Meetings in offices are challenging given how much everyone multi-tasks today. The goal is to get your donor away from behind the desk as that is most likely to lead to distraction. It’s also problematic as the desk serves as a barrier between the two of you and creates a greater sense of hierarchy. Unfortunately, there’s usually not much you can do once you enter an office and see the situation. If you know the donor well enough you can suggest you meet in a conference room or in the cafeteria, perhaps asking the donor if she’d find it helpful to get away from the office.