Donor Development & Retention: Building Lasting Relationships That Sustain Your Mission
THE FUNDRAISING ACADEMY FOR GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATIONS™
AcademyGO is excited to offer The Fundraising Academy Workshop Series interactive virtual sessions designed to help nonprofit leaders build confidence, strengthen donor relationships, and develop a strategic fundraising plan.
Session 3: Donor Development & Retention: Building Lasting Relationships That Sustain Your Mission: Learn proven strategies for cultivating and retaining donors, building lasting relationships that sustain your organization’s mission over time.
Secure your spot today! Date: September 9, 2026
Location: Zoom
Time: 9am – 12pm
Cost: $60 for each workshop for AcademyGO members | $75 for non-members
Questions? Admin2@AcademyGO.com
Register: https://academygo.memberzone.com/eventregistration/register/1338
Sponsored by
The Fundraising Academy Workshop Series: Donor Development and Retention: Building Lasting Relationships That Sustain Your Mission
Successful fundraising is about more than making the ask—it’s about building meaningful relationships that inspire long-term support. Yet many nonprofits spend more time searching for new donors than cultivating the supporters they already have.
In this interactive workshop, participants will learn practical strategies for donor development, retention, and prospect identification. Through hands-on activities, attendees will explore the “Fundraising from the Inside Out” model, learn the ABCs of identifying donor prospects, and discover how to strengthen donor relationships before, during, and after the ask.
Participants will leave with practical tools they can immediately implement to expand their donor base, deepen donor engagement, and improve donor retention.
Learning Objectives / Key Takeaways:
- Understand why donor retention is often more valuable than constant donor acquisition
- Learn the “Fundraising from the Inside Out” framework for identifying fundraising opportunities
- Identify and prioritize prospective donors using the ABC model: Access, Belief, and Capacity
- Understand why relationships—not wealth—are the most important factor in fundraising success
- Learn how to segment prospects and match cultivation strategies to donor readiness
- Gain confidence in making direct and effective fundraising asks
- Explore practical stewardship strategies that strengthen donor loyalty and long-term support
Speaker: Connie Golds, Connie Golds Consulting
Connie Golds has dedicated her life to uplifting and empowering the Coachella Valley community, guided by her belief in making the world “a little better than she found it.”
As the founder of Desert Best Friend’s Closet (DBFC), Connie led the only nonprofit in the region that provides free interview training and professional wardrobe services to help community members secure employment. During her 14-year tenure as CEO, DBFC transformed the lives of more than 8,000 individuals, equipping them with the confidence, skills and attire to succeed in their careers and beyond.
Connie’s expertise and passion for community service make her a sought-after voice on nonprofit governance. She has served in leadership roles for numerous organizations, including the Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio Council, where she continues her lifelong commitment to scouting after 13 years as a Girl Scout leader. She also now provides nonprofits and their leaders with coaching services through her consultancy, Connie Golds Consulting. She is the author of the weekly blog, “Hey Nonprofit Leader” available for free on Substack.
In addition to her nonprofit work, Connie is a Black Belt in Shito-Ryu Karate-Do and a dedicated instructor, teaching Karate and Kobudo to both neurodivergent and neurotypical students. Her journey in martial arts, which began over a decade ago, has given her new avenues to mentor and inspire others.
A resident of the Coachella Valley for more than 40 years, she is a proud mother to three adult children and a doting “Nana” to her two granddaughters.