Give and Take

Truly great donor stewardship is an art and a science. It’s not just being able to connect with your donors on an emotional level; it’s being able to engage them in a way that adds value to their lives and shows them the fruits of their philanthropic efforts. The best organizations have mastered the art of donor stewardship, and they’re using that knowledge to grow their fundraising programs year after year.

A common misunderstanding is that charity begins with the wealthy. In fact, much of the world’s charitable giving originates from grassroots efforts and individual donors—not Bill Gates or Mark Zuckerberg’s foundations.

Not only does a monthly giving program generate predictable revenue, but it also generates loyalty and protects against donor attrition. It can increase matching gifts and allow donors to give more generously.

A major donor thank-you letter is a monumental part of the stewardship process and keeps people connected to your mission. Don’t leave writing a major donor thank-you letter to the last moment. You can prepare ahead of time by drafting a sample document and then customizing it as is necessary. 

Your days are full of negotiations, one after another. Some are small, like persuading your kid to eat a little breakfast before school. Some are bigger, like getting your team on board with the idea you want to pitch to your boss. And some are bigger, like buying a house or asking for a promotion. Life is all about negotiation — and negotiation is happening all the time.

Is your charity the nonprofit version of The Titanic?​ It could be if you don’t have a planned giving program. We all know that finding and maintaining sources of funding is a constant challenge. But too many nonprofits focus their time and energy entirely on annual donations. Their fundraisers dodge crisis after crisis, caught in a never-ending storm of annual appeals that just manage to keep the boat afloat.