Donor Relationship Management

Caring for, nurturing and developing relationships with your donors is what major-gift fundraising is all about. If you do that well, the money will follow. Providing your donors with amazing service will set you apart from all the other charities that are clamoring for your donors. Make no mistake; as much as you may not want to think about it, you are competing for the attention of your donors with dozens of other organizations.

On Dec. 14, I mailed checks for $25 to 19 nonprofits. Then, I mailed $25 checks on Dec. 31 to an additional four organizations that I have supported for several years. Despite all the arguments I have heard defending the need to save money by not receipting donors (or at least not donors under a certain threshold, often $50), I simply cannot support that cost-saving measure.

Successful nonprofit development (both fundraising and marketing) is all about persuasion. One of my favorite books is Daniel Pink’s To Sell is Human. His premise is that we’re all in "sales" on a daily basis. Whether it’s simply trying to get your kids up and out the door in the morning or persuading your boss to give you a raise, you’re constantly coaxing people to induce a specific desired behavior....

You’ve probably known someone in your life with the special gift of making you feel like you matter. Like you’re his or her “favorite.” That’s what donor-centered fundraising is all about. Your donors know that you couldn’t do it without them, that their support matters. Because you speak to them in that way that reminds them, each and every time, that they count...

Last month, I read this article in the Boston Globe Magazine, titled "You’ve Been Asking Charities the Wrong Question." It emphasized the importance of focusing on social impact rather than overhead costs. That’s an important discussion, but what struck me were the responses in the print version of the magazine. Your intention may be very different…

Pop quiz: Who should receive a "thank you"? A recurring donor who gives $15 a month A major donor who gives a $10,000 gift A first-time donor who gives a $50 gift A regular donor who gives a gift to a special campaign like #GivingTuesday A new donor acquired through a peer-to-peer fundraising campaign All…

Still tracking your donors through five different versions of Excel spreadsheets, endless email chains and Post-It notes? Let’s be real: You need a better way to manage your individual donors. A donor management system will save you time and will help you be a smarter fundraiser. Not sure how this works? Here are the top…

Over the last couple weeks, I've listened to major gift officers on why they haven’t done what they said they were going to do with their caseloads. All of their reasons have to do with losing focus on what their primary jobs are: creating and building meaningful relationships with donors...

There are many ways to thank your donors for all their support in the previous year: send an email, write a note, make a phone call or even hold an event. One medium that can be quite effective in thanking your donors is video. Luckily, it’s never been easier or cheaper to produce a high-quality…

Imagine hosting an event where you don’t sell tickets or ask for donations—instead you simply give your top-tier prospects a night to remember. It’s an exclusive gathering, it sparks interest and, if done right, it’s a great way to revive your donor list. This type of donor-appreciation event is known as a cultivation event, an…