13 Timeless Keys to Increasing Donor Giving
Hello Everyone,
I hope 2016 is off to a great start! In the Midwest, we have had a lot of snow and cold. I am ready for spring. I know, I know, it's only the beginning of February, but I am a wimp when it comes to cold weather. You would think with Canadian heritage that wouldn't be the case, but oh, I struggle in the cold. My father would shovel snow in 10-degree weather with a t-shirt and pair of slacks on. I need gloves, a heavy coat, hat--maybe even hand warmers, smile.
Well, enough of my whining. I thought this month I would revisit research I did about 18 years ago on keys to increasing giving to an organization. This was the result of researching 15 different national studies on increasing giving, along with other research that had assessed thousands of donors. I narrowed all of the research down to 13 critical things that were present in all of the research, no matter what the focus of the constituency.
The organization has a clear mission and case for support.
The organization has credibility in its philosophy and operations.
The public has trust in the organization.
People can see the vision and connect to it
People served are represented and their views are expressed.
The organization is actively engaging the community in volunteering.
Core donor relationships are closely stewarded (they give 2.5 x’s more).
Youth and adult volunteers can have opportunities to serve.
Services and programs are aligned with the need.
Solicitation is highly donor focused and personal.
Stewardship is accomplished through wise spending and keeping donor interests as a priority.
Offering tax deductible contributions because those that deduct give more.
Sharing stories of strong donor relationships with the organization, and offering opportunities to engage through giving.
Keep these in mind as you focus on stewarding donor relationships this quarter. These are good points of reflection for your organization. Thankfully, old wisdom still rings true--these are still the ways we can most effectively build support for the causes we serve.
Warmly,
Jamie
