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Please don’t go! 5 ways to win donor hearts again.

A lapsed donor is a donor who hasn’t given in a while. (And of course, that’s insider talk. But you’re an insider, so we’ll use the term here.) But how do you define that period? How long do you consider a donor active? Experts tell us that after a first gift, you need to thank […]

Filed Under: Blog, Donors Tagged With: donor care, donor retention, lapsed donors

Are you making it hard to give?

Are you getting between donors and your mission? With the best possible intentions, you just might be. It’s the curse of knowledge that every dedicated fundraiser develops. You know your organization’s work, inside and out. (You have to if you’re going to do a great job – so I know you do!) You understand the […]

Filed Under: Blog, Donor communications, Thanks Tagged With: donor communications, donor retention, Fundraising

4 Ways to Turn One-Time Donors Into Long-Term Supporters

You’ve just wrapped up a successful fundraising campaign. The donations are in, the thank-yous are sent, and the team is celebrating a job well done. But what happens to all those new names on your donor list? Converting one-time donors into long-term supporters is a vital step toward building a sustainable funding base for your […]

Filed Under: Blog, Donor communications, Donor retention Tagged With: donor communications, donor retention

Donor identity: How do your donors see themselves?

Understanding donor identity will strengthen your fundraising. My daughter graduated from Oberlin College. At the ceremony, speakers repeatedly encouraged the grads to go change the world. They were greeted with loud cheers. It was obvious that from alumni to faculty, to graduating students and their younger friends, Oberlin has a strong sense of self. It’s […]

Filed Under: Blog, Branding, Donors Tagged With: donor identity, donor retention, donor survey

Human. Connection.

Fundraising is emotional work We are made for it. We need it, from the most introverted to the most outgoing. There’s a reason solitary detention is such a painful punishment. We are social creatures. So, why, oh why, are so many fundraisers falling in love with the magic shortcut (said in sarcasm, a language I’m […]

Filed Under: Blog, Donor communications Tagged With: appeal writing, donor relationships, donor retention

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