and maintaining a professional tone.
2. Acknowledge and Mitigate Power Dynamics: Recognize inherent societal power structures and implement strategies to foster mutual respect and equality.
3. Educate Donors Strategically: Link donor contributions to broader societal issues to enhance understanding and commitment.
4. Professional Communication: Treat donors as equal professional partners, especially in written communications, to balance power dynamics.
5. Focus on Incremental Change: Address systemic issues in philanthropy through continuous, small-scale improvements in interactions and strategies.

Notable Quotes

• Emily Bishop Runeri on Personal Responsibility and Privilege:

  "As I've progressed in my career, I've realized that it's really important to me to use that privilege responsibly... to try to open the door a little bit wider."
  [02:08]

• Emily on Goal-Oriented Donor Conversations:

  "By keeping your goal at the center of your mind... shows the donor that you're there to talk about the work and that the work deserves to be taken seriously."
  [04:11]

• Emily on Power Dynamics:

  "When you let the donor drive the conversation, it immediately sets the tone that they're in charge."
  [06:32]

• Emily on Professional Email Communication:

  "You're not writing to the queen... be confident in the way that you email."
  [11:07]

• Emily on Incremental Change in Philanthropy:

  "Focus on the next right thing... to break down some of these really ingrained societal things."
  [13:25]

Conclusion

Episode 171 of The Smart Communications Podcast offers valuable insights into transforming donor relationships by fostering partnerships grounded in mutual respect and shared goals. Emily Bishop Runeri's expertise provides actionable strategies for fundraisers to navigate power dynamics, prioritize the organization's mission, and communicate effectively with donors. By adopting these practices, nonprofit leaders can enhance their communications skills and strengthen their organization's voice, ultimately advancing their mission more effectively.

For more resources and to connect with Emily Bishop Runeri, visit her LinkedIn and Instagram profiles.

This summary is based on the transcript of Episode 171: "How Can You Start Treating Donors as Partners?" of The Smart Communications Podcast hosted by Farah Trim Peter.