A gala put them on stage. Then ghosted them for good.

Three community leaders invited up front, never contacted again. Zero gifts. One hurt feeling that traveled fast.

On this week's episode of The Intentional Fundraiser, I tell that story next to a very different one. A major gift officer who spent four months building trust with a community before she ever made an ask.

No agenda. No pitch. Just curiosity, and a lot of listening.

The result? A yes within a week, and two more families who joined in the following year.

In this episode, Inclusive Major Gifts in Practice, I walk through:

→ Why inclusive fundraising is now core major gifts strategy, not a side initiative

→ The tokenism traps that quietly cost you trust and gifts

→ The internal work, representation, language, policy, and power, that makes your outreach believable

What's one practice you'd like to start, or stop, in how your organization engages diverse donors?

Listen to the episode and share it with someone on your team who's ready for this conversation.

More from Tammy Zonker

Author of Calling All Heroes

Founder of Fundraising Transformed

President of Modern Institute for Charitable Giving

Learn more about the Excellence in Major Gift Fundraising Seminar

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