Strong relationships between charity trustees and fundraisers are essential for effective governance, sustainable fundraising and building supporter trust. With over 20 years of experience in fundraising, business development and team leadership, Naomi Abrahams, CIOF Trustee and General Manager of Clients and Business Development at Zen, with over 20 years of fundraising experience, brings valuable insight from her career in face-to-face fundraising. As part of our Trustees’ Week 2026 campaign, Better Conversations, Stronger Fundraising, Naomi shares why charity boards should recognise fundraising as a strategic investment, how her experience working directly with supporters has shaped her approach to leadership and governance, and what fundraisers can do to build stronger relationships with their trustees.
"I wish more people understood that fundraising isn’t simply an operational function; it’s fundamental to an organisation’s ability to deliver its mission. As a lifelong fundraiser and now a trustee, I understand the importance of partnership, clear communication and, most importantly, trust.
"Trustees need to recognise and value fundraisers’ expertise and the insight they bring into supporter behaviour, public attitudes and the realities of engaging people with a cause. Fundraising should be recognised as a strategic investment, not simply a cost or a source of income.
"When trustees trust and champion their fundraising teams, and fundraisers feel confident bringing both opportunities and challenges to the board, organisations can make better-informed, ethical decisions and build the sustainable income they need to deliver their mission."
"My time as a face-to-face fundraiser taught me that behind every donation is a person, with their own motivations, values and reasons for choosing to support a cause. It gave me a deep understanding of supporters, the importance of building genuine connections, and the trust people place in charities when they choose to give.
"That experience continues to shape my approach to leadership and governance. It reminds me that we must never lose sight of the people who make our work possible.
"Fundraising isn’t just about targets, income or numbers on a dashboard; it’s about relationships, trust and the difference that support makes. As a leader and trustee, I believe we have a responsibility to protect that trust, put supporters at the heart of our decisions, and ensure that our fundraising is ethical, transparent and focused on delivering long-term impact."
"Meaningful support for fundraising at board level starts with creating a culture where fundraising is understood, valued and championed across the organisation, rather than being seen solely as the responsibility of the fundraising team.
"It means investing in the right people, skills, tools, and recognising that sustainable income takes time, expertise and trust. Trustees can play a practical role by opening doors, advocating for the organisation and ensuring fundraising has a voice in wider strategic decisions.
"Just as importantly, it means being willing to have honest conversations about risk, ethical fundraising and supporter experience, not simply focusing on income targets.
"Boards should empower fundraisers to bring their expertise into decision-making, challenge assumptions and explain what they need to succeed. Ultimately, meaningful support is about treating fundraising as a strategic partnership and investing in it as an essential part of delivering the organisation’s mission."
"Help trustees understand the human side of fundraising.
Bring trustees closer to the supporters behind the numbers. Share real stories about why people give, what motivates them and what their support makes possible. It helps turn fundraising from a spreadsheet into something tangible and reminds everyone what you’re working towards."
“Fundraising has taught me that you can’t understand the numbers fully unless you understand the people behind them. That’s as true in the boardroom as it is on the street.”
Naomi's reflections highlight the importance of recognising fundraising expertise, investing in sustainable fundraising and keeping supporters at the heart of strategic decisions.
Through our Trustees’ Week campaign, we're exploring how fundraisers and trustees can learn from each other's experiences, strengthen professional relationships and work together to support excellent fundraising.
Explore more perspectives from CIOF trustees, staff, and insights from our fundraising community.
