Katharine shares practical, real-world insight into donor visits and stewardship, highlighting why these conversations matter and how they help build deeper, more meaningful donor relationships over time. She’ll offer concrete tips on how to secure and prepare for a visit, what to expect during the conversation, and how to balance listening with asking thoughtful questions—along with candid stories from her own experience, including visits that didn’t go as planned.
Designed for fundraisers at all stages, this session provides those new to planned giving with adaptable strategies and language they can use right away, while giving experienced professionals fresh ideas and a helpful reminder that relationship building takes time—but it’s always worth it.
Presenter:
Katharine Berrington
Senior Manager, Legacy Giving
Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation
Katharine Berrington is a fundraising professional with a career spanning more than two decades in fundraising, including 18 years in healthcare philanthropy. She is currently Senior Manager, Legacy Giving with the Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation, following 17 years with the QEII Foundation.
Since beginning her philanthropy career in 2003, Katharine has led and supported fundraising in a variety of roles across university advancement, community initiatives, grateful patient programs, peer-to-peer fundraising, major gifts, and planned giving. Her work is rooted in honouring donor intent, stewarding lasting relationships, and connecting donors’ generosity to meaningful patient care impact in Nova Scotia. Katharine has been a CAGP member since 2014 and has served on the executive committee, gaining invaluable experience and insight. She is also a past president and current member of the Halifax Estate Planning Council, where she has built strong connections with estate planning lawyers, accountants, and financial advisors to support her work in planned giving.
Outside of work, Katharine enjoys family time and staying active; from bootcamps to beach walks, cycling the scenic backroads of Nova Scotia, and exploring new destinations near and far, drawing inspiration from the people she meets and the places she explores.
