Key Concepts for Donor Development - Seattle, WA

Stuck on the loyalty-gift treadmill,  many fundraisers work tirelessly yet still don’t hit ambitious major-gift goals. Key Concepts for Donor Development breaks that cycle. In this one-day, high-energy experience, you’ll discover the proven frameworks that turn polite interest into passionate ownership—so bigger, more meaningful gifts flow naturally to your mission.

Why Attend

Grounded in decades of philanthropic research and field-tested with top institutions, the workshop equips you to diagnose donor commitment, uncover authentic passions, and guide conversations that inspire multi-year support. Walk away ready to create the kind of Development Magic that transforms donor relationships—and your results—forever. This one-day, highly interactive workshop pairing strategy with structured practice, built to work within real staffing capacity, not around it.

Who It's For

Development professionals at arts & culture institutions carrying real structure and real responsibility, with a team built for neither extreme.

What You Will Learn

1. How to Pinpoint Commitment Levels
   Use the Donor Commitment Continuum to see exactly where each donor stands—and determine what will move them forward.
2. A Process to Unlock Philanthropic Passion
   Apply the seven-step Passion Question Process to reveal the motivations that lead to transformational giving.
3. The Importance of Shifting From Gifts to Partnerships
   Replace transactional asks with trust-building dialogue that positions donors as strategic partners.
4. How to Navigate Objections With Confidence
   Transform hesitation into an opportunity for deeper engagement and stronger alignment.
5. Techniques to Chart Your Next Steps
   Create a clear, repeatable roadmap for advancing every relationship towards major, multi-year commitments.

What You Will Get

• Comprehensive workbook
• Donor Development Chart reference tool
• Passion Question Process quick guide
• Conversation planners and trust-building language prompts
• Real donor stories that illustrate best practices
• Application activities, peer networking, and facilitator coaching
• Peer connections
• Group activities & breakouts
• Table discussions
• Donor stories that inspire
• Real-life fundraising examples
• Time for visioning & applying concepts learned to your role
• Thought-provoking activities

This workshop is being held in partnership with the Woodland Park Zoo.

**If you would like to register but need to pay later please reach out to AR-Publics@hcg.com.

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