How do you engage and retain your donors in a competitive market?

1 Know your donors

The first step to engaging and retaining your donors is to know who they are, what they care about, and how they prefer to interact with you. You can use various tools and methods to collect and analyze data on your donors, such as surveys, interviews, social media, CRM software, and donor personas. By knowing your donors, you can segment them into different groups based on their interests, motivations, behavior, and giving patterns, and tailor your messages and appeals accordingly.

2 Tell compelling stories

The second step to engaging and retaining your donors is to tell compelling stories that showcase your mission, vision, and impact. Stories are powerful tools to connect with your donors on an emotional level, inspire them to take action, and reinforce their trust and loyalty. You can use different formats and channels to tell your stories, such as newsletters, blogs, videos, podcasts, and social media. Make sure your stories are authentic, relevant, and specific, and highlight the problems you solve, the solutions you offer, and the outcomes you achieve.

3 Thank your donors

The third step to engaging and retaining your donors is to thank them sincerely and promptly for their support. Thanking your donors is not only a matter of courtesy and gratitude, but also a way to acknowledge their contribution, show your appreciation, and encourage them to stay involved. You can use different methods and mediums to thank your donors, such as phone calls, emails, cards, certificates, gifts, and recognition events. Make sure your thank-you messages are personalized, timely, and meaningful, and reflect your brand and values.

4 Involve your donors

The fourth step to engaging and retaining your donors is to involve them in your work and community. Involving your donors is a way to deepen their engagement, increase their satisfaction, and foster their commitment. You can use different strategies and opportunities to involve your donors, such as inviting them to volunteer, attend events, join committees, share feedback, advocate for your cause, and refer others. Make sure your involvement options are accessible, diverse, and appealing, and match your donors' preferences and capacities.

5 Update your donors

The fifth step to engaging and retaining your donors is to update them regularly on your progress, challenges, and plans. Updating your donors is a way to keep them informed, interested, and connected. You can use different tools and platforms to update your donors, such as reports, newsletters, emails, social media, and webinars. Make sure your updates are clear, concise, and consistent, and highlight your achievements, challenges, learnings, and goals.

6 Ask your donors

The sixth and final step to engaging and retaining your donors is to ask them for their continued support. Asking your donors is a way to sustain your relationship, secure your resources, and grow your impact. You can use different techniques and tactics to ask your donors, such as direct mail, email, phone, online, and face-to-face. Make sure your asks are strategic, respectful, and appropriate, and align with your donors' interests, motivations, and abilities.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?