Stewardship vs. Donor Relations – Stewardship is focused on the gift, not the giver. It is not shepherding the donor along to the next gift. You steward resources, not people. Using the term to describe the ways fundraisers relate to donors or encourage them to make additional gifts is disrespectful because it reduces donors to resources. Stewardship is an ethical responsibility, the requirement and expectation that a nonprofit is accountable for careful, effective use of contributions for the purposes for which they were given. It is an end unto itself, regardless of whether the donor ever makes another gift to the organization.
Source: Stewardship & Donor Relations, Eugene Tempel & Timothy L. Seiler
Happy Thanksgiving!
