During a cabinet meeting, an old friend of the organization’s name came up as a prospect. I hadn’t heard of him before, but it was great to hear cabinet members’ stories about how much he and his wife loved the organization.

Our enthusiasm continued, “There’s a whole generation out there who helped build this nonprofit. We should check in on them!” A little digging and before we knew it, a meeting was scheduled with the couple at a nearby retirement community.

The husband’s health had declined. He never said it in so many words, but his acute surprise in seeing us arrive hinted at something heartfelt: “I assumed everyone had forgotten.”

The conversations were amazing. At one point, he mentioned a local restaurant he’d loved. On the next visit, I brought him a vanilla milkshake from there, and it became our routine. Swallowing was becoming difficult for him, but he loved the taste, and it always brought a smile.

Our visits became a ritual: a cold milkshake, slow conversation, great stories. Mostly, I Iistened.

He spoke about the early days, the challenges, the original endowment funds he helped initiate and how proud he was of what the organization had become. Even though it was difficult for him to speak, his eyes were bright with memories.

Through those conversations – quiet, careful, halting – something resurfaced in him: a sense of connection, purpose and belonging.

One afternoon, after reliving another story from the past, he told me he wanted to leave a legacy with a $1-million lead gift to launch our upcoming endowment campaign. It was his way of officially passing the baton to the next generation, and I was a conduit to help him do it.

The gift didn’t come from a fundraising pitch. It came from being present. From not forgetting. From honoring someone whose work had built the foundation.

This is the power of philanthropy. It isn’t primarily about money. It’s about relationships and gratitude. It’s about remembering the people who came before and giving them a chance to reconnect, reflect and continue shaping the future.

We’re often concerned about cultivating new supporters, but he taught me something profound: Never forget the people who helped get you where you are today.