Episode 101
Episode 101 of Tales From the Trenches Tuesdays features Sarah Grebow, a consultant to nonprofit organizations and charter schools on major gift philanthropy and corporate and foundation giving. She focuses on strategies to create and grow lasting partnerships, leading to large gifts based on an organization’s vision and fit with donors’ philanthropic goals beyond the transactional. Her 20-plus year career in major gifts has led her to specialize in coaching nonprofit executive directors and their Development staff on individualized plans and strategies for their top prospects and donors, and presenting trainings to boards on taking on new active roles in the engagement of high-level prospects during board meetings and retreats.
She works with nonprofits addressing various causes, looking to deepen their transformational giving, or are “major gift curious.” Yet, she is particularly passionate about education and youth causes as she appreciates the love of learning she gained throughout her educational experiences.
Sarah discusses her journey from teaching to fundraising, emphasizing the importance of authentic partnerships between organizations and donors rather than transactional relationships. She recounts formative experiences in donor stewardship, including a story about understanding donor motivations and the importance of timing in major gift solicitations. Sarah highlights that success in fundraising is often about trust, empathy, and mutual engagement, not just securing immediate financial support. The conversation concludes with advice on continuous relationship-building and a reminder to value donors beyond their capacity to give—through both prosperity and hardship.
You show them that you’re still there. You’re sticking around… You matter. That’s a true partnership.can be everything in major gift fundraising.
Just click on the picture of Sarah below to hear our conversation.
L’chaim,
jack
