The Triangle Nonprofit & Volunteer Leadership Center
part of the Strengthening Nonprofits Training Series
The New Rules of Relationship Management
Designing Connections That Last with Donors & Volunteers
Donors and volunteers don’t disappear because they stop caring. They disappear because they stop feeling connected and appreciated.
The New Rules of Relationship Management is a lively, practical session for nonprofits ready to move beyond transactional work and build real supporter loyalty in donors and volunteers. Suzanne Smith, MBA brings a fresh lens to engagement using the surprisingly powerful framework of the Five Love Languages, helping organizations strengthen communication, stewardship, and volunteer relationships in ways that actually stick.
Expect memorable examples, quick wins you can use immediately, and a reminder that in today’s crowded attention economy, connection is everything.
You’ll leave with tools to help your supporters feel valued, seen, and eager to stay involved, not just thanked and forgotten.
By the end of this action-packed session, participants will be able to:
- Shift from a transactional approach to lasting relationships that keep donors and volunteers coming back.
- Use the Five Love Languages as a practical engagement toolkit to strengthen communication, appreciation, and retention.
- Walk away with simple, repeatable “connection habits” that make supporters and staff feel genuinely valued all year long.
This is a FREE Training
Date: May 20, 2026
Time: 2pm-3pm
Access: Log-in instructions will be provided upon Zoom registration.
Presenter
Suzanne Smith
Suzanne Smith, MBA, is a coach and consultant for social organizations, helping them enhance their impact and achieve measurable results. With nearly three decades of experience in the social sector, she has developed award-winning programs and initiatives recognized for their innovation. Suzanne earned her MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business as a CASE scholar and currently teaches as an adjunct professor at The University of Texas at Arlington and SMU.
She authors Social TrendSpotter, a highly regarded blog blending social sector insights with storytelling, and has contributed to publications like Forbes and The Chronicle of Philanthropy. Suzanne’s work has earned her accolades such as the Next Generation Social Entrepreneur Award from the Social Enterprise Alliance. A committed community leader, she has served on numerous boards and commissions in Dallas and supported various nonprofits across North Texas.