Grow Donors and Major Gifts

Where to Start

Engage people who know your work already! Here are a few tips to get you started.

Run regular gift reports. (Don’t have a database, we can help you get started with a free Salesforce license.)
Look at who’s giving. Who gave last month? Who gave over a certain amount? (That may be $50, $500 or $5,000, depending on the size of your nonprofit.) Who increased their giving by 50% or more?

Thank donors. Donors give more when they know their donations matters. This is a great opportunity to engage your board in reaching out to donors with calls/emails to say, “Thanks for your support. Your gift really matters to our work.” (This special touch goes beyond the formal thank you letter that you sent by email or snail mail right after you received their gift.)
Don’t assume. We rarely know why someone gives, unless we ask. “What inspired your generosity” is a great question!

Send updates. You never want donors to hear from you just when you ask for money. Let them know about a program success, client story, news coverage, or a big grant/gift received.
Create opportunities. Small, intimate gatherings are a great way to share your knowledge and perspective on issues related to your organizational mission. The more informal and conversational the better! Consider a quarterly fireside chat with the executive director, donor appreciation gathering at the office, or a house party hosted by a board member. Even if a donor can’t attend, the invitation feels special.

See the slides for our Grow Individual Donors class for an overview on building a base of the best kind of donor – individuals who give year in and year out, no proposal required!
Watch YouTube videos on our @CommunityGrantwriters channel
Stream the learning modules of our Fundraising for Small Nonprofits curriculum at your convenience
Read Funder Follies weekly newsletter on the unintended consequences of doing good, and funny things that happen in fundraising.

Check out our interactive, online class to Grow Donors.