Cultivating Gratitude and Major Giving—Highlights from the Nonprofit Mission-Focused Mixer

August 18, 2025- Nonprofit leaders and changemakers gathered for a dynamic Mission-Focused Mixer, hosted by Elise Woodworth, nonprofit board relations coach and author of Business Not Battle for Nonprofit Boards. The session centered on the power of gratitude in nonprofit work and the art of cultivating major gifts, with special guest Sarah Grebow, a seasoned major gifts consultant.

Refocusing on Mission and Gratitude Elise opened the meeting by inviting participants to share their organizations’ missions and the one word that motivates their work. Words like “community,” “opportunity,” “impact,” and “growth” set the tone for a conversation rooted in purpose and collective action. Elise emphasized the importance of amplifying board members’ impact, encouraging everyone to move beyond routine board meetings and become true advocates for their organizations.

“Mission-focused mixers are an opportunity for all of us to take a step back from the everyday operations and get refocused on the mission,” Elise shared. Creative Ways to Say Thank You The group discussed innovative approaches to expressing gratitude to donors and board members. Ideas ranged from handwritten thank-you cards and personalized video messages to unique tokens of appreciation, like custom coins or even original music. These creative gestures, participants agreed, help foster deeper relationships and lasting memories.

Sarah Grebow’s Insights on Major Giving Sarah Grebow brought her expertise in major gift philanthropy to the conversation, highlighting the importance of authentic, individualized relationships between nonprofits and donors. She explained that transformational gifts are built on trust, shared values, and a deep understanding of both the organization’s mission and the donor’s philanthropic goals.

“Major giving is about the uniqueness of your organization and the donor as an individual. We’re talking about creating a partnership that is different from transactional giving,” Sarah explained.

Sarah also encouraged organizations to empower their boards in stewardship roles, even if members are hesitant about fundraising. “Maybe they are only interested in gratitude, and that is huge. Having board members involved in donor stewardship on its own is incredibly powerful,” she said.

Actionable Takeaways

Throughout the meeting, participants shared practical strategies for board engagement and donor stewardship, such as:

• Equipping board members with stories of impact and easy-to-use thank-you templates.

• Assigning board members specific donors to thank after each meeting.

• Using community-wide gratitude events to celebrate donors, staff, and volunteers.

• Providing regular, authentic updates to donors to build trust and demonstrate impact.

A Spirit of Collaboration

The session concluded with a collaborative discussion, as attendees exchanged ideas and reflected on the importance of gratitude in building strong nonprofit communities. Elise and Sarah’s leadership, combined with the group’s collective wisdom, left everyone inspired to bring new energy and creativity to their organizations’ gratitude and fundraising efforts. As Elise reminded everyone,

“You don’t have to know everything—bring in people who know best, and don’t be afraid to ask your board for ideas. Think of them as a think tank for gratitude.”

The Mission-Focused Mixer was a testament to the power of community, gratitude, and shared learning in the nonprofit sector. If you’re looking to ignite, inspire, and grow your organization, consider how gratitude can be the bridge to deeper relationships and greater impact.

If you'd like to sponsor, speak, or join the conversation for the next Mission Focused Mixer, check our EVENTS page. They are held quarterly. We'd love to have you join us!