This presentation shares my journey leading high-performing fundraising teams through a period of significant change and growth, and what it takes to secure transformational gifts. I’ll unpack the key drivers behind the largest arts gift in WA history and the story behind a landmark individual donation to mental health, highlighting the human relationships and strategic moments that made them possible. Through two powerful legacy gift stories, I’ll demonstrate the long-term impact of philanthropy and why donors give, driven as much by emotion as outcomes. A central theme is that it takes a village to secure major gifts,collaboration, trust and shared belief in a compelling vision. For us, ECU City was that vision. My presenting style is personal, engaging and practical , using storytelling and visual tools to connect with both emerging and experienced fundraisers, bringing impact to life in a meaningful and memorable way.