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Design Research for Donors is a two-part, hands-on workshop introducing the principles and practices of design research for more relational philanthropy.
Through guided exercises, reflection, and practice, participants explore how active listening, story-based inquiry, and synthesis can strengthen donor relationships and inspire new ways of relating.
Nuts and Bolts
- Format: 3.5 hours per day, over 2 days
- Location: Online or in-person (Vancouver, BC)
- Group Size: 6–30 participants
- Cost: Sliding scale, tailored to your organization or team
- Scheduling: Flexible — we’ll work with you to find the right dates
Workshop overview
In this workshop, we’ll explore what it means to bring a researcher’s mindset into the work of giving — one rooted in curiosity, empathy, and openness to learning. Together, we’ll experiment with ways to ask better questions, engage in active listening, and surface the stories that often go unheard in donor relationships.
Through guided activities, small-group discussion, and practical exercises, you’ll gain experience using a suite of research tools designed specifically for donors. You’ll learn how to translate what you hear — the hopes, tensions, and motivations that shape giving — into insights that can guide strategy, communication, and partnership.
More than a skills training, this workshop offers space to pause and reflect:
- What does it mean to really listen to the people and systems we’re part of?
- How do we hold complexity and difference in our work with donors and communities?
- How might design research help us cultivate more trust, reciprocity, and imagination in philanthropy?
By the end of the workshop, participants will leave with practical tools and shared language for engaging donors in ways that are more human-centered, relational, and transformative.
What you'll do
Explore Active Listening
Reflect on what it means to truly listen in research. Practice techniques that cultivate empathy, curiosity, and awareness in donor conversations.
Get an Overview of Design Research Methods
Learn the fundamentals — from framing questions and conducting interviews to mapping insights and identifying patterns.
Go From Stories to Insights
Unpack ethnographic stories and learn how to transform them into insights, segments, and opportunities for strategy and engagement.
Share and Practice Design Tools for Donors
Experiment with adaptable tools designed specifically for donor-facing work, inspired by human-centered design and participatory research.
Apply the Tools in Your Context
Use these methods to explore real questions, relationships, and opportunities in your own donor ecosystem.
What you'll leave with
Who's it for?
Whether you’re new to design thinking or experienced in participatory methods, this session helps you integrate empathy, research, and design into how you connect and collaborate with donors. Folks in these domains might find the workshop most compelling:
- Donor engagement teams
- Funders
- Charities
- Philanthropic or non-for-profit organizations
- Social sector professionals
Got questions or want to book?
We can work around your team’s busy schedule. Connect with us to learn more or bring this workshop to your organization.