Retention

When donors are thanked and shown how their gifts made a difference, they are more likely to give again. Thank-you letters and notes are at their best when they make donors feel appreciated and let them know how and who they helped. How can you make your thank-you letters mean more than just words on the page? Tell stories. Particularly the story of one person, child or animal whose life was made better through the donor's help.

Time spent chasing promises to give online is better spent thanking actual donors.

These tips have been adapted from Ken Burnett's wonderful little book, "The Zen of Fundraising." Sometimes we forget that donors are our customers, our partners in philanthropy and members of our organizational family. They deserve the best care that we can give them … not just to keep them coming back and giving more, but because of their generous spirits and commitment to our cause.

If you've ever wondered how people want to be communicated with, sometimes it's as easy as asking them! Thankfully, that's what Software Advice's not-for-profit analyst has done, surveying more than 2,800 donors about how they'd like to be asked for a second donation. Here's four simple ways to motivate donors gleaned from the findings: 1. Share impact and success stories. 2. Get personal and say thanks. 3. Perform public displays of affection. 4. Ease off the requests.

The DMA Nonprofit Federation's 2011 Washington Nonprofit Conference wrapped up day one with Jennifer Bielat, vice president of direct marketing at Easter Seals, joining four other fundraising professionals to present "30 Ideas for Fundraising Success in 2011 and Beyond." Here are ideas 11-20 (view the first 10 here):

The 2011 Washington Nonprofit Conference wrapped up day one with Jennifer Bielat, vice president of direct marketing at Easter Seals, joining four other fundraising professionals to present "30 Ideas for Fundraising Success in 2011 and Beyond." Here are the first 10.

For years I've taught fundraising. I've presented scores of fundraising seminars and workshops and taught a class on the subject at Harvard University. My students have included both beginners and people who have been in the field for several years. I've been asked many of the same questions over my career. The ones I answer below are also explored more thoroughly in my book, "How to Connect With Donors and Double the Money You Raise."

In retaining your monthly donors, here’s the first step: Denounce the set-and-forget mindset. Good, now that that is complete, you can develop a strategy that actively engages your monthly donors and reminds them why their gifts are critical to the population your organization serves. And if you don’t, how will you ever upgrade their monthly gift amounts? Learn more about International Justice Mission’s annual upgrade strategy.

In 2005, Jennifer Bielat, vice president of direct marketing at Easter Seals and member of the FundRaising Success Editorial Advisory Board, shared ways to increase long-term value of premium donors.

If we are going to succeed in funding our missions, we're going to need to become donor-retention experts. Do you know what the good news is? Donors are people who've already done what you want them to do! Donors are people who've already made gifts! You're not asking them to do anything new. You're simply reminding them of how great their actions have been and asking them to repeat them again!