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DRG founder Lynne Wester speaking to a packed rooom of donor relations professionals.

Speaking

At the Donor Relations Group, we believe that donor relations is the key to unlocking fundraising success. Successful nonprofits aren’t just obsessed with the ask—they’re laser-focused on the donor experience (DX). That's where we come in. 
 

If you’re looking for thought-provoking fundraising lessons that put the donor first, you’re in the right place. Looking for speakers who blend real-world expertise with best practices and a healthy dose of humor? That’s us!

Whether it’s a keynote that casts a vision to inspire your audience or a tactical deep dive that gives you actionable next steps, we promise to make it as educational as it is entertaining.

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Our expertise isn’t just trusted—it’s sought after. You’ll find us in The Washington Post, Chronicle of Philanthropy, and CASE Currents, sharing our insights on the industry’s biggest challenges. We’ve taken the stage at CASE, AFP, AHP, ADRP, Academic Impressions, and more—in the United States and all over the world. 

 

And if you love a good nonprofit podcast, chances are, we’ve been there—What the Fundraising, Nonprofit 411, First Day Podcast (Lilly Family School of Philanthropy), and Nonprofit Nation, to name a few. 

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From big stages to intimate gatherings, we bring the energy, clarity, and practical strategies that move people to think differently and take action. We’re here to ignite inspiration and leave your audience motivated, empowered, and eager for more.

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Let’s inspire generosity and make something unforgettable—together.

Meet Our Speakers

Keynote Speaker, Lynne Wester

For over two decades, Lynne Wester has been a dynamic force in the fundraising world, redefining how organizations think about and engage with their donors. A bold believer that donor relations is the secret sauce to fundraising success, Lynne champions the idea that the donor experience should be just as intentional and strategic as the ask itself.

 

Renowned for her ability to challenge the status quo in all the right ways, Lynne steps in when organizations are facing pivotal moments — whether navigating a crisis or seizing an opportunity. Her approach? Smart strategy, authentic connection, and fearless innovation. As the founder and principal of DRG, Lynne leads a powerhouse team of experts who work with nonprofits of all sizes to transform their fundraising outcomes. 


A sought-after thought leader, Lynne’s insights have been featured in The Washington Post, Chronicle of Philanthropy, and CASE Currents. She’s the author of four books (and a contributor to two more), and co-hosts the podcast Fundraising is Funny, alongside T. Clay Buck, CFRE. 
 

Lynne earned her B.A. from the University of South Carolina, a Master’s in Strategic Fundraising and Philanthropy from Bay Path University, and proudly holds a DUCKtorate from the Disney Institute. She remains deeply engaged in the nonprofit world as a volunteer, board member, and passionate advocate for the transformative power of generosity.

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The DRG Group founder & keynote speaker, Lynne Wester smiling. She & her team share the key to fundraising success.

Our Talented Team

Donor Relations Group consultant and strategist Matthew Helmer in blue polo shirt smiling at camera.

Matthew Helmer

Consultant & Strategist

Meet Matthew
Headshot of DRG associate Liz Menne smiling.

Liz Menne

Associate

Meet Liz
Donor Relations Group consultant and strategist Angela Joens in green dress smiling.

Angela Joens

Consultant & Strategist

Meet Angela
Jenny Headshot 3.jpg

Jenny Jones

Project Specialist

Meet Jenny
DRG's Director of Operations Colton Withers smiling at camera.

Colton Withers

Director of Operations

Meet Colton

Topics We Cover

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Best Practices in Donor Relations
 
  • The 4 Pillars of Donor Relations
  • The 4 Pillars of the Donor Experience
  • Acknowledgment Best Practices
  • Building a Donor Experience Strategy
  • Building or Rebuilding Your Donor Relations Program
  • Donor Engagement: A Holistic Approach
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Donor Communications
 
  • Reinforcing Your Brand Identity
  • Writing for Donor Relations
  • Writing Digital and Social Media Content that Resonates
  • The Four Pillars of Donor Communications
     
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Top Donor Engagement
 

  • Implementing a High-End Donor Relations Program

  • Individual Stewardship Plans

  • The Donor Experience (DX)

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Campaigns 
 

  • Planning - What is Needed, Before, During and After a Campaign

  • Campaign Planning for the Donor Experience 

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Data and Metrics
 

  • Data Storytelling

  • Data Driven Decision Making

  • Donor Surveys

  • Evaluating Your Donor Relations Through Metrics That Promote Fundraising

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Fund Management
 
  • Building or Rebuilding Comprehensive Reporting Programs
  • Reporting 101
  • Revitalizing Your Endowment Reports
  • Understanding and Undertaking Financial Fund Stewardship
  • Compliance and Fund Utilization
  • Tiered Reporting
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Donor Events
 

  • Evaluating and Reinventing Donor Events

  • Purpose-Driven Events

  • Creating Memorable Events

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Behavior-Based Donor Relations
 

  • First-Time Donor Retention

  • Creating Donor Journeys

  • Implementing Behavior-Based Donor Relations Programs

  • Parent Fundraising

  • Student Philanthropy Education and Gratitude Programs

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Nonprofit Leadership
 

  • Centralizing Teams, Programs, and Processes

  • Change Management

  • Creating a Culture of Gratitude in Your Organization

  • Developing and Growing Your Donor Relations Team

  • Hiring and Coaching Staff

  • How to Reenergize Yourself and Your Fundraising

  • Leadership Development

  • Leadership Transition

  • Strategic Planning

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DEI in Donor Relations
 

  • Attracting Diverse Talent to Your Team

  • Inclusive Practices in Donor Relations

  • Making Your Communications More Inclusive

  • Over-Restricting is NOT Donor Centered

  • Readjusting the Scholarship Recipient Experience​

  • Recognizing Donors Through a DEI Lens

  • Understanding Your LGBTQIA+ Donors

Stages We've Inspired

  • AHEPPP Family Engagement in Higher Education
     

  • Academic Event Professionals (AEP)
     

  • Academic Impressions
     

  • Association of Advancement Services Professionals (AASP)
     

  • Association of Donor Relations Professionals (ADRP)
     

  • Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP)
     

  • Association of Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP)
     

  • Best Buddies Leadership Conference
     

  • Big 10 Development Conference
     

  • Bloomerang
     

  • California Advancement Services Association (CARA)
     

  • Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education (CCAE)
     

  • Cause Camp
     

  • Chronicle of Philanthropy 
     

  • Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE)

  • Educate Plus
     

  • Ellucian Live
     

  • Evertrue
     

  • Festival de Fundraising
     

  • National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA)
     

  • Nest Fest
     

  • Nonprofit Marketing Summit
     

  • Nonprofit Summit
     

  • One Cause
     

  • PacNet
     

  • Planet Philanthropy
     

  • Women in Development
     

  • YMCA Philanthropy Summit (NAYDO)
     

  • Many more! 

As featured in:

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Want DRG to inspire your audience?

Attendees leave our presentations with tangible takeaways, renewed energy, and the ability to affect change in their organizations. Our most common evaluation feedback is attendees begging for more. We present on many topics related to the donor experience, team building, and executive leadership.

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Pricing for speaking engagements is based on the speaker, size of the audience, customization, time commitment, and location. â€‹Speaking engagement pricing begins at $500 for virtual speaking and $1,000 in person (plus travel). 

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