Major donors retained year-after-year make our job as fundraising professionals a whole lot easier. Therefore, it\u2019s best to keep these folks happy and engaged throughout the year.<\/p>\n
Are you looking for ways to engage your major donors during year-end? We\u2019ve got the secret right here.<\/p>\n
“Are you looking for ways to engage your major donors during year-end? We\u2019ve got the secret right here”<\/em> <\/i>tweet this<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\nMake It Personal<\/h2>\n
At CauseVox<\/a>, we believe that you should work on building a strong relationship with your donors throughout the year and not just reach out when it\u2019s time to make the ask. After all, it\u2019s a \u201crelational\u201d relationship, not a transactional one!<\/p>\nPlus, by staying connected with educational and engagement opportunities (even during \u201coff\u201d times), your donors are much more likely to open their hearts and wallets during your year-end fundraising campaign.<\/p>\n
Here are some ways that you can engage your major donors so they\u2019re ready to give as the year comes to a close.<\/p>\n
![\"engaging](\"https:\/\/causevox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Screen-Shot-2016-10-26-at-5.32.51-PM.png\")
<\/p>\n
Inspire\/Recruit<\/h3>\n
Start sowing the seeds for a long-term relationship with major donors beginning with the introduction. In fact, one of the best ways to meet major donors is through referrals from your current major donors. You can also do prospect research<\/a> on your own or by using a tool like Donor Search<\/a>.<\/p>\nWhen you initially connect with prospective major donors, give them enough information to help form an emotional bond to your cause before making the ask.<\/p>\n
Throughout the year, give your current major donors inspiration to fuel their desire to not just donate once but become a recurring donor. To do this, feature stories in your communications that highlight clients served and lives changed and keep a healthy mix of need and inspiration in your content in the process.<\/p>\n
When crafting nonprofit stories that connect your major donors to your cause, make it personal. Donors appreciate being told stories of real clients and viewing images that show a \u201cbehind the scenes\u201d look at your work.<\/p>\n
“When crafting nonprofit stories that connect your major donors to your cause, make it personal.”<\/em> <\/i>tweet this<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\nLearn<\/h3>\n
Really get to know your major donors over the course of the year through conversations and even online questionnaires.<\/p>\n
Find out what makes them tick. What are they passionate about? Why are they so invested in your cause? And, most importantly, what can you do to improve their experience with your organization? Is it more volunteer opportunities, or maybe a chance to serve on your board?<\/p>\n
Once you learn about your donor, don\u2019t just store the information in your head. Input this data into your nonprofit CRM<\/a> or donor database so that other staff and volunteers can build on your notes.<\/p>\nEngage<\/h3>\n
Use the information you gathered from the \u201cLearn\u201d phase to tailor opportunities for engagement. For example, consider asking major donors to participate in volunteer opportunities or serve a role on the board.<\/p>\n
One great way to keep major donors active is by asking them to become personal fundraisers for your year-end peer-to-peer fundraising<\/a> campaigns.<\/p>\nIf you haven\u2019t done so already, try meeting with your major donor one-on-one. You\u2019ll each be able to put a face to the name which helps to solidify your relationship.<\/p>\n
Ask<\/h3>\n
All donations collected from your donors are vital for your organization, but major donors and their gifts carry a lot of weight. Donors giving $500, $1,000, $10,000 and more are showing you that your cause matters to them. They prioritize you, so prioritize them!<\/p>\n
When it comes time, make the ask personal for all major donors. At the very least, schedule a Skype date or a phone meeting. Be honest with them, especially if you\u2019re nearing the end of the year and you\u2019re far from your goal. Major donors need to know that their gift matters.<\/p>\n
Plus, by staying connected with educational and engagement opportunities (even during \u201coff\u201d times), your donors are much more likely to open their hearts and wallets during your year-end fundraising campaign.<\/p>\n
Here are some ways that you can engage your major donors so they\u2019re ready to give as the year comes to a close.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Inspire\/Recruit<\/h3>\n
Start sowing the seeds for a long-term relationship with major donors beginning with the introduction. In fact, one of the best ways to meet major donors is through referrals from your current major donors. You can also do prospect research<\/a> on your own or by using a tool like Donor Search<\/a>.<\/p>\n When you initially connect with prospective major donors, give them enough information to help form an emotional bond to your cause before making the ask.<\/p>\n Throughout the year, give your current major donors inspiration to fuel their desire to not just donate once but become a recurring donor. To do this, feature stories in your communications that highlight clients served and lives changed and keep a healthy mix of need and inspiration in your content in the process.<\/p>\n When crafting nonprofit stories that connect your major donors to your cause, make it personal. Donors appreciate being told stories of real clients and viewing images that show a \u201cbehind the scenes\u201d look at your work.<\/p>\n Really get to know your major donors over the course of the year through conversations and even online questionnaires.<\/p>\n Find out what makes them tick. What are they passionate about? Why are they so invested in your cause? And, most importantly, what can you do to improve their experience with your organization? Is it more volunteer opportunities, or maybe a chance to serve on your board?<\/p>\n Once you learn about your donor, don\u2019t just store the information in your head. Input this data into your nonprofit CRM<\/a> or donor database so that other staff and volunteers can build on your notes.<\/p>\n Use the information you gathered from the \u201cLearn\u201d phase to tailor opportunities for engagement. For example, consider asking major donors to participate in volunteer opportunities or serve a role on the board.<\/p>\n One great way to keep major donors active is by asking them to become personal fundraisers for your year-end peer-to-peer fundraising<\/a> campaigns.<\/p>\n If you haven\u2019t done so already, try meeting with your major donor one-on-one. You\u2019ll each be able to put a face to the name which helps to solidify your relationship.<\/p>\n All donations collected from your donors are vital for your organization, but major donors and their gifts carry a lot of weight. Donors giving $500, $1,000, $10,000 and more are showing you that your cause matters to them. They prioritize you, so prioritize them!<\/p>\n When it comes time, make the ask personal for all major donors. At the very least, schedule a Skype date or a phone meeting. Be honest with them, especially if you\u2019re nearing the end of the year and you\u2019re far from your goal. Major donors need to know that their gift matters.<\/p>\n“When crafting nonprofit stories that connect your major donors to your cause, make it personal.”<\/em> <\/i>tweet this<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n
Learn<\/h3>\n
Engage<\/h3>\n
Ask<\/h3>\n