Donor Relationship Management

At the DMA Nonprofit Federation's 2013 Washington Nonprofit Conference last week, three fundraising professionals provided a step-by-step approach to make your data work for you to help send more targeted messages in the session "Donor-Message Matching: Increasing Response Through Offer Optimization."

Unfortunately I still hear horror stories from donors and their advisors about their experiences with fundraisers and charities. Giving should be a joy, but sadly this isn’t always the case. The inability for fundraisers or charities to thank donors is also surprisingly common. Some don’t even bother and only re-contact a donor when they make another appeal for funds. It’s quite astounding that such a basic thing as "thanks" is executed so poorly.

In a September 2006 column, Jim Hussey discussed how to deal/work with unhappy donors.

We all want to be appreciated — and be sought after — for our thoughts and opinions. This is especially true of close relationships, like those we work to build with donors. Honor your donors by listening sincerely. They, and you, will be glad you did!

Michell Whittaker, digital communications director for faith-based advocacy organization the General Board of Church and Society (GBCS), discusses what to look for in a constituent database management system.

Ted Hart speaks with Steve Hafner, founder and CEO of HEPdata, about finding wealth on his Nonprofit Coach radio show.

By paying attention to detail with your donor relationships, you honor them and show that they are important. Following these simple steps helps improve the "net worth" of your organization and your ability to change lives.

There is no magic way to grow your nonprofit year over year. It requires working hard and making sure you are excelling in all the basics including deliberately acquiring new donors, welcoming first-time donors, working hard to retain your donors, using e-mail effectively, thanking donors appropriately and taking calculated risks to find new ways to increase revenue. A thoughtful strategy that includes these things can increase the likelihood that your program will succeed.

At Blackbaud's annual bbcon earlier this week, Blackbaud Chief Scientist Chuck Longfield gave an overview of matching gifts and provided best practices for running a matching-gifts campaign in his session, "Don't Leave Money on the Table: 10 Best Practices for Success With Matching Gifts."

Unlocking the potential both in and out of your organization isn't easy. It takes digging, careful consideration and hard work. And many times what you uncover may need to be refined or shined up. But that discovery process may just reveal the diamond in the rough you've been looking for — right in your own backyard.