Donor Relationship Management

Your donors probably each has at least five other organizations trying to capture their attention and another 10 to 15 organizations wanting to start relationships with them. So, what are you doing to stand out in your donors' minds, capture their heart and have them always take your call?

The ultimate expression of transactionalism is assuming that people will not support your mission with their money or time if they are not directly impacted by whatever it is your mission fights.

If you are in this situation with a caseload filled with non-responding, uninterested donors, then you are wasting your precious time. That is a fact.

As we come into the holiday season, potential donors will be considering where to allocate their gifts.

Donors are fascinating, unique individuals who consider multiple motivations when deciding how, when and why to be charitable. It is no longer enough to say, “Our donors give because they care about our mission.” It's important to uncover donors’ motivations.

I hear too many speeches, sit in too many meetings, and receive too many communications (written and electronic) where the author starts off by building the case and then finally gets to the reason for building it. This tactic will confuse your major donor.

You and I have a desire to be connected to others and when that other person shows you that they know you, that connection strengthens. Even when you may not know the other person that well, a personal touch will immediately strengthen that relationship...

I especially like the magical approach that the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children took instead of referring to the donor newsletter. It’s funny how something as simple as this can get the creative juices flowing. You indeed can create some magical experiences for your recurring donors...

While we have many superstars in the nonprofit arena, too many professionals don’t understand the art, science and nuances of nonprofit leadership — boards, strategic planning, program evaluation and fundraising — and too many others aren’t willing to insist on proven best practices...

Does this sound familiar? We’ve all been there. A purchase that seemed like a good idea at the time but with such terrible follow up, we’ve vowed never to shop or visit again. Here is the hard truth, unfortunately. Is this how our donors feel? Unsatisfied and regretting their gift to our organizations almost as soon as they make it?...