By Meghan Foley, Director of Performance Psychology at BrightDot Fundraising Advisors.
We’ve all heard the saying, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.”
While it may sound cliché, there’s real truth behind it. The people around you, your circle of influence, shape your mindset, habits, and ultimately your success. In fundraising, this truth is undeniable. The relationships you cultivate determine not only what you raise today, but what your organization can sustain tomorrow.
Most people assume their circle includes only family and friends. In reality, it also includes coworkers and supervisors, professional mentors, board members, donors, community partners, and even acquaintances you interact with regularly.
Research suggests the average person has roughly 250 people in their circle of influence. For nonprofits and institutions, the strength, alignment, and intentionality of those connections directly affect donor engagement, campaign momentum, and long-term growth.
What Your Circle Says About Your Organization
Your circle reveals far more than who attends your events or signs a pledge card. It reflects your organization’s true capacity and potential.
The giving capacity you experience today, and the growth you can achieve tomorrow, are shaped by the networks you actively engage and nurture. The stamina required to endure long campaigns is influenced by the attitudes and commitment of your board, staff, and closest supporters. Innovation and strategy often emerge when you surround your organization with forward-thinking, generous partners who challenge assumptions and encourage growth. Trust and loyalty, perhaps the most valuable assets of all, mirror the quality of your relationships and the consistency of your stewardship practices.
If this feels uncomfortable, you’re not alone. Many organizations inherit their circles rather than intentionally shaping them. The good news? Your circle is not fixed. You can strengthen it by design.
How to Evaluate and Strengthen Your Circle
The first step in strengthening your circle is awareness. Start by mapping the people and relationships that most influence your fundraising outcomes.
Look for the energizers. These are donors, board members, and partners who model generosity, curiosity, and strategic thinking. Their presence often lifts others and creates forward motion. Next, assess the depth of engagement within your key relationships. Consider whether interactions are largely transactional or whether they are cultivated through meaningful communication, shared vision, and thoughtful stewardship.
It is also important to recognize the anchors. Misaligned expectations, unclear roles, or outdated structures can quietly slow progress and drain energy. Identifying these friction points allows you to address them intentionally rather than allowing them to persist unnoticed.
Finally, rebalance with purpose. Invest time, attention, and resources in relationships that move your mission forward and reflect where you are headed, not just where you have been.
At BrightDot, this evaluation often serves as the foundation for a stronger donor strategy, clearer board engagement, and a healthier fundraising infrastructure.
Building Relationships That Last
A thriving circle is built through intentional systems, not chance. For nonprofits and higher education institutions, this begins with strategic planning that aligns relationships, goals, and organizational capacity. Major gift fundraising should be grounded in trust and partnership rather than pressure or urgency alone. Messaging and donor communications must resonate emotionally, clearly reinforce impact, and reflect authenticity. Thoughtful stewardship turns first-time gifts into long-term commitments by helping donors feel seen, valued, and connected to the mission.
Sustainable growth also requires training and capacity building so teams are equipped to lead confidently through change. Strong fundraising infrastructure and legacy giving strategies support long-term success beyond any single campaign. Engaged boards play a critical role as well, not only through financial contributions but through their relational leadership and influence.
These aren’t standalone tactics; they are interconnected parts of a healthy circle.
The BrightDot Connection
At BrightDot Fundraising Advisors, we help nonprofits and higher education institutions intentionally design and activate their circles of influence.
Through Nonprofit Advancement, we build donor strategies and systems that grow with organizations – strengthening stewardship, communications, board alignment, and legacy giving.
Through Academic Advancement, our team of former college presidents and seasoned advancement leaders partners with colleges and universities to sharpen campaign strategy, elevate teams, and unlock transformational giving.
Strong circles don’t happen by accident. They are built through clarity, strategy, and relationships that matter. When you invest in the right relationships, you don’t just raise more – you build a future that lasts.
Bright Idea: Identify five people in your circle – donors, board members, or partners – you value but haven’t connected with recently. A thoughtful note, call, or coffee can reignite momentum.
