11 Proven Strategies to Jump-Start a Small Fundraising Program

Best practices

1. Mail enough names to acquire a meaningful number of new supporters.
2. Test new audiences in acquisition with new messages and offers.
3. Test your acquisition gift ask strategy. Lower entry points may increase participation.
4. Mail at least six to eight times per year in renewal. Be there when your donors are ready to respond — because your competitors will be.
5. Use your strongest campaign themes (pillar campaigns) each year in renewal.
6. Test strong acquisition campaigns in renewal and vice versa.
7. Use personal stories to create an emotional connection with donors. Testimonials and photos bring stories to life.
8. Use long-term value analysis to identify the best acquisition lists.
9. Develop a midlevel strategy to strengthen donor loyalty and upgrading.
10. Create a new donor-welcome touchpoint to increase new donor retention.
11. Offer donors a premium appeal in the renewal program if you acquired them with premiums.

Coast Guard Foundation
In 2010, CGF achieved rapid breakthroughs in its annual fund. It expanded active donors by 35 percent, increased the number gifts by 50 percent and increased gross revenue by 40 percent. Sisley shared how.