Revisiting The Hub's Most Popular Articles from 2021

Anna Morrison (Editor, The Hub)
Endowment Reporting Coordinator
University of California, Berkeley
xučyun (Huichin) Ohlone Land

Photo Credit: Adobe Stock

If 2020 was the year of pivoting, then 2021 was the year of hybridity — of weighing print and electronic communications, of cautiously resuming events in-person with a Zoom backup plan, of asking what wisdom gained from a time of sheltering in place could serve as a stronger foundation for future endeavors. What were your most significant highlights and insights? As we dive into another year of projects, let’s pause to reflect on the past year in donor relations by revisiting The Hub’s most-read articles from 2021.

1. Legacy Donor Stewardship: Three Do’s and a Don’t by Suzanne Bellanger (May 2021)

Donors who leave an estate gift to your organization require conscious, ongoing stewardship. Suzanne Bellanger reports on research concerning legacy donors and shares best practices for recognizing and engaging them in person and virtually — and one practice to avoid — to ensure a strong planned giving pipeline. 

2. Promoting Digital Stewardship: Perks and Lessons Learned by Mallory Perdue (February 2021)

Writing on what has been a hot topic for many in donor relations, Mallory Perdue shares insights on launching a digital stewardship program while continuing to give donors the option of receiving print reports. She shares why it’s crucial to collaborate with partners in communications on flexible designs, leverage the data analysis that accompanies digital reports, and provide many opportunities for donors to indicate their preferences.  

3. Strengthening Your Relationship with First-time Donors and Loyalty Donors by Debbie Meyers (March 2021)

This in-depth and enlightening article by Debbie Meyers lays out a roadmap for developing a program for first-time and loyalty donors, welcoming and recognizing them in ways that resonate with their giving motivation and your institute’s mission. She also breaks down the science — or, perhaps, more accurately, the math — of consecutive giving and even shows her work (in this case, a spreadsheet!) to back up her solutions and knowledge. 

4. What Do I Mean When I Say "Acknowledgment"? by Anna Morrison (November 2021)

Following a thread of curiosity about the word “acknowledgment” from its Old English origins to its many contemporary contexts — from land acknowledgments to in-group social signals to stewardship letters — this essay considers what it means to acknowledge others in our communities and how the many facets of that word might inform our work in donor relations.  

5. Let's Not Return to "Normal" by Krystina Lucido Wales (June 2021)

In a timely article, Krystina Lucido Wales cautions us to scrutinize our nostalgia for some aspects of pre-pandemic life and our eagerness for a return to “normal.” She emphasizes that wisdom learned throughout the pandemic should not be shrugged off, particularly as many gained clarity about systemic inequalities and other ongoing struggles for people in marginalized groups.   

Did you miss any of these articles the first time around? Or are there others not listed here that informed your work? We welcome your thoughts on My ADRP or Twitter (@ADRPtweets). And feel free to send us feedback on The Hub at any time at [email protected].

In 2022, we would love to hear your voice and benefit from your experience, so please consider submitting an article to The Hub!

Back to the January 2022 Hub