Bloomerang

MAY 26, 2021

So you want to start up (or restart) a donor acquisition program. The reality is, whether you are trying to grow a new file or stop attrition on your existing file, there’s no better way to obtain and keep new donors than with a well-executed donor acquisition program. Options could include: Direct mail.

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Program Donor Tips Channel 116

Bloomerang

JANUARY 20, 2023

Today’s question come from a fundraiser and donor who wants advice on how to handle poor donor engagement: Dear Charity Clairity, I’m a fundraiser, but also a donor. Because when a nonprofit doesn’t treat me as if I matter, as I carefully and consciously treat donors to my organization, I get a little peeved.

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Donor Philanthropy Charity Gift 100

3rd Sector Labs

JUNE 30, 2014

Many nonprofits don’t know their donor data. If we don’t know our donor data, how can we effectively plan a fundraising appeal? Combat the challenges of donor retention? So, how do we know that nonprofits don’t know their donor data? Because donors are people, and people’s lives change.

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Attention Data Donor Retention 157

Robert Weiner

MAY 15, 2017

They asked for advice on how to handle their existing recurring donations, and whether it’s possible to migrate those transactions to the new processor. Some of the best advice I’ve seen on this came from technology consultant TJ Griffin. Ask your recurring donors to move to the new processor.

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System Donor Advice Convio 113

Bloomerang

AUGUST 11, 2023

Today’s question comes from a director of development who wants advice on how to quickly and efficiently find the best major gift and planned giving prospects: Dear Charity Clairity, We recently purchased donor analytics and now have a database overlay indicating who has major gift and planned gift likelihood.

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Analytics Donor Gift Database 63

Bloomerang

JUNE 9, 2022

As a nonprofit fundraiser, you’ve probably heard some variation of the phrase, “treat every donor like a major donor.” If you treat every donor like a major donor, you’d probably run out of team member time. Plus, not all of your supporters want to be wined and dined like a major donor. Who are your major donors?

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Donor Gift Database Relationship 102

The Storytelling Non-profit

APRIL 25, 2022

As a non-profit organization, a thank you letter is one of the first touch points a donor receives after making a gift to your organization. This thank you letter can be the gateway to building a long lasting relationship between the donor and your cause. Are you curious about how to write an impactful thank you letter to your donor?

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Tips Donor Sound Gift 100

Everyaction

FEBRUARY 5, 2018

In today’s digital age, it might seem somewhat nostalgic to talk about direct mail. While it’s tempting to default to cost effective communication channels like email and Facebook, direct mail is still very much in play. Today, direct mail continues to be an effective way to prompt donors to take action.

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Mail Test Audience Tools 67

Bloomerang

AUGUST 27, 2021

Today’s question comes from a nonprofit employee who wants advice on whether or not you have to ask for donor feedback in person. . Dear Charity Clairity, I recently read your advice about how to tactfully ask for donor feedback without making promises, and I appreciate what you had to say. So far, so good. .

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Personal Mail Advice Survey 117

Roundtree

FEBRUARY 14, 2022

4 Habits to Retain Donors. Donor relationships are just that: relationships. Retaining donors requires intentionality. Here are four habits your organization can develop to build stronger relationships with donors and retain them: #1: Communication is the key. . This is also true with donors. You have to tell them!

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Donor Relationship Retention Gift 52

Bloomerang

MARCH 22, 2024

Today’s question comes from a nonprofit employee who wants advice on whether they should hire a development consultant: Dear Charity Clairity, I’m a one-person development shop, wondering if I should hire a consultant to help with some of the work that’s not getting done. Develop a direct mail donor acquisition program.

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Consultant Develop Teach Problem 100

Pamela Grow

JANUARY 13, 2021

This change would leave many of our donors (without email addresses) in the dark when it comes to news and feel-good stories about the organization. We continue to solicit donors using direct mail and emails. Many thanks for your professional advice, Bonnie. Put the donor in the picture. The photos need captioning.

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Newsletter Donor Retention Nashville 52

Nonprofit Tech for Good

JUNE 23, 2020

As a general rule, donations pages should be simple, optimized for mobile giving, and ask for the minimal amount of information required to make a donation and to capture a donor’s contact information. It’s also worth sending a postcard campaign to your one-time donors asking them to become monthly donors.

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Practice Online Fundraising Nonprofit 339

Qgiv

FEBRUARY 2, 2022

Showing donors appreciation is one of the best ways you can go about retaining your donors. Donor love is the act of showing that appreciation via thank-you emails, handwritten notes, kind gestures, donor appreciation events, and other methods. How to create a donor appreciation letter or email.

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Donor Virtual Hosting Template 52

Neon CRM

JUNE 16, 2023

Engaging donors is no simple task. Building long-lasting fruitful relationships with your donors requires diligence, hard work, and careful planning. But if you follow the principles of the donor engagement cycle, you can use them as a framework around which to build the rest of your donor stewardship plan.

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Map Donor Guide Newsletter 52

Bloomerang

NOVEMBER 13, 2023

Or being a major donor who should feel known and valued and instead receives a blanket non-segmented appeal message like: Dear friend, If you gave to Sweaters for Penguins in the past, thank you. Step 1: Use actual names At the most basic level, start by using a donor’s first name in the email or letter.

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Idaho Personal Money Raise 99

Bloomerang

DECEMBER 9, 2022

Today’s question come from a nonprofit employee who want advice on which year to count gifts that are made on or before December 31, but not received until January: . Donor perspective (for tax deduction purposes) . Donor Perspective. The donor cares about when they can claim a deduction. The donor makes a gift of stock.

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Gift Charity Mail Pledge 80

Bloomerang

MARCH 13, 2023

Generally not much beyond what these folks feel personally, but I hope you know by now you are not your donors. Practical advice: How often to message people? I recommend: Quarterly appeal mailings (not including newsletters) is just about the minimum I’d recommend for any nonprofit if you want to stay top-of-mind.

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email Communication Mail Nonprofit 121

Bloomerang

JANUARY 13, 2022

Donors who just made a donation to your nonprofit during the end-of-year giving season might not think you need another donation from them so soon after they made their last gift. Factors like these tend to lead to fewer donations and a lower donor engagement rate during this time of year. Start by thanking your donors.

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Fundraising Gift Donor Social Media 123

Candid

APRIL 6, 2023

Not only does it allow nonprofits to expand their donor base; it also enables them to engage with their existing supporters in a more personal and meaningful way. Inspire your volunteers and donors with compelling examples and real stories of how your nonprofit makes a difference in the community.

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Campaign Fundraising Mail United States 98

Bloomerang

OCTOBER 30, 2023

As we’re preparing for our year-end appeals, can you offer some advice on how we can infuse our year-end appeals with the magic of the season? Sharing individual stories of need are more personal to donors than an overview of the broader impact. It’s important that you infuse a warm, personal touch in your year-end appeals.

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Lesson Effective Create Giving 82

Connection Cafe

JUNE 19, 2017

Especially if you don’t have a deep pool of your own experiences to draw on, how can you benefit most from the advice that is so freely offered? Donors to a religious organization may have different motivations than donors to an environmental organization. For example …. Where have they honed their fundraising skills?

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Evaluation Advice Tips Create 39

Kindful

JUNE 15, 2021

If your organization is interested in beginning the process of collecting donations online, keep reading to see our advice for navigating the technical world of online giving. Create a visually appealing social media post urging donors to give and link to your organization’s donation page. Direct mail.

Online 80

Online Donation Fundraising Mail 80

Blue Fox

OCTOBER 1, 2021

Is your staff prepared to make the asks, attend the events, mail the collateral and try some Facebook fundraising ads? In 2020, U.S. nonprofits raised $2.47 billion dollars. What was your piece of that ‘pumpkin’ pie? Let’s talk 2021! What about your board members… are they fired up for fundraising season?

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Ideas Fundraising Script Nonprofit 147

Allegiance Group

SEPTEMBER 16, 2022

At Allegiance Group, when we talk about fundraising writing, we focus primarily on direct mail and email appeals directed toward individual donors. But here’s the thing… your donors also know another campaign is coming sooner or later. Ask early in the appeal and repeat the ask multiple times.

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email Effective Fundraising Language 52

Care2

NOVEMBER 6, 2014

All nonprofits struggle with donor retention. You might think that your donors are a mystery. I''m going to let you in on a little secret: your donors should never be a mystery. Get to know your donors, and let them really get to know your organization. Think about it like donor dating. Here''s a challenge for you.

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Retention Donor Stats Mail 70

TechImpact

SEPTEMBER 9, 2013

This is no surprise, but it poses a growing dilemma among nonprofits and foundations as more and more donors, sponsors, and volunteers turn to technology to facilitate actions and make connections. Beyond the social sphere, nonprofits see less activity from mailing (i.e., direct mail and email).

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Challenge Technology Mail Files 140

Bloomerang

MARCH 13, 2023

Generally not much beyond what these folks feel personally, but I hope you know by now you are not your donors. Practical advice: How often to message people? I recommend: Quarterly appeal mailings (not including newsletters) is just about the minimum I’d recommend for any nonprofit if you want to stay top-of-mind.

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email Communication Mail Nonprofit 73

Bloomerang

DECEMBER 15, 2023

Today’s question comes from a nonprofit employee who wants advice on how to attract corporate matching gifts: Dear Charity Clairity, I have a question about how to attract corporate matching gifts. We receive very few, and I wonder why more donors don’t take advantage. Donors don’t like leaving money on the table any more than you do.

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Gift Practice Companies Benefit 92

Qgiv

AUGUST 5, 2021

Reaching donors and engaging with them is important for donor retention! On average, nonprofits only manage to retain between 40-45% of their donors each year. Take a look at how you can use mobile engagement to keep your donors captivated by your organization. What is mobile marketing and why does it matter?

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Mobile Fundraising Contact Phone 98

Bloomerang

DECEMBER 2, 2022

Today’s question come from a nonprofit employee who want advice on whether suspense or emotion is a better hook in a fundraising appeal: . The message you call emotional might be your best bet for a more targeted mailing that speaks to those who share the values the successful campaign will allow to come to fruition.

America 90

America Charity Mail Channel 90

The Modern Nonprofit

APRIL 6, 2021

In this blog, you’ll learn about: Annual Giving, Donor Retention, Major & Legacy Gifts, Online Fundraising, Boards & Leadership, Content Marketing, Social Engagement , Strategy & Management, and Culture & Values. THE AGITATOR / DONOR VOICE. While her content might not look super modern, her advice is invaluable.

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Bookmarking Storytelling Nonprofit Social Media 98

Get Fully Funded

MAY 29, 2023

The most important thing you must do when you receive a donation of any size is immediately thank your donor warmly and provide a donation receipt. Most nonprofits completely miss this opportunity to wow their donor, so it’s not that hard to stand out. We call it the Cycle of Giving and here’s how it works: The donor gives a gift.

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Donation Online Create Gift 98

Bloomerang

AUGUST 7, 2021

Today’s question comes from a nonprofit employee who wants advice on how to encourage their Development Director to take meetings with major donors. . Dear Charity Clairity, Every time I attend a conference or webinar on the subject of major donor development I learn about the importance of meeting with major donors in person.

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Develop Gift Charity Teach 119

Nonprofit Tech for Good

DECEMBER 13, 2018

She also writes about digital marketing with helpful and actionable advice on Wired Impact’s nonprofit marketing blog and for their online guides. Most generations of donors are now comfortable making donations on a nonprofit’s website. Growing your mailing list. Recording donations in a donor management system.

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Websites Nonprofit Guidelines Phone 253

BoardAssist

DECEMBER 2, 2014

As the end of the year draws year, it seemed a great time for us to stop and really think about the donors that make the work we all do possible. For advice on the topic, we turned to fundraising pro Rachel Muir. How to Make Your Donors Feel like Heroes. I said call and congratulate your donors on how they are making an impact.

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Donor Dallas Gift Texas 63

Bloomerang

DECEMBER 4, 2021

Today’s question comes from a nonprofit employee who wants advice on what to do when you get notified of an estate gift of which you were previously unaware. . For example, the form would ask about the designation, contacts/background of the donor, timelines to expect funds (for future planning purposes), etc. .

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Gift Phone Charity Contact 100