Three Tips for Better Donor Cultivation

It’s easy to get confused about donor cultivation. When it works, it seems simple, even magical.

You meet with a prospective donor, start talking, and then, before you know it, they make a gift.

And looking back at that cultivation meeting, it’s easy to get turned around. What makes a cultivation meeting work?

Is it the coffee shop you selected?  The flyer you brought? The elevator pitch you memorized in the Starbucks parking lot?

In my work, I’ve seen intentional cultivation deepen trust, spark generosity, and lay the groundwork for long-term investment. It starts with curiosity. It grows through consistency.

And it thrives when donors feel like co-creators of impact—not just supporters.

In this week’s video, I talk about donor cultivation – and share three tips on how to get more from your cultivation meetings.

Plus, I talk about an upcoming webinar I am leading on individual giving. Click here to learn more and to register!