Ready. Set. Stop.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve seen this happen with nonprofits. They prepare themselves for a big fundraising campaign, set up a fundraising site<\/a>, and launch it.<\/p>\n They do all the right things. They launch big, get their support base involved, and send out messages on all their channels.<\/p>\n After a few donations, things putter to a stop. Their support base doesn\u2019t respond.<\/p>\n Here are five steps get your donors to take action:<\/p>\n Assign one person in your organization a designated contact person per donor. Then carry out a donor engagement plan that involves setting goals and plans for how you will be keeping your donors engaged and involved throughout the year, not just when you need their money.<\/p>\n Donors come from a variety of professions and present with a variety of skills and competencies. Survey your donors, and find out how they think. You can also use an Empathy Map<\/a> to help with this.<\/p>\n Give your donors choices on how they can help. Don\u2019t just have a financial option. If they take a pass, don’t push it. However, if they are willing and able – put them to work in a defined and tangible project.<\/p>\n Keep your donors regularly informed of your organization\u2019s initiatives and successes and\/or failures \u2013 perhaps through a email newsletter. Always invite your community into a conversation to keep a pulse on what they are thinking and feeling.<\/p>\n1. Create structure<\/h2>\n
2. Evaluate your donor base<\/h2>\n
3. Present options for involvement<\/h2>\n
4. Allow for donor feedback<\/h2>\n
5. Recognition<\/h2>\n