One Visit Away #223 The Hedge Fund Billionaire and the Pony Stable Farmer with Andrew Kerr
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Sep 29, 2025 Andrew Kerr, a seasoned nonprofit fundraising leader, shares captivating stories from his journey in the world of major gifts. He discusses the impact of persistent outreach, recounting how he secured a $200,000 donation from a hedge fund billionaire after two years of efforts. Kerr highlights the importance of personal connections, like visiting a donor's farm, which nurtured trust and revealed their giving potential. Additionally, he provides insight into training volunteers to transform modest pledges into significant bequests, all emphasizing the power of in-person relationships.
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Persistence Wins Big Gifts
- Andrew tracked a small recurring donor who turned out to be a hedge fund billionaire and persisted in outreach for two years.
- A five-minute meeting in New York led to a $200,000 gift after careful preparation and asking for a leadership gift.
Escalate Outreach Creatively
- When a small donor shows repeated interest, escalate outreach creatively: mail, FedEx, event mentions, and timely in-person asks.
- Offer a concise, relevant ask linked to the donor's known interests and capacity.
Visit Donors In Their World
- Andrew visited a rural donor at his farm, toured his pony stable and built rapport over genuine shared interests.
- Over repeated visits the farmer revealed liquid assets and later made significant gifts once he felt comfortable.