What With Love, Meghan Can Teach You About Donor Relations

​What With Love, Meghan Can Teach You About Donor Relations

If you're new to nonprofit fundraising, navigating interactions with high-net-worth individuals can feel intimidating. You might wonder if you have the right background, experience, or social skills to connect with major donors. But here’s the truth: building relationships in philanthropy isn’t about wealth or privilege – it’s about cultural capital, etiquette, and most importantly, emotional intelligence.

​Meghan Sussex’s new Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, offers a fresh take on hospitality, cultural awareness, and the art of connection – skills that can elevate your fundraising career and help your nonprofit thrive. Let’s explore how these soft skills can help you build confidence, engage donors authentically, and create lasting relationships.

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1. Hospitality and Thoughtful Details Matter

In With Love, Meghan, she emphasizes the importance of creating welcoming experiences, from personalized touches to beautifully curated environments. In Episode 1 “Hello Honey”, Meghan shares, “The joy of hostessing for me is surprising people with moments that let them know I was really thinking of their whole experience.” She even takes care to tie the knots on gifts with a bow so they are easy to open. Fundraisers can apply this same mindset by:

• Personalizing interactions – A handwritten note, remembering a donor’s favorite coffee order, or following up on a personal detail they mentioned builds trust and connection.
• Making events feel special – Thoughtful planning, from seating arrangements to cultural considerations and dietary requirements, ensures donors feel valued and included.
• Being present and engaged – As Meghan says in Episode 6 “Juice is Worth the Squeeze”, “Take time to be present, to sink into the good stuff.” A warm smile, a firm handshake, and active listening go a long way in making people feel seen and appreciated.

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2. Cultural Competence Builds Stronger Connections

One of the standout elements of Meghan’s approach is her ability to navigate different cultures with grace. In Episode 3 “Two Kids from LA,” she connects with chef Roy Choi over their shared Los Angeles roots and love of food. Later, in Episode 4 “Love is in the Details,” she and her Argentinian friend Delfina Figueras bond over Meghan’s experience studying in Argentina and speaking an Argentinian dialect of Spanish. As a fundraiser, your ability to understand and respect the cultural backgrounds of your donors can set you apart.

• Educate yourself – Learn about your donors’ traditions, values, and interests so you can connect on a deeper level. Be curious and ask questions to learn more.
• Adapt to different settings – Whether attending a gala, a business lunch, or a casual coffee meeting, knowing the unspoken rules of engagement helps you feel more comfortable and confident. In some episodes, we see Meghan barefoot in the kitchen or in a casual Northwestern University sweatshirt, but in others we see her dressed more like the Duchess of Sussex. That kind of adaptability will serve you well in fundraising.
• Show genuine respect – Small, but important gestures, like pronouncing someone’s name correctly, using their preferred pronouns, or acknowledging significant holidays, demonstrate respect, care, and consideration.

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3. Storytelling is Your Superpower

Throughout With Love, Meghan, she uses personal anecdotes to create intimacy and connection. In Episode 7, “Elevate the Everyday”, Meghan talks about the importance of celebrating the meaning behind everyday things, and we watch a moment when she learns about potstickers from her friend Vicky Tsai, who explains they are folded to resemble ancient Chinese money. Meghan’s enthusiasm is unmistakable as she responds, “I love hearing the meaningful stories behind things!” Fundraising is no different – stories drive impact.

• Make it personal – Share stories that showcase the real impact of your nonprofit’s work, and tailor them to what matters most to your donor.
• Listen first, then share – Major donors appreciate fundraisers who ask thoughtful questions and listen more than they talk. Meghan shows consistent and genuine curiosity in all the episodes, learning from her guests because of her enthusiasm to know more.
• Find common ground – A shared experience, passion, or value can turn a transactional conversation into a meaningful relationship.

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4. Presentation and Etiquette Set the Tone

Meghan’s show highlights the power of presentation – not just in her fashion but in communication, demeanor, and environment. Her friends mention in “Juice is Worth the Squeeze” how careful she is to accommodate everyone’s dietary needs and preferences, no matter how busy she is. In Episode 5 “Surprise and Delight”, she shares, “You take something really pretty ordinary and make it extraordinary. It’s really easy to do, but the tiniest attention to detail makes it feel special.

First impressions matter in fundraising, and attention to etiquette can help you feel more at ease in professional settings.

• Dress appropriately for the occasion – You don’t need designer labels, but polished and professional attire shows respect.
• Master introductions – Knowing how to confidently introduce yourself, shake hands, and engage in small talk makes social situations smoother. It’s also important to know how to introduce two other parties to each other with thoughtful details.
• Be gracious and adaptable – In Episode 8 “Feels Like Home”, Meghan takes great care in wrapping a gift for Alice Waters, incorporating natural elements into the presentation. This level of thoughtfulness can be applied to donor stewardship as well.
• Consideration in event planning – Meghan also demonstrates consideration by ensuring menus are printed and table tents are placed in front of each dish, ensuring guests feel comfortable and informed.

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Bonus Tip: Treat Everyone with Respect and Care

​I was taught early in my career to treat everyone with the same level of engagement and care, from the janitor to the CEO. Watch how Meghan treats her crew - feeding them, including them, and making sure they feel valued. That level of care and consideration can set you apart in fundraising and beyond.

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Why This Matters for Your Career

​Developing cultural capital and etiquette isn’t just about impressing donors – it’s about equipping yourself with the skills to excel in your career. Fundraisers who can build authentic relationships, adapt to different social settings, and communicate with confidence are in high demand. These skills open doors to new opportunities, leadership roles, and professional growth.

You don’t have to be born into wealth or attend elite schools to succeed in major gift fundraising. I certainly didn’t. You might not end up marrying a prince, but by cultivating cultural awareness, practicing thoughtful hospitality, and honing your storytelling and etiquette skills, you’ll become a stronger fundraiser – and help your nonprofit build the relationships it needs to thrive.

Like Meghan, you don’t need to be a full-time royal to lead with grace. By embracing hospitality, cultural awareness, and attention to detail, you can make every donor feel valued – and that’s what truly elevates fundraising to an art form.

Have you watched With Love, Meghan? What did you notice? Any takeaways that I might have missed? Let me know in the comments.

​Cheers,

​PS - I hope you’ll continue the conversation by subscribing to Real Deal Fundraising. When you subscribe, you’ll get my e-newsletter, which includes the best articles on fundraising, productivity, and cool stuff every week. The whole thing is curated awesomeness as well as freebies like webinars, instructional videos, and whatever else I can put together to be helpful to you!

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