The Fundraising Landscape, Circa 2005

Bond with new donors
The biggest mistake nonprofits make is failing to pay close attention to new donors who have just given their first gift. Here’s a proven fact: New donors who fail to give a second gift within two to four months of their first gift likely will never give again.

To put it more positively, new donors who give a second gift within two to four months of their first gift are three or four times more likely to continue giving long into the future.