117: Magnetic Fundraising: How Community Building Moves Us from Transactional to Authentic Relationships with Sara Lomelin

What does it mean to be a magnetic fundraiser? It means you attract abundance and connection instead of chasing it. Magnetic fundraisers are authentic, good listeners who prioritize meaningful connection with donors over outcomes. So, it’s possible to be fully authentic when asking people for money? Of course it is! 

Sara Lomelin, CEO of Philanthropy Together, is working to diversify and democratize philanthropy by creating the infrastructure needed for the giving circle model to flourish in all communities. Philanthropy Together is a global initiative, co-created by hundreds of giving circles and collective giving network leaders, to diversify and democratize philanthropy, help start new giving circles, and help existing giving circles thrive.

In this episode, Sara describes her approach to being an authentic, magnetic fundraiser with an abundance mindset, instead of a transactional fundraiser in a scarcity mindset. She also talks about why giving circles are so successful at fundraising and building strong, authentic donor relationships. 

Tune in to learn Sara’s best tips and strategies for talking to donors, creating safe spaces for connection and transparency, and increasing both the effectiveness and the efficiency of your fundraising efforts.


Get all the resources from today’s episode here. 

Many thanks to our sponsor, Givebutter for making this episode possible. Our friends at Givebutter really understand what it takes to be a magnetic fundraiser. Their fundraising platform empowers millions of changemakers to raise more, pay less, and give better every single day. To learn more about them, head on over to givebutter.com/mallory.


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