Extend the Relationship: From Donor to Advocate, from Gift to Legacy

Welcome to my B.R.I.D.G.E. blog series, a six-part guide for building stronger, more sustainable donor relationships. Each post explores one part of the B.R.I.D.G.E. Framework, my connection-based approach to major gift fundraising.

Here we are—Part 6, the final plank of the B.R.I.D.G.E. framework.
You’ve built connection, established rapport, invited to action, deepened trust, and guided the conversation.

The final piece? Extend the Relationship.

What This Means for Major Gifts

Extending the relationship means thinking beyond the current gift. It’s about nurturing a partnership that evolves over time.

Your most generous donors want to feel like part of the family. They want to see their impact grow. And they often have more to give—when they know they’re valued as more than a dollar sign.

This is where legacy gifts happen. Capital campaign leadership. Invitations to influence and inspire others.

A Client Story: The Donor Who Became a Champion

One executive director I worked with wasn’t sure what to do as a donor was in the middle of a five-year pledge. “I don’t want to go back too soon,” she said. "I'm sending updates, but I want to find another way to engage them."

But instead of another project update or making another Ask, I suggested she extend an invitation. “Would you be open to sharing your story with a few other supporters at our upcoming gathering?”

The donor said yes! And made a new $50,000 unrestricted gift later that year. Why? Likely because they felt seen as a partner, not just a giver.

Two Actions You Can Take This Month to Extend the Relationship

1. Ask a Donor to Share Their Story to Inspire Others

Identify 3 to 6 donors you’ve built strong relationships with, or who have been long-time supporters. Invite them to share why they give. (You may handle the interview or your communications team may prefer to.) They story could be shared in a newsletter, on your website, or at an event.

People love being invited to inspire, not just donate.

2. Talk About the Long-Term Vision

In your next meeting, weave in language like:

• “As we look to the next five years…”
• “You’ve already done so much—would you ever consider helping us shape what’s next?”
  It plants the seed for continued involvement—and positions them as a legacy partner.

The Upshot

When you extend the relationship, you move from fundraising into partnership-building. And in that space, both your donor and your mission can thrive.

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🌉 This wraps up the B.R.I.D.G.E. series!
Start from the beginning here, visit the lasts post, or revisit the post that spoke to you most.

💬 Want to build strong donor relationships—where they continue to give in good times and challenging times?

Let’s talk about how I can help you and your team strengthen your major gift strategy. Let's hop on a Connection Call!