March 2019 Member Spotlight: Connie Short

Name: Connie Short
Institution: United Way of Metropolitan Dallas
Position: Director of Donor Relations
ADRP member for five years

How long have you worked in donor relations/stewardship and how did you get involved in this profession?
I have been involved in donor relations for almost five years. I was offered the opportunity to move into donor relations from the major gifts team, which I was excited to do. Part of what I love about my job is that I get to be a part of recognizing and acknowledging donors, who make an impact on our community. I have come to understand how integral this piece is to developing a positive relationship with donors and progressing their giving to the next level to make an even greater impact in our community.

Could you tell us something about the organization you work for?
United Way of Metropolitan Dallas is an organization that brings together resources and people to focus on making life better for our North Texas community. We partner with local non-profits, companies, volunteers, and community members to create lasting change in the areas of education, income, and health. I’m very proud to be a part of an organization that achieves long-term results that help our community thrive.

What do you like most about being a member of ADRP?
Everything! The resources that are available through ADRP are amazing. I find the webinars, conferences, and ADRP listserv relevant and informative, not only to help me in my daily job functions, but also in my personal career growth.

What is your greatest donor relations/stewardship achievement?
I am privileged to be able to provide donors with a positive experience, demonstrating our appreciation for their commitment to the organization. One of my greatest accomplishments has been to manage the process of outlining our current organizational priorities in our quarterly newsletter and donor recognition collateral in a way that highlights our mission and inspires people to get involved. I lead a large cross-functional team and ensure the materials are taken from concept to completion. These key communications convey our current mission, objectives, and latest results. It’s an honor to play a role in recognizing our donors and educating the community about United Way’s impact.

What is the most important professional goal you are currently pursuing, i.e., attaining a degree, preparing to give a presentation, launching an initiative at work or in your community, etc.?
We recently converted to a new database, Salesforce, to analyze and track event attendance, communication, and solicitations to determine the best way to reach and motivate our donors to become involved with our organization. And with any new system there is a lot to learn! But I recognize the higher level of service it will allow us to provide, so I am spending the time and taking classes to learn about all the features available to provide the best experience for our constituents.

How big a role does the use of social media play in your work?
In my organization, social media is a very important tool we utilize to communicate with donors regarding our messaging, volunteer opportunities, and giving society events. It is another tool in our toolbox to inform, engage, and acknowledge our donors in a meaningful way.

Is there a resource, i.e., book, blog, website, etc., that you would recommend to other ADRP members?
The ADRP listserv is my greatest resource. I save the responses in a folder, so I can refer to them any time I have a question!

What is the best piece of professional advice you have ever received?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions and remember that mistakes are an opportunity to learn and grow.

Are there any particular stories, insights, etc., from your experiences in donor relations and stewardship that you would like to share with our colleagues?
Our donors are the reason we are able to make such a difference in our community. It is imperative that we let them know how crucial they are to our organization and to North Texas ‒ they are the reason we are able to effect change!