Author: Eileen McCabe

When Good Intentions Cost Gifts

August 27, 2026 No Comments

Eileen McCabe, Planned Giving Officer at Deborah Heart Foundation, writes that a centralized system to capture and share donor interactions across teams, paired with clear expectations for reporting interactions, allows development professionals to guide conversations, maintain consistency, and protect the integrity of the fundraising process.

Eileen McCabe

Eileen McCabe is a fundraising professional who has developed a broad skill set while working within one organization, with a focus on donor stewardship, communications, and engagement. She is particularly interested in practical strategies that improve donor retention and long-term support. Currently pursuing CFRE certification, Eileen is dedicated to ethical and effective fundraising practices. When not working, she enjoys playing the piano and suspects that writing a good donor email isn’t all that different from practicing a difficult piece—both take patience, repetition, and a willingness to get it slightly wrong before getting it right.