> Skip to content
FEATURED:
  • Philanthropy 50
  • Nonprofits and the Trump Agenda
  • Impact Stories Hub
Sign In
  • Latest
  • Commons
  • Advice
  • Opinion
  • Webinars
  • Online Events
  • Data
  • Grants
  • Magazine
  • Store
    • Featured Products
    • Data
    • Reports
    • Collections
    • Back Issues
    • Webinars
    • Featured Products
    • Data
    • Reports
    • Collections
    • Back Issues
    • Webinars
  • Jobs
    • Find a Job
    • Post a Job
    • Career Advice
    • Find a Job
    • Post a Job
    • Career Advice
Sign In
  • Latest
  • Commons
  • Advice
  • Opinion
  • Webinars
  • Online Events
  • Data
  • Grants
  • Magazine
  • Store
    • Featured Products
    • Data
    • Reports
    • Collections
    • Back Issues
    • Webinars
    • Featured Products
    • Data
    • Reports
    • Collections
    • Back Issues
    • Webinars
  • Jobs
    • Find a Job
    • Post a Job
    • Career Advice
    • Find a Job
    • Post a Job
    • Career Advice
  • Latest
  • Commons
  • Advice
  • Opinion
  • Webinars
  • Online Events
  • Data
  • Grants
  • Magazine
  • Store
    • Featured Products
    • Data
    • Reports
    • Collections
    • Back Issues
    • Webinars
    • Featured Products
    • Data
    • Reports
    • Collections
    • Back Issues
    • Webinars
  • Jobs
    • Find a Job
    • Post a Job
    • Career Advice
    • Find a Job
    • Post a Job
    • Career Advice
Sign In
ADVERTISEMENT
Advice
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Show more sharing options
Share
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Copy Link URLCopied!
  • Print

Getting Comfortable Working With Ultrawealthy Donors

By  Maria Di Mento
May 14, 2015

You’ve always had a knack for landing six-figure gifts, but now your donor portfolio has grown to include ultrahigh-net-worth philanthropists with the capacity to give multimillion-dollar donations. That is a level of wealth you’ve never dealt with — and it is nerve-wracking.

“It’s really easy to be intimidated by the wealth and the number of people around the donor to the point where you can’t interact naturally,” says Rebecca Bowen, chief development officer at Panthera, a wildcat conservation group. “It’s like they’re not a real person.”

We're sorry. Something went wrong.

We are unable to fully display the content of this page.

The most likely cause of this is a content blocker on your computer or network.

Please allow access to our site, and then refresh this page. You may then be asked to log in, create an account if you don't already have one, or subscribe.

If you continue to experience issues, please contact us at 571-540-8070 or cophelp@philanthropy.com

You’ve always had a knack for landing six-figure gifts, but now your donor portfolio has grown to include ultrahigh-net-worth philanthropists with the capacity to give multimillion-dollar donations. That is a level of wealth you’ve never dealt with — and it is nerve-wracking.

“It’s really easy to be intimidated by the wealth and the number of people around the donor to the point where you can’t interact naturally,” says Rebecca Bowen, chief development officer at Panthera, a wildcat conservation group. “It’s like they’re not a real person.”

Interaction with all donors, regardless of how much they have to give, requires humility, respect, and a certain amount of strategy. Those capable of giving mega-gifts, however, often need much more time and attention to feel comfortable and confident enough to donate millions, say experts.

For one thing, these donors’ schedules are complex. They are sometimes surrounded by gatekeepers and advisers, and make no mistake: yours is not the only nonprofit clamoring for their time, attention, and largesse.

“The difference between middle donors and someone who can make an enormous gift is they’ve got key advisers around them,” says Ms. Bowen. “When you have lots of advisors involved you have complexity, but you also have lots of people you can ask.”

ADVERTISEMENT

In other words, rather than viewing advisers as barriers to the donor or one more anxiety-inducing factor, development professionals should consider them as people who can provide a window into how the donor thinks, say fundraising experts. They can offer valuable insight into his or her temperament, preferred modes of communication, likes and dislikes.

“Those relationships have to be tailored, so I look to their advisers to help me figure out how the donors want to be dealt with,” says Ms. Bowen.

It’s also important to understand that these donors are working with you in their free time. While you get paid to interact with philanthropists Monday through Friday of every week, your donor does not.

“Put yourself in the place of that donor and appreciate what their day might be like,” says Dave Krepcho, president of Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. “It may be filled with things that are 10 times the size of what you’ve got going on, so you can’t be tugging on their apron strings constantly.”

Experts say it comes down to basic respect for others and the professional wisdom to think carefully about your actions and behavior.

ADVERTISEMENT

And don’t despair if you make a mistake with a wealthy donor. Most professionals who are new to working with the ultrawealthy will make at least one faux pas at some point, especially since every donor has a different sense of boundaries. When that happens, Ms. Bowen says it’s best to turn to your head of development for support.

“It’s the job of a good development manager to look out for you,” she says. “If you make a mistake or accidentally cross a boundary, a good manager will help you figure out how to self-correct.”

Read other items in this Reader’s Choice: This Year’s Top Resources package.
We welcome your thoughts and questions about this article. Please email the editors or submit a letter for publication.
Fundraising from IndividualsMajor-Gift Fundraising
Maria Di Mento
Maria directs the annual Philanthropy 50, a comprehensive report on America’s most generous donors. She writes about wealthy philanthropists, arts organizations, key trends and insights related to high-net-worth donors, and other topics.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
SPONSORED, GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY

Related Content

  • How to Make the Most of Your Meetings with Big Donors
  • Explore
    • Latest Articles
    • Get Newsletters
    • Advice
    • Webinars
    • Data & Research
    • Podcasts
    • Magazine
    • Chronicle Store
    • Find a Job
    • Impact Stories
    Explore
    • Latest Articles
    • Get Newsletters
    • Advice
    • Webinars
    • Data & Research
    • Podcasts
    • Magazine
    • Chronicle Store
    • Find a Job
    • Impact Stories
  • The Chronicle
    • About Us
    • Our Mission and Values
    • Work at the Chronicle
    • User Agreement
    • Privacy Policy
    • California Privacy Policy
    • Gift-Acceptance Policy
    • Gifts and Grants Received
    • Site Map
    • DEI Commitment Statement
    • Chronicle Fellowships
    • Pressroom
    The Chronicle
    • About Us
    • Our Mission and Values
    • Work at the Chronicle
    • User Agreement
    • Privacy Policy
    • California Privacy Policy
    • Gift-Acceptance Policy
    • Gifts and Grants Received
    • Site Map
    • DEI Commitment Statement
    • Chronicle Fellowships
    • Pressroom
  • Customer Assistance
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise With Us
    • Post a Job
    • Reprints & Permissions
    • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
    • Advertising Terms and Conditions
    Customer Assistance
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise With Us
    • Post a Job
    • Reprints & Permissions
    • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
    • Advertising Terms and Conditions
  • Subscribe
    • Individual Subscriptions
    • Site License Subscriptions
    • Subscription & Account FAQ
    • Manage Newsletters
    • Manage Your Account
    Subscribe
    • Individual Subscriptions
    • Site License Subscriptions
    • Subscription & Account FAQ
    • Manage Newsletters
    • Manage Your Account
1255 23rd Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20037
© 2025 The Chronicle of Philanthropy
  • twitter
  • instagram
  • youtube
  • facebook
  • linkedin