Retention

Most nonprofits rely on donors to fund campaigns that allow their organization to pursue its mission and achieve goals. Convincing prospects to become donors can be challenging if a nonprofit is not taking a strategic approach to identify the most convertible prospects...

I’ve been a monthly donor for many years. Two years ago, I did a little experiment: I joined 20 organizations to see what they would do (10 small and 10 large organizations). I wanted to experience their “thank you” process, their subsequent communication stream, tax letters, emails, lapsed recapture (if any) and upgrade process...

Since 2008, new donor retention rates are down 22 percent and repeat donor retention rates are down 11 percent. And let’s face it, 2008 was not a banner year for fundraising (or really anything in the economy, if you weren’t a character in “The Big Short”). So, we are either getting worse at retaining people, or lower retention is happening to us because of systemic changes...

Not surprisingly, most development professionals have a long "To-Do" list. It can feel overwhelming to keep up with data-entry, make donor phone calls, draft mailings and reports and more. Being able to cross things off our list can feel great...

One of the largest food banks in the United States uses several good techniques in this direct mail appeal.

Welcome back to #NPPTrendingNow, a weekly video series where NonProfit PRO editor-in-chief Nhu Te breaks down the top three coveted stories of the week. Topping the ranks this week is from guest blogger Sam Momin, where she gives you some really creative and valuable tips for putting together an awesome swag bag. Angela Struebing shares…

Welcome back to #NPPTrendingNow, a weekly video series where NonProfit PRO editor-in-chief Nhu Te breaks down the top three coveted stories of the week. Topping the ranks this week is from guest blogger Sam Momin, where she gives you some really creative and valuable tips for putting together an awesome swag bag. Angela Struebing shares […]

One might think that gift range charts are just for large projects, such as capital campaigns or for significant fundraising efforts. And while there is some truth to that, gift range charts can be used effectively in even the smallest of fundraising shops...

Dialogue with your donors, clients or prospects begins with good data; we all know that one tenet of direct mail—garbage in and out. When we go to the mailbox, a treasure trove of information on fun, as well as vital information, awaits us. Some good, some bad and at most, lame or even useless...

I’ve always found it curious that while many organizations diligently develop a strategic plan, few take the time to craft a sustainability plan. By “sustainability” I don’t mean the environmental kind, but rather a plan for sustaining your programs and services over the long-term...