5 Keys to Deeper Donor Relationships

Say thank you more than please
Yes, multiple asks work — especially for direct-response donors. But as donors become more connected, and as gifts increase in size, donors get worn out. Donor fatigue happens when your relationship is not deep enough to support the frequency or level of requests you are making.

Remember, timely and personal handwritten notes and calls to say thank you are inexpensive and priceless. Personalized invitations to special events and all forms of appropriate recognition pay great dividends. When major donors gets automated annual-fund appeals and invitations to several special events, they often begin to look at other organizations that better understand them.

Make it personal
Your donors are vital — show them how they are a part of your story. Develop a plan for how you will communicate with your donor over time — with multiple thank-yous — and be sure that with every thank-you and update you further involve the donor in the story.

Know your donors' preferences for communication. Know those who prefer statistics on your impact, and know those who prefer stories. And as a practice, share both, leading with the human-interest stories — show the life-changing impact that donors have.

Make it easy
Help donors get in a giving habit. For some, this may be monthly giving. For others, it may be the opportunity to make an annual gift commitment and fulfill it over the year. And don’t forget the options of multiyear commitments. Be sure to track electronic fund transer and credit card payments to alert donors of any lapses.

Your goal is to build long-term, deep relationships with donors. You want donors to look forward to that next call or visit and for donors to eagerly open that email or mail. Donors will celebrate their involvement when you pay them the attention they deserve and make them a part of your story.