29 Tips for Gaining and Retaining a Donor Base

Examples of types of benefits are:

• Member-related — a membership card, decal, bumper sticker or lapel pin; recognition on a wall or in a book; dinners and receptions; discounts in your shop, catalog or online; gift certificates; and logo merchandise.
• Program-related — members-only events; lectures, talks and film programs; meetings with director, curator or a scientist; travel opportunities; reciprocal admission; publications; and a members-only section on your Web site.
• Visitation-related — free or discounted admission; members' line to enter; access during nonpublic hours; guest passes (free or discounted); facility rental; members room; and audio tours (free or discounted).

Other benefits could be frequent-flier miles, discounted magazine subscriptions and discounted hotel/motel/car rental rates (alumni organizations often offer this type of benefit).

6. Service. Strive to provide exemplary service to members. When a person joins, process her contribution in a timely manner and send out a thank-you and welcome package as quickly as possible. Designate a person at your organization who members can talk to if they have questions. And at the institution, treat members like family.