10 Ways to Foster Giving Habits
Hello everyone!
I hope you had a great January. I hope you are making it a priority to reach out and touch all of your relationships from over the past 36 months to say thank you.
A general rule: once a donor does not respond to 8 touches, then you could consider removing them from your active donor group. But not before. To get there, try a call, a letter, an email, or maybe a text, but however you choose, reach out and say thank you. This should also include your board and volunteers, and it’s a great time to thank your staff too!
As we venture into 2023, I want to bring attention to ways we can foster habits of giving in our relationships. We have a tremendous opportunity to foster giving habits, especially in younger generations who are still forming their habits. You could use the following as a to-do list, or just think about these ideas!
Educate on giving, the impact of giving, and the joy of giving – if we don’t, who will?
Share the value of creating community impact.
Establish healthy volunteer engagement programs:
Short-term volunteer engagement – immediate reward
Connect people to a community of others so they feel belonging
Share how parents can help their kids engage in giving and creating community impact.
Create opportunities for involvement based on what individuals care about.
Help donors find systematic giving experiences. Examples: automated giving systems with clear understanding that they are giving regularly, sponsorships of a child/family.
Provide social connection options in the giving experience. Examples: a “post to Facebook” link after a donor has given, GoFundMe, Instagram campaigns, etc.)
Ensure a clear connection between the gift and its impact on changing lives. Show donors how their gift creates value: help them “own” the impact.
Host club-type gatherings for millennials: share giving opportunities and impact, and have older donors (Boomers, Xers, etc.) share stories of the impact giving has had on them.
Simplify ways to give. Set up one-click giving, etc. Evaluate special events accessibility to busy donors and millennials.
Learn about each donor, as an individual!
As you move into 2023, use these tried and true ideas (resulting from insights from the field) to foster habits of giving. I think you will also find great value in this month's podcast on understanding the differences between for-profit and nonprofit boards. It connects in many ways to our 10 ideas above.
Have a wonderful February,
Jamie
