Nonprofit News: What is Stewardship
(And Why It’s Not Just a Thank You Note)
By Lindsay Laird, Vice President of Philanthropic Services
Let’s talk about stewardship. It’s one of those words we hear all the time in fundraising, but what does it really mean? For me, it’s simple: stewardship is how we care for the people who care about our mission. It’s the relationship part of fundraising, and honestly, it’s where I feel most at home.
Think of it this way: fundraising is like dating. Stewardship? That’s the marriage. It’s how we show up, stay connected, and remind people that their giving matters. It’s the art of turning a one-time gift into a long-term partnership—and that’s where the real magic happens.
VP of Philanthropic Services Lindsay Laird discusses strategic giving with the Mason family.
You don’t have to overthink it. Stewardship is really just being a good partner – checking in, staying curious and letting people know their giving is making a difference.
At OCCF, we have a donor services team whose job is to provide best-in-class stewardship to our fund holders. While we’re not your typical nonprofit, we approach stewardship the same way: relationally.
Take Sidney Suttles, for example. Sidney is one of our amazing donor services managers. She recently reached out to a donor simply to introduce herself as the new steward of the donor’s fund, say thank you and ask how we could support her giving. The donor not only responded, she engaged. She asked for input on where her grants could make the biggest impact. Sidney offered thoughtful guidance, and the donor ended up adding more money to her fund to do even more good. That’s the power of a simple, authentic connection.
You don’t have to overthink it. Stewardship is really just being a good partner—checking in, staying curious and letting people know their giving is making a difference. The rest? That’s just good vibes and follow-through.
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