Donor Relationship Management

In 1993, four respected organizations worked closely together to publish a list of 10 “rights” intended to establish a stronger relationship between philanthropists and their nonprofit beneficiaries. However, 23 years ago the world was vastly different—as was the world of philanthropy. Because of far-reaching changes that have taken place since then, the "Donor Bill of…

Fundraising involves a lot of asks. But not every ask needs to be a big one. The reality is, timed and designed right, tiny asks can reap big rewards for your development efforts. In fact, I think they’re actually one of the best kept secrets of successful donor retention. There are, essentially, two types of…

Congratulations, you’ve got a new email subscriber who’s interested in your cause and impact. Now’s the time to introduce the individual to your nonprofit with an email welcome series. You get just one chance to make a first impression! Dumping a subscriber into your list with no explanation or recognition can be jarring or, worse,…

As Garth Stein's "The Art of Racing in the Rain" opens, Enzo, the canine narrator, tells a story that will make you laugh, make you cry and make you laugh again. And we’re left with no doubt that Enzo would be as remarkable a human as he was a dog. And that he’d be one heck of a good fundraiser...

Gift cards used as recognition are like wiregrass in my fescue, like a dog’s butt on my favorite pillow, like white zinfandel being the only wine served. There is so much wrong with using gift cards as recognition, and actually as gifts in any regard, that it’s hard to even know where to start chewing on the issue. I always have known it was wrong...

There is a friendly debate going on between a major gift officer, with a great deal of experience, and me. The subject is about the use of receipt returns in major gifts—that tiny, tear-off "coupon" that is attached to the official receipt that goes to a donor...

The problem with the ease of communicating these days is, well, we talk too much! And too often, we aren’t really communicating with people who really want to engage in that particular conversation at that particular time. Before you move into the busy last four months of the year, take time to consider your donor audience...

Communicating effectively with your donors and would-be investors is the first step in achieving fundraising success. I’m talking about communicating with your supporters in ways that attract their attention, give them confidence that you’re really doing something worthwhile...

With the rise of laptops, smartphones, social media and more, nonprofits now have more tools available to them for engaging donors than ever before. The problem that comes with having so many choices, however, is that it can be difficult to figure out exactly which engagement techniques are most effective. To complicate the matter even further,…

Donor fatigue is a theory I’ve never fully subscribed to. Largely, because I don’t think people get tired of giving. I believe they get tired of uninspired, cookie-cutter solicitations that lack personal significance. If we’re doing our job poorly, an accusatory finger should be pointed inwardly, not at the general public. Some things in life…