Fundraising: Engaging vs Exhausting, Part 2
Since we’ve already discussed ways to make fundraising more creative and engaging, let’s take a look at how to actively involve and engage your donors in your campaigns. Genuine connection and engagement with your donor base is a key component to helping them stay invested in the mission and needs of your school, church, or organization. This investment leads to donor retention and easily growing your donor base.
Engage
- Share Progress Reports – If you are raising funds for a specific project, provide your donors with updates along the way so they can see the immediate tangible results of their gifts. Don’t just limit these updates to those who have given, but to your entire donor base. Seeing the progress may spur others to give who haven’t given yet.
- Connect – Connecting with your donors through emails, phone calls, handwritten letters, newsletters, etc. shows your donors that they are more than just a source of funds. They are a part of your community and you want them to feel connected and loved. This is a great way to involve your school, church, or organization members in the process. Involve those who will be benefiting from the donations to create handwritten notes and letters.
- Share Continued Impact – Keeping your donor base engaged extends beyond the “fully funded” point in your campaign. Provide updates in your newsletters or a quarterly email to let your donors know of the continued impact of their donations on the funded projects.
Acknowledge
- Let your community know the impact their donations have on your goals. Your community at large will see the way you treat and honor your donors and may choose to join in the efforts along the way.
- For building projects, have larger donors get their names engraved on a brick.
- Get your art department and creative members of your community involved and create a wood engraving or art piece recognizing all of the donors involved in the campaign.
- Host a reception or event to thank your donors for their generous support throughout the year.
- If you have a sponsor whose donation goes far beyond what you would have expected, consider naming part of the building or even a scholarship after them.
Remind
- Regularly reminding donors about your needs, updates on the progress of campaigns, and the tax-deductible nature of their donations can prompt them to give not just once, but to continue giving throughout the year.
Thank
- Showing appreciation to your donors allows them to know that they are truly seen for more than the money they give. This is a way to let your group’s creativity come to life.
- Create handwritten/drawn thank you cards.
- Dedicate a newsletter to your donors and let them know how much you appreciate their donations and continued support.
Taking the time to cultivate authentic donor relationships creates stronger bonds. Stronger bonds and connections lead to greater giving!
Schedule a time to talk with our service team about other ways you can engage your donors and keep them invested throughout your journey.
