Melissa DeClue

Chief Engagement Strategist
Amplify Missions

Can you tell us about your career trajectory? How did you come into donor relations as a career?

I didn’t graduate wanting to become a donor relations professional. In 2013, while working as a department assistant at a technical college, I had the opportunity to apply to become a donor relations coordinator. The role immediately caught my attention because it involved building and nurturing relationships, as well as reporting - all of which were similar to my daily interactions with faculty, staff, and students. I started attending CASE Donor Relations and ADRP conferences and began to learn how special this field really is. Since then, I have been working in donor relations, and it's safe to say that I absolutely love what I do.

What influenced your interest in and passion for donor relations? 

I am fascinated by the opportunity and the ability to be the “dot connector.” We are professionals who serve and connect people in transformative ways behind the scenes through advancement services all the way to major gift fundraisers. The possibilities in this field seem endless. Throughout my career, I’ve made impactful connections that enabled me to establish relationships beyond my time at an organization.

What lessons, words of advice/inspiration would you like to pass on to other donor relations professionals?

YOU ARE A FUNDRAISER! Throughout my career, I've seen donor relations professionals diminish their value because they are perceived as support staff. As a donor relations professional, you are essential in forming strategies and maintaining relationships that lead to impactful gifts every day.

Can you talk about a specific donor engagement or stewardship activity that makes you feel like you are providing the best experience for donors? 

I enjoy working with small to midsize organizations, guiding them toward the power of building relationships through effective donor engagement strategies. Witnessing the growth and success of starter non-profits, once struggling to make their mission heard and seen, now making a significant impact in their community is truly rewarding. I met this amazing founder at the start of my consultancy based out of Indianapolis. It was one of those fortuitous moments where we were both looking for someone who would just believe in us. We did weekly check-in calls to reach her strategic goals. Some days we accomplished a lot and some days it was just listening to her frustration. A revised mission, vision, and programmatic structure later, and she is a fully operational nonprofit. I am so grateful we met and worked together.
 
When did you become an ADRP member? 

I’ve been a member since 2013.

Why is ADRP membership important to you? 

I see ADRP as the leading authority for donor relations practices. Members bring innovation to the industry, keeping me up-to-date with the latest trends and organizational needs.

ADRP is universally recognized as the authority on donor engagement for the philanthropy profession. In your own words, how does ADRP serve you in the form of professional development?

Participating in volunteer opportunities has been a crucial aspect of my personal and professional development, as it allows me to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in my field. Recently, I had the honor of serving as the chairperson for the ADRP Southeast Conference, an incredible and memorable experience that allowed me to further hone my leadership skills and expand my network within the industry.