It Takes a Village: Expanding the Donor Pipeline through Strategic Partnerships

When the donor pipeline grows, the entire organization wins. Yet it often feels like our pipeline building efforts are disjointed. In this session, we will share Ohio State's innovative approach to a pipeline building partnership between Prospect Development and the Engagement Center. Over the last two years, our teams have collaborated to build a fundraiser referral program and - through leadership trust and support - grow it from a state of organic discovery into an intentional and evolving area of pipeline building, with over 350 prospects referred, 50% of these assigned to fundraiser portfolios, and a growing number of gifts secured. We will share the evolution of our partnership along with wins, setbacks, and ideas on how you could implement something similar at your own institution regardless of structure or size.

Learning Objectives:

Attendees can identify strategic ways to partner with engagement professionals to expand the donor pipeline.
Attendees can track, measure, and show the impact of a new referral process.

Sarah Luckey

Sr. Associate Director, Research & Prospect Management

The Ohio State University

Sarah Luckey is the Senior Associate Director, Research & Prospect Management at The Ohio State University. She has been with Ohio State since 2012, during that time she has served on both the prospect research and prospect management sides of her team. Sarah enjoys solving complex data problems, advising frontline fundraisers, and working with an amazing team of prospect development professionals. Sarah holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from The Ohio State University and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Mount Union. She resides in Dublin, Ohio with her husband and twin daughters.