20 Ways to Be Donor-Centric

18. Encourage donors 
to talk to you

Good fundraising is a relationship, and that means communication. Ask donors to comment or question. Give them specific prompts. Make room on your reply forms for them to write.

19. Listen to complaints, but don't let them drive the ship

Every complaint is an opportunity to strengthen the relationship. But don't take complaints as marching orders. Remember: Three or four people complained. Hundreds or thousands wrote checks. Talk is cheap. Donations aren't. Pay more attention to affirmations that actually cost people to make than complaints that don't cost anything.