Chris Carnie

Chris Carnie

Chris Carnie is a researcher and consultant in philanthropy, actively involved in major donor fundraising through Fundació Terra, the Catalan climate emergency fund of which he is director. He loves to dance.

Seminar: You and major donors – using your strengths for good

You’ve read the manual, so you know how a major donor programme should work. But how does it work in practice? What happens in that first meeting? What can go wrong –and how can you avoid it? How do you start that conversation so it flows? What will the philanthropist ask you, and how can you give a good answer? And then, what’s next? How can you follow up and turn that first conversation into a gift? In this hands-on session, you will be led through the real-life practice of major donor fundraising, using case studies of real philanthropists with whom our speakers have worked. The focus of the session will be on you, your personality, your story, your concerns, and your energy, and how you can use those personal strengths and resources to build relationships with philanthropists.

Master Class: Inside the Head of Madame LaRiche

The psychology of giving in Europe is different from that of the USA…and within Europe there are differences too. This session will take a deep dive into the motivations and meanings of European philanthropists, across a range of cultures. Why do major donors give? What is going on in their heads (and hearts)? How can you, as a fundraiser, fit into the mindset of a philanthropist? And what does Madame LaRiche expect from you? In this interactive, lively session we will help you understand major donors across Europe from their point of view, and from yours, using real-life case studies and examples. We will look at the nice side of philanthropy, and the difficult parts of working with philanthropists. The session is led by two experienced fundraisers, Chris Carnie and Elsbeth Takkenberg, who work directly with philanthropists and foundations across Europe.