Finding (and Keeping) Major Donors - Part 3
How do you find and keep major donors? The key lies in understanding donor types and styles—and knowing how to best serve those who are funding your nonprofit’s mission.
In this blog series, we’re diving into who major donors are and exploring strategies to surface individuals and families who are ripe prospects. Today’s focus is on understanding major donor types and styles to help retain these important givers in your development program.
Frameworks for Major Donor Engagement
🌟 Relationship
How did this giver get connected to your organization?
What is their story, and what keeps them involved or excites them the most?
Consider asking which other causes or organizations they support to better understand their philanthropic interests.
🌟 Communication
Is this donor inspired by storytelling or personal interactions but less inclined to read emails?
Or do they pore over every word of your newsletter?
Think about their engagement style. Are they energized by in-depth discussions, or do they prefer quick, to-the-point conversations?
Learning your donors’ communication preferences will help you tailor your outreach in a way that resonates best with them.
🌟 Engagement
Is this someone who writes a check without hesitation or someone who only donates after hands-on volunteering?
Statistically, hands-on volunteers tend to be more invested, so keep an eye on those consistently offering their time in your programs.
Understanding your donors’ styles and types will help you shape your asks, acknowledgments, and even broader campaigns to connect with them where they are. Our final blog in this series will cover strategies to grow and retain your major donors for the long haul.
Timothy L. Smith
Major Donor Engagement
Non Profit DNA Presents
Discover the four-part cycle of donor relations and the proven ways your nonprofit can cultivate major donors through authentic relationships and experiences.
Enroll in our free 'Quick Wins' Mini Course, a series of short videos where Tim discusses important topics every non profit needs to know
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Donors Are People Too
Beautifully practical, straightforward wisdom for dealing personally with your ministry’s highest-potential donors … from a man who has spent his life there! This extraordinary book offers a refreshing new way of thinking and interacting with major contributors and potential major contributors to your ministry – not simply in terms of “fundraising” but as a ministry to them.
Author: Tim Smith
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