Balloons, Babies & Building Relationships That Last

I went to a baby shower yesterday (cue the oohs and aahs). There were blue balloons, toddlers running in every direction, and one little girl who has no idea how much her world is about to change when her baby brother arrives.

Among the adults were family members, longtime friends of the parents, and several colleagues—people who only entered the hosts’ lives in recent years but have become part of their inner circle.

They’ve created a community together, one that now includes partners and kids, and one that shows up on weekends, not just workdays.

It was lovely to see and made me think of the friendships I’ve made in different chapters of my life—some that I’ve maintained and others that faded without any hard feelings.

My own experience supports the idea that the friendships we make in the chapter of parenthood can be lifelong, but they can also be temporary—lasting only through a particular job, daycare, or apartment.

And that’s okay.

The same is true in nonprofit fundraising. Some donors are with us only for a chapter. Each year, some literally move away, some pass on, and others shift priorities. Some supporters come to us through a single event or campaign and don’t feel compelled to give beyond that moment.

And that’s exactly why fundraisers must always do two things at once: steward current (and past) donors so they stay engaged when they can, and continually identify new prospects who will become the next season of supporters. I’ll only talk about stewardship today—and then I’ll reach out to some of those old friends to catch up!

Just like friendships, donor relationships flourish when they’re tended to with care, consistency, and genuine interest.

Here are some stewardship tools that mirror the ways we maintain human connections in our own lives:

Stewardship Tools (Inspired by Real-Life Friendship Building)

Sharing meaningful stories Friendships grow through shared experiences. Donors feel connected when you share stories of impact, behind-the-scenes moments, or updates about the programs they care about most.

Regular, personal check-ins Just as you’d text a friend to see how they’re doing, reaching out to donors outside of an ask—through a quick update, a thank-you, or a “thought you might appreciate this story”—keeps the relationship warm.

Remembering the details In friendship, remembering a birthday or asking about a child’s milestone matters. In stewardship, remembering a donor’s interests, giving history, or preferred communication style shows attentiveness and respect.

Inviting them into moments Just as you’d invite a friend to a gathering, offer donors opportunities—large and small—to engage: events, volunteer days, virtual briefings, or informal coffees with program staff.

Showing appreciation in authentic ways A handwritten note, a thoughtful message, or a small gesture can mean as much to a donor as it does to a friend. The key is sincerity, not scale.

Celebrating milestones Whether it’s a friend’s new baby or a donor’s five-year anniversary of giving, acknowledging milestones builds emotional connection and reminds them their presence truly matters.

Offering transparency when things get tough In close friendships, honesty builds trust. When your organization faces challenges, sharing candid updates with donors (without panic) reinforces confidence in your leadership and mission.

Following through—every time In friendships, reliability is everything. In stewardship, fulfilling promises—sending a report, providing a follow-up answer, connecting them with a program lead—signals that your organization is dependable and values their involvement.

For a review of your donor database and a conversation about stewarding your old friends for retention, reach out to Team Kat & Mouse.

We’d love to help—and then celebrate with you (we’ll even bring the balloons).