Maintaining Long-Term Relationships with Donors
As I talk to nonprofit owners, a recurring theme is the struggle to retain donors for long periods of time. People often opt for a one-time donation, or cancel their recurring subscription a few months in. Why is that? The short answer: they don’t feel connected anymore.
While acquiring new and one-time donors is important and certainly not insignificant to supporting your mission, it doesn’t help you prepare financially for the future. Without sustainable, recurring relationships, it’s so much harder to predict how much will come up - thereby stunting or impacting your future growth. I want you to have the stability and peace of mind knowing that you have adequate funds coming in to support your future endeavors to help continue touching more lives.
Let’s talk about how to nurture and maintain relationships with existing donors!
Show Gratitude
It's essential to show gratitude to your donors. Make sure to thank them for their contributions, regardless of their size. A simple thank-you note or phone call can go a long way in building relationships with your donors. Expressing gratitude can show that you value and appreciate their support.
Share Updates
Keep your donors updated about the progress of your organization. Share success stories, milestones, and goals. This can help donors feel connected to your cause and understand the impact of their contributions. Regular communication can also keep donors engaged and interested in supporting your organization.
Personalize Communication
Personalize your communication with donors. Address them by their name, and create messages that are tailored to their interests and giving history. This can help donors feel valued and appreciated, and it can also increase the chances of them continuing to support your organization.
Celebrate Milestones
Celebrate milestones with your donors. This can include the anniversary of your organization, reaching a fundraising goal, or a successful event. Celebrating these milestones can help donors feel connected to your organization and can also be an opportunity to express gratitude for their support.
Seek Feedback
Ask for feedback from your donors. This can help you better understand their needs and interests, and it can also help you improve your fundraising strategies. Take the time to listen to their feedback and suggestions, and make changes accordingly.
To ensure long-term success with donations, constantly look for ways to your donors feel like part of your family.
Maintaining warm relationships with your donors is an ongoing process. By showing gratitude, sharing updates, personalizing communication, seeking feedback, and celebrating milestones, you can build strong relationships with your donors. It’ll keep them sticking around for longer, wanting to invest financially, emotionally, and sometimes physically in your efforts. These relationships can help ensure the sustainability and success of your organization.
If you've got a fundraiser coming up…
Hit reply and let me know so I can include you on an upcoming post on Instagram for folks to support you.
If you need help connecting with your donors more…
I’d love to help you strategize! Maybe we need to beef up your social media marketing, email newsletter, or design a campaign. I’m here to help!
