10 Ways to Build and Sustain Meaningful Donor & Alumni Relationships-Recording

Video Transcription

Video Summary

This webinar hosted by CASE Europe and Africa, led by Karen Burns of Stellenbosch University, focused on building meaningful donor and alumni relationships. Karen shared practical insights from Stellenbosch’s extensive experience, emphasizing the importance of moving beyond transactional interactions to foster emotional bonds, trust, and partnership. Key alumni engagement strategies include cultivating a sense of belonging through events like homecoming, personalized communication tailored to alumni segments, demonstrating impact with visual, story-driven reports, and offering diverse pathways for alumni to contribute time, talent, and treasure. For donors, essential practices highlighted were respectful listening to understand motivations, tailored stewardship including recognition and intimate engagement, consistent fulfillment of promises ensuring trust through transparency and governance, strategized re-engagement of lapsed donors with gratitude and relevance, and framing giving as partnership aligned to shared values. Karen illustrated these concepts with successful programs, challenges, and partnerships, underscoring that strong relationships lead to sustained generosity and transformational impact. CASE provides extensive member resources, including conferences, online courses, a global library, and networking opportunities to support advancement professionals. The session encouraged participants to implement shared tips, foster collaboration, and join the broader CASE community to enhance their own donor and alumni engagement efforts.

Keywords

donor relationships

alumni engagement

Stellenbosch University

emotional bonds

alumni events

personalized communication

donor stewardship

trust and transparency

CASE Europe and Africa