Beyond the Ask: Building Donor Relationships

with Hillary Ryan, WithinReach

In today’s noisy fundraising landscape, authenticity and connection matter more than ever. This session explores how nonprofits can move beyond transactional giving campaigns to create donor relationships that are deeply rooted in trust, mission, and shared purpose. Drawing from her work leading integrated fundraising and communications strategies at WithinReach, the College Success Foundation, and multiple cultural institutions, Hillary Ryan, APR, will share how thoughtful storytelling, transparent impact reporting, and consistent engagement can transform donor relationships into long-term partnerships. Participants will learn how to weave together fundraising and communications strategies to inspire giving, build loyalty, and strengthen community connection. Attendees will leave with practical tools and real-world examples they can immediately apply—whether their organization is large or small—to elevate donor engagement, deepen relationships, and sustain fundraising success. This session embodies Weaving the Work by focusing on how authentic donor relationships—rooted in shared values and mutual trust—build stronger, more resilient nonprofits. When organizations cultivate donors as true partners rather than funders, they strengthen the ecosystem of community support that allows missions to thrive through change and growth.