For transactional donors, recognition is often a driving factor. In return for their donation, the transactional donor may receive a plaque, their name engraved on a wall, or their gala attendance photo on the society page. Others are happy to simply receive a set of return address labels or notepads decorated with the nonprofit’s logo. A transactional gift rarely gives a donor the opportunity to understand and appreciate the non-profit’s vision and long-term impact. Without creating passion for the cause, the charity is left with no other resource that to keep the giver on their mailing list and ask over and over again.

Transformational donors are deeply concerned about the impact of their monetary gift. They are passionate about a cause and want to share their resources to support the nonprofit that shares that passion. Their gift is “transformational” — that is, the giving experience “transforms” or changes both the donor and the nonprofit. Donors have been described as “an actor in a story about how a group of people trying to build a better future were able to do it because there were so many heads, hands, and hearts playing the same role.

If you want to learn more about moving from transactional to transformational giving, or want to step up your game in a localized, personal way right here in Columbus (or anywhere in the world), the Stewardship Foundation can explain how you can develop a strategic approach for a lifetime of giving and engagement. Start now to make an impact in extraordinary ways. Contact Joe Finneran, (614) 800-7985