Do you want to attract new donors? When it comes to fundraising, investing in your relationship with current donors is the most important (and effective) thing to do. Just as in business, it costs five times more to acquire a new customer than to retain one. Yet every year, every nonprofit loses donors, and if […]
How to help people feel connected now
We’re zooming, we’re calling, we’re writing… but are we connecting? Here are some ideas to help people feel connected now. I read an article recently in Psychology Today about the importance of feeling understood. In fact, the title was: Feeling understood more important than feeling loved. Whoa. Maybe this is a good time to look […]
After the ask: why donor engagement matters
Donor engagement is critical. How are you doing? You’ve probably seen donor retention numbers over the last several years. Over the last five years, donor retention rates have been between 44% and 46%. That’s not good. And acquiring new donors has only gotten harder and more expensive. (But don’t stop trying!) So, what are you […]
The important ways you say something without words
What are you saying to donors without words? Last week, my friend Clay wrote a terrific piece about the importance of data in your fundraising program. You can – and should – read it here. (Don’t worry, I’ll wait.) Clay makes an important argument for not overlooking the “little” things. Hand data entry over to […]
What can you do for your donors?
Last week, I wrote about seeking feedback from your donors. One thing you might really want to learn is what you can do for your donors. Fundraisers must think about money. Your organization needs it, and you are likely being evaluated on how much you can raise. But if you put your donor hat on, […]