For many donors, she was the face of EuroNatur. Now, after more than three decades, she is retiring at the end of the year. In this interview, she shares some thoughts and emotions connected with this step and passes the baton to her successor Ines Fantinato. From now on, the 48-year-old will be the main contact in donor relations.
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In 1991, Sabine Günther joined EuroNatur as a career changer. Over the years, her sphere of action changed steadily. In 2008, she took over the entire donations department. Amongst others, she was the contact person for questions concerning donations in wills, personally kept in touch with the supporters of EuroNatur and organised donor meetings as well as the EuroNatur award ceremony. Behind the scenes, she was responsible for coordinating the dispatch of donor appeals and maintaining the donor database. In January 2025, Ines Fantinato will succeed Sabine Günther.
Sabine, how does it feel to say goodbye to EuroNatur after more than 30 years?
It’s mixed feelings. Melancholy is there, but I am also looking forward to what lies ahead. I will miss quite a bit, especially my colleagues. But the decision feels right. Almost 34 years at EuroNatur is long enough (laughs).
That’s really a lot! What has kept you at the foundation for such a long time of your life?
My field of work has changed and that was interesting, that is, I did not hold the same job for 34 years. With EuroNatur I found an employer where one tried to change something in the world for the better, that made me feel good.
What felt especially rewarding to you?
In donor relations it was the direct contact to people – in person or on the phone. These meetings have helped me in my own development, also or particularly when difficult questions came up that I didn’t know how to answer at first.
Are the donors more to you than a database number?
Yes, that was always very important to me. When I sent out birthday cards, for example, I wanted to make the recipient happy. I thought that for some, this might be their only birthday greeting. I made no distinction between how much someone donated, because I never knew what the amount meant to them individually. A donor wrote me just recently that she regrets a lot that I am leaving because for her, I am the face of EuroNatur. That does you good and makes you feel good.
What was particularly challenging?
The migration to a new donation administration software ten years ago. That was a difficult task I had to manage all on my own, which cost me several hours of sleep. It was satisfying to see it all work out.
So donor relations did not only mean being in contact with people, but there was also a lot of technics involved?
Yes, it was a nice mix and for me the two went hand in hand. For example, I analysed for how long donors had been active. The result was gratifying, because many were staunch supporters since the foundation’s establishment. However, a change is currently happening. Long-standing donors like these are likely to become scarcer.
Why do you think so? How would you describe the change in donor relations from the point of view of EuroNatur?
For example, in the past people reached out to us who had discovered EuroNatur via a newspaper article or a TV programme. I remember a TV documentary broadcast during my early years, about a former project on the Narew. It was customary at that time to insert the address of an organisation for further information. We had prepared ourselves with 200 information folders, but there were 1,000 inquiries! That is unthinkable today. We are noticing a major change due to social media and the internet. Nowadays, we often only have the email address of new donors and most do not want any information, they do their own research online. It’s difficult to build new and long-term relationships.
Sabine Günther has for so many years been a reliable, trustworthy and attentive contact person for our supporters. She has significantly contributed to so many people developing substantial ties to EuroNatur and our causes. We are very grateful to Sabine Günther for that and wish her the very best for the next chapter in her life. We are lucky in having found a successor in Ines Fantinato who will continue the donations department with heart and expertise.
Gabriel Schwaderer, EuroNatur Executive Director
[Translate to Englisch:] Ines Fantinato ist ab sofort für die Spenderbetreuung zuständig.
Ines, when you hear that Sabine Günther is seen as the face of EuroNatur, do you feel it is a difficult legacy to take over the donations department?
I am following in big footsteps, but I had the opportunity to grow well into my new role. Sabine Günther put much trust in me right from the start, that is encouraging me. I have already been working for a decade in EuroNatur’s donation management. The handover year was another confirmation that I’m feeling in the right place in donations. I am looking forward now to a more direct contact. I realise time and again what great donors we have, how open-minded they are and how convinced they are of EuroNatur. Nature and conservation are important to them, and it is important to many of them to get involved. I feel a great appreciation for this. I look forward to interacting with them and helping to ensure that our donors feel well looked after and informed by EuroNatur. But as Sabine said, it is particularly challenging in these times to establish new contacts.
What is your motivation for doing this job at EuroNatur, of all places?
To start at the foundation was a gut decision for me which still feels right today. EuroNatur is almost like a second family for me (laughs). I did not know this before I started here. I only knew then that I needed meaningful work. I like being involved with nature. This connection has also grown greatly since I joined EuroNatur. The links to the Balkans particularly appeal to me, because I have relatives there.
Are there projects close to your heart which you are especially cheering on?
Yes, the bear projects, and the protection of rivers, too. Even if it is tough to achieve something, especially in the latter.
Sabine Günther: Donors have been telling me they don’t believe any longer that great changes are possible, but they think it a mistake to do nothing. A few of them have even included us in their wills, because they absolutely want to help, even if only a small part of nature can be preserved in the end. When people put so much trust in EuroNatur, even though they see how difficult our work is, it’s a great motivation to carry on.
Ines Fantinato: It’s the same for me. When our supporters call on us to continue addressing painful topics, this gives me strength.
