Keeping New 2011 Year-End Donors Active in 2012

In addition to having the “gift designation” shown on the receipt, another option is to have a basic receipt letter with one paragraph that is variable depending on the designation. Talk specifically in that paragraph about how the donor's gift will help advance your mission in 2012 through the project he helped fund.

Plan a welcome series
Research shows that you have a 90-day window to get a second gift from a new donor. How you treat donors for those three months is essential. Your goal is to strike a balance; you don’t want to overwhelm them with contacts, but you also don’t want them to feel ignored.