Donor Relationship Management

In a September 2006 column, Jim Hussey discussed how to deal/work with unhappy donors.

We all want to be appreciated — and be sought after — for our thoughts and opinions. This is especially true of close relationships, like those we work to build with donors. Honor your donors by listening sincerely. They, and you, will be glad you did!

Michell Whittaker, digital communications director for faith-based advocacy organization the General Board of Church and Society (GBCS), discusses what to look for in a constituent database management system.

Ted Hart speaks with Steve Hafner, founder and CEO of HEPdata, about finding wealth on his Nonprofit Coach radio show.

By paying attention to detail with your donor relationships, you honor them and show that they are important. Following these simple steps helps improve the "net worth" of your organization and your ability to change lives.

There is no magic way to grow your nonprofit year over year. It requires working hard and making sure you are excelling in all the basics including deliberately acquiring new donors, welcoming first-time donors, working hard to retain your donors, using e-mail effectively, thanking donors appropriately and taking calculated risks to find new ways to increase revenue. A thoughtful strategy that includes these things can increase the likelihood that your program will succeed.

At Blackbaud's annual bbcon earlier this week, Blackbaud Chief Scientist Chuck Longfield gave an overview of matching gifts and provided best practices for running a matching-gifts campaign in his session, "Don't Leave Money on the Table: 10 Best Practices for Success With Matching Gifts."

Unlocking the potential both in and out of your organization isn't easy. It takes digging, careful consideration and hard work. And many times what you uncover may need to be refined or shined up. But that discovery process may just reveal the diamond in the rough you've been looking for — right in your own backyard.

Relationship + Marketing = Improved Retention & Revenue: It's a slightly unnerving equation that can propel your fundraising to new levels. And it's not optional.

Heller Consulting, a consulting firm that helps nonprofit organizations streamline their operations and maximize their use of software for fundraising and mission management, announced the findings of its recent study about how nonprofits are approaching constituent relationship management (CRM).

The study involved in-depth interviews with executives at 30 large nonprofits, and uncovered how nonprofit organizations are approaching CRM to overcome challenges and meet goals. The resulting report shows that while nonprofits' definitions of CRM vary, many are approaching some form of CRM to consolidate scattered data, improve processes, and support strategic goals.