Donor Relationship Management

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?...

You’re feeling the pressure. You have to reach your goal. You were reminded again last week. Some donors on your caseload are behind. And there is concern that the budgeted funds will not come in...

It’s amazing to me the wild stories nonprofit leaders and fundraisers make up in their heads about why donors are not giving. It’s like you’re trying to develop excuses not to go out and fundraise — and you’re a fundraiser!...

I am writing this — call it a lament, a plea, a whine — not as a grant writer or as the co-author of a book about how to write grant proposals, but as a donor. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not a zillionaire philanthropist. I do, however, donate relatively small (not to me) sums to numerous nonprofit organizations...

There’s no turning back from the behavior changes and disruption brought about by the pandemic. Savvy companies are leveraging this digital transformation to build audience-centric strategies and grow their organizations as they re-emerge from the pandemic-driven recession...

We regularly speak with clients about how they talk to supporters to activate or “prime” their identities as people who support their organizations. We’re often asked if reminding donors that they are a “donor” or a “volunteer” is a good idea...