April 2, 2026

We will share your nonprofit news with the community at no cost. All news submitted must be brief and submitted using the online form on our website www.gcnonprofitnews.com. GC Nonprofit News submissions should be edited to one or two sentences and can include a web link that provides readers with easy access to additional information.

Using the online form ensures we have the information we need to effectively publish your news. Submit here.

In partnership with local nonprofits and our sponsors, GC Nonprofit News strives to create a more informed, open and connected community, by sharing nonprofit news, job openings, and resources.

Be informed and stay connected by reading GC Nonprofit News every week. Jane 😊

Share This Email

Jane Page-Steiner, Owner & Publisher – jane@gcnonprofitnews.com

Kelli Tarantino, Editor - kelli@gcnonprofitnews.com

*REMINDER: Please submit your news by 2pm on Tuesday and jobs by 10am on Wednesday for Thursday's issue of GC Nonprofit News. Jobs submitted after 10am on Wednesday will appear in the following week's eNews.

How Listening to Donors Can Strengthen Relationships and Funding

by Bill Shiell

Development officers spend much of their time showing donors, and each other, how much they matter. Yet building strong, lasting relationships can be difficult. Often, the issue isn’t the donor — it’s the story we tell ourselves about them, especially when donor listening is missing from the process.

When Assumptions Replace Understanding

Take a new vice president at a growing nonprofit focused on sustainable solutions for people experiencing food insecurity and homelessness. After meeting with the development committee, one priority stood out: recapturing a lapsed donor who had historically been the organization’s largest supporter.

Like many fundraisers, the vice president started with the file. They examined giving history, internal notes, and program updates, and spoke with program managers. From this, a narrative emerged.

According to the records, the donor had lost confidence in the organization because of a past offense by a predecessor. The previous vice president was technically skilled and knew the programs, tracked metrics, wrote proposals, and was comfortable asking for gifts. In meetings with this donor, however, the conversation often focused on the donor in abstract terms rather than engaging with the donor directly.

Over time, this story shaped the staff and board’s mindset. The donor became a distant figure, imagined as a difficult, high-net-worth supporter. The team talked about the donor instead of with him.

What the Donor Actually Needed

Jennifer Breheny Wallace, in her book “Mattering,” explains that to matter is to feel valued and to add value. For fundraisers, this means questioning whether we truly understand our donors.

Donors, like the clients nonprofits serve, have emotional needs. They want to feel recognized, accepted, and appreciated for who they are. Listening is how those needs are uncovered.

When the vice president finally met the donor, they discovered the organization’s story was mostly incorrect. The issue wasn’t past interactions — it was personal.

The donor admired the previous vice president’s work and was not upset about past interactions. Their concern focused on a brother, who had been active in society but was now unhoused. The nonprofit had shifted resources away from this area of interest, which the donor described as “mission drift.”

The vice president responded with empathy. They asked questions and listened. They then worked with program staff to realign resources with the donor’s interests. They apologized for areas where the organization had drifted.

The donor requested a new proposal, which led to a six-figure gift and a renewed relationship built on trust.

What Fundraisers Can Learn

This story provides several practical lessons for the nonprofit sector.

Donors are people, not checkbooks. They have personal motivations and values that influence their giving. Recognizing these drivers can improve engagement and foster long-term relationships.

Your internal narrative matters. Mischaracterizing a donor can create distance and misaligned strategies. Staff should ensure their narrative reflects the donor’s real priorities and concerns.

Listening is a strategic tool. Taking time to ask questions and engage with donors’ perspectives can uncover priorities that standard reports and proposals cannot.

Relationships require ongoing attention. Donor interests and organizational priorities evolve. Reassessing alignment and demonstrating a willingness to adapt strengthens long-term partnerships.

Nonprofits often focus on metrics, outcomes, and funding strategies. These are important, but relationships remain the foundation of philanthropy. Intentional donor listening can turn lapsed relationships into renewed support — and long-term engagement.

This example shows what happens when fundraisers replace assumptions with understanding. For fundraisers, the lesson is clear: invest in understanding your donors. When organizations commit to this practice, they build trust, strengthen giving, and create lasting impact.

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

Mykayla Kroeger, CVA has joined the La Soupe team as their Director of Volunteer Engagement.

First Tee of Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky has named Myanna Webster as its new Executive Director.

Ignite Peace (formerly the Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center) is excited to welcome Kelly Sheehy as the new Director of Development and Communications.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Victorian at Riverside is grateful to receive a $10,000 grant to provide meals for older adults with dementia in assisted living. This project was financially assisted by H.B., E.W. & F.R. Luther Charitable Foundation, Fifth Third Bank, N.A., Trustee.

OneSource Center for Nonprofit Excellence, Leadership Council for Nonprofits, Social Venture Partners Cincinnati (SVP), and Cincinnati Cares announced today that they have entered into discussions to explore the potential merger of the four organizations. These discussions reflect a shared commitment to strengthening nonprofit organizations, philanthropic giving, and supporting volunteer engagement across Greater Cincinnati. The organizations will now enter a due diligence phase to evaluate whether a merger would enhance service delivery, improve sustainability, and advance long-term community impact.

Cincinnati Therapeutic Riding and Horsemanship (CTRH) is proud to announce it has been awarded a $25,000 grant from The Charles H. Dater Foundation. This generous funding will directly support CTRH’s equine-assisted services, helping to expand access to life-changing programs for individuals with disabilities.

A new public art project in Covington is set to make LGBTQIA+ visibility a permanent part of the region’s landscape. ArtsWave and its ArtsWave Pride affinity group has announced a call for artists to create a mural reflecting the spirit of Pride. The commissioned mural, the first of its kind for the affinity group, will be installed on the west-facing exterior of Madison Design’s building at 515 Madison Ave. Find more details here.

St. Vincent de Paul Northern Kentucky (SVdP NKY) is proud to recognize the generosity of Florence Elks Lodge #314 and the Florence Elks Lodge #314 Ladies Auxiliary for their continued support of SVdP NKY’s Sweet Dreams Bed Program. Members contributed a combined total of $4,250 this March to help ensure local children and families have a safe and comfortable place to sleep. grateful for a $10,000 grant from the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation to sustain and expand our clothing PACK Program.

Talbert House is grateful to receive a $50,000 award for the Hamilton County Crisis Center, financially assisted by Jacob G. Schmidlapp Trust, Fifth Third Bank, N.A., Trustee.

Leadership Council for Nonprofits is grateful for a grant from Millstone Fund supporting A Force for Good, a program dedicated to strengthening and developing the nonprofit workforce across our region.

Pig Works, the parent organization of the Flying Pig Marathon, today announced the public phase of its $12 million capital campaign, When Pigs Fly, Anything’s Possible, inviting the Greater Cincinnati community to help accelerate the next chapter of growth, health, and economic impact across the region.

FUNDING AND RESOURCE OPPORTUNITIES

ArtsWave and MeetNKY have opened applications for the 2026 Northern Kentucky Creative Placemaking Grant, a program supporting arts and cultural heritage projects that activate public spaces, strengthen neighborhoods and contribute to Northern Kentucky’s cultural identity and visitor appeal. The competitive grant program provides up to $10,000 per project, or up to 50% of total project expenses, to nonprofit organizations proposing arts-driven initiatives that contribute to community development across Northern Kentucky. Funded projects will take place between June 1, 2026, and May 31, 2027. Find full grant guidelines and apply here.

OneSource Center created the Emerging Leader Award to recognize talented nonprofit professionals who demonstrate exceptional promise and a commitment to strengthening the nonprofit sector. The Award provides a full scholarship for the selected honoree to participate in the EXCEL Executive Leadership Program, including one year of executive coaching. Find more information and nomination form here.

A Spring 2026 class at NKU will look at occupational therapy intervention and program planning for group and activity development. We are looking for community partners to help us teach our students. We would like to invite applications from nonprofits (or programs within nonprofits) that are focused on supporting psychosocial support and group opportunities towards building a stronger community. One agency will be selected by the students to receive a $2,000 grant to support the implementation of an occupational therapy-psychosocial health and wellness site objectives. Find more information here or contact Angela Boyd at boyda9@nku.edu.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Join us for a relaxed and engaging Coffee & Collaboration meetup hosted by Community Shares. This monthly gathering takes place on the 4th Wednesday of each month, with our next session on April 22, 9:30am–11:30am. Build meaningful relationships, exchange ideas, and enjoy fresh coffee and pastries while connecting with others who are passionate about making an impact. Register here by April 21.

Join nonprofit leaders for a Lunch & Learn focused on nonprofit compliance, facilitated by Paul Pennington on April 22, noon-1:30pm. Gain practical insights, share best practices, and connect with peers, all over a catered box lunch. Community shares members, staff, volunteers, and board members are free. Non-members pay $15. Register here by April 16.

Join HOME April 10^th, 2:00pm-5:00pm at the Fairfield Lane Library for an informative and empowering event focused on your tenant rights. You will learn how to identify housing discrimination, understand what protections you have under fair housing laws, and explore steps you can take if you experience unequal treatment. You’ll also have the opportunity to connect directly with local organizations and resources to help you feel more confident, informed, and prepared.

Immigration enforcement activity can be unpredictable — but your organization can still be prepared. Join Pro Bono Partnership of Ohio for a practical, nonprofit-focused live webinar on Wednesday, April 22, at 1:00pm: Are You Ready? A Leadership Guide to ICE Interactions & I-9 Obligations. Learn more and register here.

ResultsLab is bringing together a panel of experienced leaders for a candid conversation designed specifically for nonprofit executives and boards navigating organizational change. Join us for Considering Mergers: Strategies for a Successful Integration, April 21, 1:00pm EST. In this panel conversation, you'll hear directly from leaders who have guided organizations through mergers and major transitions, sharing real stories, lessons learned, and what they wish they had known before starting the journey. Register here.

BOLD (Board Orientation + Leadership Development) is designed for new and aspiring board leaders to put their passion into action. Powered by Leadership Council for Nonprofits, this 4-week cohort is taught by the Tristate’s most respected nonprofit leaders and focused on personalized mentoring and making connections to potential board roles. Spots are still available in the spring cohort, running 4/30 - 5/21/26 (deadline 4/17/26). Register here.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

St. Joseph Home is seeking volunteers to help with Incline to Finish Line 5K on April 18. This event brings together our community to support those with not just developmental disabilities but individuals of all abilities. Find more information and register here.

Fostering a healthy board-CEO relationship

Want to learn how to manage issues with the volunteer board of directors?

Policy shifts raise new questions for nonprofit fundraising and reporting Policymakers are weighing changes that could affect how nonprofits fundraise, report, and manage costs.

Our sponsor and partner marketplace serves to further connect our readers with our advertisers who are focused on serving nonprofits. To learn more about a sponsor's nonprofit services, click on their ad. Contact Kelli Tarantino, editor, at kelli@gcnonprofitnews.com to discover how your business or organization can become a sponsor/advertiser of the Greater Cincinnati Nonprofit News.

"When I asked my friend about getting GC Nonprofit News years ago, I did not dream it would have such an impact. However, I learned through your newsletter of an open position at Council on Aging. I was hired by COA and couldn’t be happier. And it all started with GC Nonprofit News."

- Lisa Kruse, Council on Aging

Why advertise your job in GC Nonprofit News?

7,700+ readers and growing
80% of readers are nonprofit staff and 49% have worked in the nonprofit community > 10 years.
60% average open rate (triple the industry average)
11% average click through rate (double the industry average)
We bring experienced applicants to your organization.