February 2020 — In Service: The Column of the ADRP President

Michal Shaw
AVP of Donor Relations
Oklahoma State University Foundation

Our profession centers around creating love connections – love for patients, art, history, education, research, nature, you name it. Every day we get the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues to build and strengthen donor relationships through strategic communications and engagement opportunities that celebrate donor impact. As donor relations professionals, we get to actively participate in shaping connections and moments that create meaning for our donors. Whether it’s an impact report, acknowledgement, endowment report, event, or face-to-face meeting with a recipient, we get to play an important role in creating a donor experience and, ultimately, motivate and inspire continued engagement. We get the opportunity to see people when they are at their very best – when they are giving back to make a positive change.

What we do serves as the pivotal link between giving and receiving. We are relationship experts tasked with balancing organizational needs and donor passions. We understand that delivering exceptional donor experiences and stewardship makes all the difference. And our work doesn’t stop with donors. It’s in our DNA and permeates in our relationships with colleagues, peers, and the ADRP community. Considering that people who practice gratitude seem measurably happier and more pleasant to be around, it’s no surprise that our ADRP membership is vibrant and incredibly special. What a gift it is to work in a field that is centered on connections and gratitude!

With much love and gratitude for donor relations and the ADRP community,

Michal