Every Valentine’s Day, nonprofit inboxes fill up with warm subject lines and messages that say, “We love our donors.” The intention is real, but the impact often falls flat.

In this episode, we unpack why broad gratitude is easy to send and easy to forget, and why donors don’t experience our effort or our process, they experience how they’re treated. The real question isn’t whether a message was handwritten or AI-assisted. It’s whether it reflects why the donor gave and makes them feel genuinely seen.

We separate care from craft, challenge the belief that authenticity requires doing everything by hand, and explore how AI can support donor gratitude without diluting trust or values. Used well, it doesn’t replace intention, it helps translate it into clear, timely, human communication.

You’ll also hear a practical, repeatable stewardship rhythm, from a fast, specific thank-you to meaningful follow-up that connects impact back to donor values. Plus, a preview of an upcoming AFP Icon session with Carissa Kineski on turning inspiration into action and building systems you’ll actually use.

The throughline is simple. Donors feel loved when they feel seen. Attention is what makes that reliable.

If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a colleague, and leave a quick review. What’s one small detail you could add to your next thank-you to make it unmistakably personal?

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