Papers by Anne Manner-McLarty
Journal of Donor Relations & Stewardship, 2019
Communication can be a two-way activity, one that involves both delivering a message and receivin... more Communication can be a two-way activity, one that involves both delivering a message and receiving and processing any response that may follow an outgoing message. Outgoing messages from a nonprofit organization set the stage for dialog with donors. Dialog is a key component in relationship building, and a sense of relationship is a critical component of sustainable fundraising. As a practice, donor relations is charged with safeguarding the relationships between a nonprofit organization and its donors. Operationalizing the means by which the nonprofit organization listens to its donors, therefore, is a task appropriate to the work of donor relations. In this article, authors Anne Manner-McLarty and Patricia Berry clarify the importance of listening as a part of relationship-based fundraising, explore the ways in which nonprofit organizations listen to their donors and suggest models for operationalizing listening activities specific to donors.
Journal of Donor Relations & Stewardship, 2017
The evidence-based practice model has been applied in a number of fields, including health scienc... more The evidence-based practice model has been applied in a number of fields, including health sciences, human resources, management and governmental policymaking. Evidence-based practice is characterized by the synthesis of knowledge coming from an expert practitioner; the values and preferences of the constituent, in this case the donor; and evidence provided by research from the field of practice. This article explores the translation of this model for the purposes of donor relations and stewardship practice, considers current impediments to realizing a model of this sort, and provides an overview of applicable research methods that could be used to build a library of research evidence appropriate to donor relations and stewardship. The author calls for an iterative design process for donor relations and stewardship programs and the open sharing of research findings as an ethical obligation of the nonprofit industry. This article points to the need for sufficient relevant research to advance donor relations and stewardship as an evidence-based practice. This research should focus on the efficacy of donor recognition and stewardship strategies in motivating donor support and the efficiency with which those strategies are carried out.
Journal of Donor Relations & Stewardship, 2018
Acquiring information, skill, and competencies specific to donor relations and stewardship can he... more Acquiring information, skill, and competencies specific to donor relations and stewardship can help practitioners better structure their work and advance their careers. Professional development exercises are valued in many fields of practice and are imperative for those careers in which the transfer of specific knowledge and skills critical occurs largely through on-the-job training. Insight into the methods through which the knowledge and skills critical to the work of donor relations and stewardship are currently acquired was compiled by surveying those working in the field. Based on limited research conducted within the membership of the Association of Donor Relations Professional (ADRP) the author analyzed responses to demonstrate the variety of responsibilities assigned to the donor relations professional and the priorities placed on various skills and core competencies; summarize the current methods by which donor relations and stewardship is learned; and suggest formal mentoring as a means of transferring knowledge, skills and core competencies. Clarifying the standards of practice in donor relations and stewardship can emerge as an important outcome of this work.
Journal of Donor Relations & Stewardship, 2016
Strategic management of donor recognition is a hallmark of a fully mature approach to donor relat... more Strategic management of donor recognition is a hallmark of a fully mature approach to donor relations and stewardship. This article reviews the broad array of activities that fall under the heading “donor recognition” and addresses how the categories of donor recognition best align with organizational goals. It demonstrates how strategically planned donor recognition can benefit donor relations and stewardship, calls into question common practices and prepares the reader to better evaluate recent trends. The article includes tools for recognition program management, including preparing for change within the program over time.
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Papers by Anne Manner-McLarty