This conversation is part of the Nonprofit Leadership Center’s Stronger Nonprofit Series, presented in collaboration with the Florida Blue Foundation and GuideWell. The series provides actionable insights to help nonprofit leaders and board members strengthen their organizations through effective governance, fundraising, and strategic planning.
Fundraising is more than a financial necessity — it’s a reflection of your nonprofit’s relationships, reputation and relevance. Lorraine Shim, Chief Development Officer at the Broward Partnership, recently sat down with Nonprofit Leadership Center CEO Charlie Imbergamo to explore how nonprofits can build impactful partnerships that last.
Reflecting upon her more than two decades of experience in healthcare, education and social services, Lorraine shares proven strategies for cultivating donors, engaging board members, and ensuring fundraising efforts are both mission-aligned and relationship-centered.
Relationships: The Heart of Sustainable Fundraising
“Fundraising is all about relationships,” Lorraine shares — and that’s more than a philosophy, it’s a practice. Whether with donors, corporate partners, foundations, or grants, she says building trust is essential.
Lorraine believes one of her most valuable assets is her board fundraising committee. Here’s how she empowers them (and how you can, too):
- Encourages board members to open new doors using their personal and professional networks
- Taps committee members to bring people to events and make introductions
- Follows up promptly and personally after every connection
“The biggest misconception is thinking your job is done after you bring someone to an event or tour. That is only the beginning. Real relationships are built after the introduction.”
Mission Alignment: Finding the Right Donors
When it comes to fund development, not all dollars are created equal. Lorraine urges nonprofit professionals to be selective and strategic — focusing on the funders and partners who have goals that align closely with their mission and community.
Successful fundraising starts with a shared purpose. Lorraine suggests beginning with a clear understanding of your mission and values, and then seeking donors and partners whose priorities genuinely match the organization’s. To find the right donors, Lorraine offers the following advice:
- Ask thoughtful questions during introductions to understand a potential donor’s values and priorities.
- Review a funder’s geographic focus. Even though a funder says they support organizations in Florida, they might prioritize — or deprioritize — specific counties.
- Ask board and committee members if they have personal connections that can offer insight or open doors.
To deepen relationships with corporate partners, Lorraine developed a corporate partnership program that uses a structured approach to year-round engagement rather than one-time sponsorships.
“Instead of going back to corporate sponsors for every individual event, we created a year-long partnership model. It’s been very instrumental.”
By offering businesses consistent opportunities to contribute and be recognized, the program strengthens both their support and visibility.
Donor Stewardship is a Practice in Gratitude
Expressing thanks for support isn’t just polite — it’s powerful. To Lorraine, thoughtful stewardship is what converts first-time donors into long-term partners.
Lorraine shares that her best fundraising comes from consistent, heartfelt appreciation. Her approach includes:
- Sending handwritten thank-you notes
- Recognizing contributions in newsletters and other public channels (with permission)
- Inviting supporters to events or activities that go behind the scenes to see and understand what their gifts are making possible
- Following up with donors after they attend events for feedback and ideas
Looking Ahead While Staying Grounded
While Lorraine acknowledges the growing presence and importance of AI, cryptocurrency, and online giving platforms, she advises organizations to lead with intention over trends.
The tools we use for fundraising may constantly change, but the need for authenticity and gratitude remains constant.
Lorraine shares the following considerations when implementing new technologies:
- Establish clear policies before adopting new tools.
- Ensure staff members understand innovations before putting them to use (e.g., how to use AI responsibly, how cryptocurrency works and how to manage those funds).
- Carefully review all AI-generated content to ensure it reflects the organization’s unique tone and values.
“People can take something from ChatGPT that isn’t genuine to the organization. You have to make sure it has the essence of your organization.”
Put simply: embrace innovation when it adds value, but never at the expense of your nonprofit’s trust or authenticity.
Ready to level up your fundraising?
Whether you’re a nonprofit leader, development professional, or board member, growing your fundraising capacity starts with strong relationships, mission alignment and stewardship.
The Nonprofit Leadership Center offers training, events and resources to help you lead your fundraising efforts with confidence and purpose.
