Dr. Sarah Nathan stresses the importance of annual giving programs in fostering relationships, raising unrestricted gifts, and enabling operational flexibility for nonprofit organizations. She emphasizes that gifts of all amounts are significant and that fundraisers must embrace inclusivity while designing annual fund programs. Key planning tools such as gift range charts, donor retention calculators, and donor measurement tools can help fundraisers optimize their strategies. Dr. Nathan also highlights the need for building and maintaining strong relationships with donors, especially during times of crisis such as the pandemic when small gifts can have a substantial impact.