TRANSFORMATIONAL GIVING
MEDIA & INTERVIEWS
A Lifetime of Experience. A Different Approach to Giving.
John C. Shimer, CFRE. Fundraising strategist, author, and advocate for a human motivation driven approach to major gift donor relationships.
John C. Shimer brings more than five decades of fundraising experience to conversations about nonprofit leadership and transformational giving. Beginning his career with United Way in 1968, he went on to establish the $100 million campaign for Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and receive the prestigious Harold J. (Si) Seymour Award. His experience gives him a distinctive perspective on why traditional fundraising approaches often fall short, and how understanding human motivation can lead to more meaningful major-gift donor relationships.
CONVERSATIONS WORTH HAVING
Suggested Interview Topics
1. The Answer Is Not a Better Ask
Why conventional fundraising often focuses too heavily on solicitation, and how changing the conversation can open the door to transformational gifts.
2. Ask for Wisdom Before Money
How inviting prospective donors to share their knowledge, experience, and ideas can build deeper relationships and a personal investment in the mission.
3. More Money, Fewer Donors
Why a concentrated campaign built around a small number of transformational gifts may accomplish what years of conventional fundraising cannot.
4. Why CEOs Must Lead
Why transformational fundraising requires leadership from the CEO and board, rather than relying exclusively on development professionals.
5. Beyond Transactional Fundraising
Understanding the human motivations behind major gifts, and why meaningful philanthropic partnerships must be built around more than financial contributions.
6. Can 20 Gifts Change an Organization?
How the 20 Gift Campaign framework can help nonprofit leaders pursue ambitious organizational goals through a focused strategy of donor engagement and major gifts.
FOR PRODUCERS & EDITORS
Media Downloads
APPROVED VISUAL ASSETS
Photography & Book Artwork
BOOK ARTWORK
Media Booking Inquiries
Christian Shimer, Media Representative