Lapsed Donors

Over the years, Richard and I have evaluated dozens of major gift programs from a wide array of organizations. When we look at these files, we often see a ton of donors who give the same amount every year. But we see very few gifts in the high five, six or seven figures. Why? The problem is that over time, development directors and their major gift officers seem to come to the conclusion that this is how their donors always behave...

Before we know it, we’ll be saying “Happy New Year!” and the last quarter of 2015 and the holidays will be a blur. Here are four things fundraisers need to focus on and plan for this week in order for 2015 to be a banner year of philanthropic support for your worthy mission...

I haven't donated in a while to this charity but after doing the online survey, it made me want to go and donate. Did they do that on purpose?

For an organization that was founded 35 years ago — specifically to build one memorial — the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) certainly has become a master of reinvention.

How the right data can help you look beyond the numbers and figure out how and why donors connect — and stay — with you.

You know all too well how many of your donors are lapsed. But your donors don’t think of themselves as "lapsed." They aren’t going around with heads hung in shame because they haven’t given in a while. In fact, most of them still think of themselves as donors. So all you have to do is remind them of that fact. Let them know how much you appreciated the last time they gave and the last amount they gave. Tell them you miss their support.

Before we know it, we will be welcoming 2014. So get started! Reach out to your lapsed donors, show them you care and show them the difference that they can again make.

As the year draws to a close, focus more on renewing current and lapsed donors than on acquiring new ones.

Lose your mid-level donors, and your major gifts will dry up sooner than you might imagine.

This year, the FSV advisors tackled the issues every-sized organization and mission need to know to thrive well into the next decades.