The urgency of year-end giving has passed. Inboxes are quieter. Teams are tired. And yet—this is often the most important moment of the year for your donor relationships.

For many nonprofits, the year-end season brought a surge of generosity—new supporters giving for the first time, longtime donors renewing their commitment, and recurring donors continuing to show up month after month. What happens next matters more than the ask that brought them in.

Before donors are asked to give again—whether it’s their second gift, their tenth, or the next installment of a recurring commitment—they need to be thanked. They need to see the impact of their generosity. And they need to feel that their support—ongoing or new—wasn’t just received, but truly valued.

Because while fundraising calendars move on, donors remember how you made them feel.

That’s why we created Love Your Donors Day. Not as a seasonal distraction or a one-off moment, but as a deliberate pause—an opportunity to recognize the people behind generosity. The donors and the doers. The volunteers, advocates, board members, and supporters who show up again and again to fuel your mission.

This moment exists for one simple reason: donor love isn’t extra or nice. It’s essential.

The Data Tells a Clear Story: Retention Is the Real Risk

If the nonprofit sector has a quiet crisis right now, it isn’t generosity—it’s connection.

According to the latest Fundraising Effectiveness Project (FEP) Q3 2025 report, total dollars raised are estimated to be up 3.7% year over year. At the same time, the number of donors continues to decline—down roughly 3%, even after accounting for late-reported data.

That gap matters, because it tells us something critical: giving is increasingly concentrated among fewer people.

When we look closer, the picture becomes even clearer. Micro-donors—those giving between $1 and $100—make up more than half of all donors, yet they have the lowest retention rate at just 21.3%. New donor retention remains stubbornly low at around 14%, meaning most first-time supporters never return. Meanwhile, repeat donors—those who feel known, appreciated, and connected—continue to be the most stable and valuable segment in the sector.

This is a relationship problem and relationships aren’t built through transactions alone.

What Actually Improves Retention: Start With Appreciation

The good news is that retention isn’t a mystery—it’s measurable, learnable, and deeply human.

In Bloomerang’s Mission Retainable research, donors consistently told us the same thing: they stay connected when they feel informed, valued, and seen. In fact, 65% of donors say receiving regular updates about their impact helps them feel more connected to a nonprofit, and 30% cite personal recognition or thank-yous as a key driver of commitment.

High-retention nonprofits share a few common practices. They thank donors promptly and personally. They show impact early and often—reinforcing the value of every gift, whether it’s someone’s first or part of a long-standing commitment. And they continue the conversation beyond the receipt, using updates, stories, and milestones to reinforce that every gift mattered.

The data also makes one thing clear: appreciation works best when it happens before the next ask. Donors who are thanked within 24–48 hours are significantly more likely to give again, and organizations that prioritize personalized communication see stronger long-term loyalty across every donor segment.

Retention doesn’t start with a campaign. It starts with a relationship—and appreciation is often the first signal that a relationship is worth continuing.

Celebrating the Donors and the Doers

Appreciation doesn’t stop with donors—and retention doesn’t either.

One thing we want to be clear in stewardship and Love Your Donors Day is that generosity shows up in many forms. Yes, through financial gifts. But also through time, expertise, advocacy, and care. Volunteers, board members, peer fundraisers, and community champions are all part of the ecosystem that sustains nonprofit work—and they deserve to be recognized as such.

Sector data reinforces this connection. Volunteers are significantly more likely to become donors over time, and often more loyal ones. When people are acknowledged for how they show up—not just how much they give—they deepen their relationship with a mission and are more likely to stay engaged.

That’s the spirit behind Love Your Donors Day and the toolkit we created to support it. It’s a collection of practical, low-lift resources designed to help nonprofits express appreciation to everyone who contributes—whether they give money, time, or services. Because meaningful stewardship isn’t about narrowing your focus; it’s about widening your gratitude.

When people feel valued for who they are—not just what they give—they stay. And when appreciation becomes inclusive, relationships become stronger across the entire community.

An Invitation for February—and Beyond

Love Your Donors Day is ultimately an invitation.

An invitation to slow down after the rush of year-end giving and focus on what sustains generosity over time. An invitation to thank the donor who gave for the first time, the supporter who has given for years, and the recurring donor who quietly shows up every month. To recognize the volunteer who contributes time and talent week after week. And to celebrate the advocates, board members, and community builders whose contributions don’t always come with a receipt—but matter just as much.

This February, we encourage you to make appreciation a practice, not a checkbox.

Use the free resources in our Love Your Donors Toolkit to help you say thank you in ways that feel genuine and doable. Use the Love Lab to generate appreciation letters. Explore ideas that make impact visible before the next ask. And take part in Love Your Donors Day by entering our $1,000 giveaway—our small way of giving back to the nonprofits doing this work every day.

Most of all, use this moment as a reset. A reminder that stewardship isn’t separate from fundraising—it’s what makes fundraising possible. Afterall, fundraising is a relationship business. 

When appreciation is consistent, inclusive, and heartfelt, people stay connected. And when people stay connected, missions grow stronger.

Let’s make February a month of gratitude—for the donors and the doers behind nonprofit work, and for the relationships that make lasting impact possible.

The post A Letter to Nonprofits: Why Donor Love Matters More Than Ever appeared first on Bloomerang.

You send the email.
You make the call.
You follow up—politely, professionally, thoughtfully.

And then… nothing. No reply. No acknowledgment. No signal of interest or disinterest. Just silence.

For many fundraisers, donor silence feels personal. It triggers doubt. Did I say the wrong thing? Did I wait too long? Did they lose confidence in us? Should I push harder—or back off completely?

Here’s the truth most fundraisers need to hear—and hear often:

Donor silence usually has very little to do with you.

But what you do after that silence? That part matters a lot. This article will help you separate what’s outside your control from what absolutely isn’t—and show you how to respond in ways that build trust, loyalty, and long-term generosity.

Donor silence often has nothing to do with you

Let’s start by lowering the temperature in the room.

A donor’s decision to pause, delay, or disengage is far more likely tied to their personal life than to your performance as a fundraiser. Donors are human beings first, philanthropists second. And human lives are messy, unpredictable, and constantly changing.

People disappear for reasons that have nothing to do with your mission, your message, or your competency. They go quiet because life intervenes—sometimes loudly, sometimes quietly, and sometimes all at once.

Here are some of the most common (and invisible) reasons donors temporarily go dark:

• Holiday busyness
• A health issue or unexpected surgery
• Buying or selling a home
• Navigating a complicated tax situation
• Moving, downsizing, or relocating
• Caring for aging parents or family members
• Feeling overwhelmed, burned out, or emotionally tapped out
• Experiencing a season of major personal transition
• Family problems

Notice what’s missing from that list: you.

When donors stop responding, it’s easy to overanalyze or assume rejection. But more often than not, silence is simply a signal that life has become crowded. Your message didn’t land at the wrong time—it landed in the middle of something else.

The key lesson here is simple but powerful:

Don’t sweat the things you can’t control.

You cannot manage a donor’s health, stress level, family obligations, or emotional bandwidth. Trying to decode silence without context will only drain your energy and confidence. Great fundraisers learn to stay grounded when responses slow—and they don’t panic when they lose visibility into a donor’s world.

How to respond when a donor’s life gets disrupted

When a donor’s life becomes complicated, your role isn’t to fix it—or to fill the silence with pressure. Your role is to shift into empathy.

This is the moment where average fundraising behavior and exceptional fundraising behavior diverge. Some fundraisers push harder. Others disappear completely. The best fundraisers stay present without being intrusive.

Instead of escalating urgency or retreating into avoidance, respond with humanity. Acknowledge what might be happening. Offer patience. Make it clear that the relationship matters more than the transaction.

When donors feel respected during difficult seasons, something important happens. They learn that your interest in them isn’t conditional. That you value them as people, not just as check writers. And that kind of experience creates loyalty that no clever appeal ever will.

Ironically, the less pressure you apply in moments like this, the more trust you build.

But here’s the twist: you should sweat the things you can control

While donor circumstances are outside your control, donor experience is not. This is where accountability comes back into the picture—not as self-criticism, but as opportunity.

Many donors don’t stop giving because life got busy. They stop giving because something quietly eroded their confidence in the organization. Not dramatically. Not all at once. But gradually, through small misses and overlooked details.

Here are the most common reasons donors disengage that are within your control:

• They didn’t feel thanked in a meaningful way
• Their generosity felt taken for granted
• Communication was inconsistent or sloppy
• Impact was vague or never clearly shown
• Messages felt generic or mass-produced
• Follow-up was slow, unreliable, or impersonal
• You sent too many messages that started to annoy them

None of these issues are about money. They’re about experience. And experience is where great fundraising lives or dies.

Your job isn’t to control donor behavior. Your job is to control the quality of every interaction they have with your organization.

Become a standout fundraiser by mastering the controllables

Exceptional fundraisers don’t obsess over outcomes they can’t dictate. They obsess over execution they can perfect.

They understand that loyalty is built through hundreds of small, thoughtful moments—not one big ask. They know that donors stay when they feel seen, respected, and confident that their generosity matters.

Here’s where elite fundraising teams focus their energy:

• Upgrade donor communications by thanking promptly, writing personally, making thank-you calls, and avoiding generic language that makes supporters feel like a line item in a database.
• Demonstrate impact clearly and consistently, using real stories, emotional close-up photos, and tangible outcomes that connect the donor’s gift to meaningful change.
• Deliver excellent donor care, treating donors like partners, responding reliably, following through, and communicating with warmth and professionalism

This is where organizations quietly separate themselves from the pack. Most nonprofits are decent at asking. Far fewer are exceptional at stewardship.

When donors experience consistent excellence—especially in small things—they don’t just continue giving. They deepen their commitment. They advocate. They trust.

And trust is the most valuable currency in fundraising.

Happy donors become loyal donors

Donor loyalty doesn’t come from pressure. It comes from confidence. Every timely thank-you reinforces trust.

Every thoughtful update builds reassurance. Every personalized interaction reminds donors they matter.

The cumulative effect of these moments is powerful. Donors who feel valued don’t disappear easily. Even when life gets complicated, the relationship remains intact. They may pause—but they don’t detach.

This is why the small stuff matters so much. Sweat the details. Polish the experience. Show up consistently. Yes, it takes effort. Yes, it requires discipline. And yes, it may make you sweat a little. But the return is worth it.

Final thoughts

Great fundraising isn’t about pressure—it’s about presence. It’s about understanding when to lean in and when to give space. It’s about extending empathy when donors are navigating life, and excellence when you’re shaping their experience with your organization.

Don’t internalize silence that has nothing to do with you. Do take responsibility for every touchpoint you control. When you do both well, you don’t just raise more money. You build durable, respectful, human relationships—the kind that last for years.

And that’s what great fundraising has always been about.

The post Unresponsive Donors: A Smarter Way to Respond appeared first on Bloomerang.

Dear Charity Clairity,

Right now, I am signing and jotting a note on the acknowledgement letter for every gift made by a donor in my portfolio of roughly 1,500 donors of $1,000-$9,999, as well as prospects (event attendees/invitees, some non-donors, and others who’ve been identified through research as having good potential). These are all folks whom I am attempting to build relationships with to some degree. While I recognize it might be more effective for the signer to be someone higher up in the organization, we are all geographically spread out and, even if we weren’t, nobody else has the bandwidth to be signing these. We recently promoted someone to Senior Development Associate/Board Liaison, and I’m wondering if we could have them sign letters? This would be mostly for gifts below $1k, with the goal of giving these folks extra attention to bring them up to, and beyond the $1,000 level. 

— Too Many Letters to Sign

Dear Too Many Letters to Sign,

You note your goal is to build relationships.

And the strategy you’ve outlined towards achieving this outcome is signing and jotting personal notes on acknowledgements.

Let’s break this down.

• The goal is spot on.
• Your strategy of special, individual notes is terrific – a great starting point.
• Getting personal is key to building and sustaining relationships.

But whether this works effectively will depend on what else you do. As well as what others within your organization do. Because philanthropy facilitation is a team effort.

A team approach to the gratitude game.

Ideally, everyone is part of your culture of philanthropy. Sometimes, the task of instilling this culture falls to a visionary development staffer. It begins with encouraging team members to come from a place of “love of humanity” in all their interactions – extending this both internally and externally.

The key is playing to each individual’s strengths. When they get personal, they should do so through an expression of their unique selves.

So, before assigning donor-facing, relationship-building duties to anyone, consider where their strengths lie. Are they good with people? Do they listen well. Are they curious? Would any of these adjectives apply to them: empathic, kind, generous, creative, optimistic, inspiring, collaborative, resilient?

How donor relationships blossom.

If they don’t put their best, most authentic self into the relationship then it’s not really going to become a relationship.  It will simply be a transaction. Transactions end. Relationships bloom.

It’s a mistake to get fixated on a single task (signing; note jotting) lest it become a mere transaction. One you simply check of your list, before planning ahead for the follow-through moves and touches that will result in a transformative journey for the donor – and, hopefully, for your organization as well.

Okay, let’s get to the meat of your question.

Here are some strategies I’ve found effective for acknowledgements:

1. Prompt response. This means 48 hours for snail mail and instantaneous for email or texts sent in response to online gifts. Note, I consider this the “official” response that lets donors know their gift was received and appreciated (i.e., it didn’t go into a black hole). This does not mean a subsequent thank you, from someone else, might not be optimal (see below).

2. Handwritten signatures. Some people will actually lick their fingers to see if the ink smudges off. They want to know someone took the time to personally sign their letter. And, yes, the more important the better. Because sometimes people care that the head of the organization knows they gave.

3. Adding personal handwritten notes. These are MAGIC – so keep doing what you’re doing. To me, a thank you letter without a personal note is like a Hallmark card with nothing but a signature.  It simply looks like you couldn’t be bothered to even try to connect. They’re best when you can refer back to a recent communication or meeting with the donor to show them you know them (e.g., “Great to see you at the Gala,” “Hope your daughter is enjoying college!,” “Seen any good films lately?” or “Looking forward to our coffee!”). But even something simple like “Your dedication means a lot!” or “You are our hero!” work well. 

• The note can be written directly on the appeal letter itself, or
• On a little sticky note you affix to the top (visible when the recipient opens the appeal).

4. Adding more personal handwritten notes. Whatever you do, don’t cut back on these. You likely won’t have the bandwidth to write notes on every letter, but you can definitely do so where it’s likely to give you the biggest bang for your buck.  There are two places where I’d suggest you focus:

• Donors who’ve made above-average gifts to you in the past. First, figure out what the average gift was to your organization. Second, run a report of everyone who gave more than this amount. Might you be able to add notes to these folks’ appeals? You can have a volunteer or staff person do this. Just something simple like: “Thanks for your support. It means a lot!” “You make all the difference!” “Your generosity means the world to those who rely on our support.” What’s important is you begin with you and you put it in handwriting, so the donor feels special. Because you took the time to single them out.
  
• Donors who have connections to your board and committee members, other donors, and volunteers. People give to people, not organizations. So, if someone the recipient knows adds a personal note, they’ll automatically pay more attention. It’s a form of social proof, one of the key principles of influence espoused by Robert Cialdini. If someone else thinks your organization is worth supporting, then the recipient is likely to agree. For them, the note acts as a decision-making shortcut.

5. Added thank you phone call. (See below)

6. Additional thank you letter or note. (See below)

Here are some relationship-building ideas for you moving forward:

1. Continue signing acknowledgements and writing brief personal notes for everyone in your current portfolio. (I’m assuming it’s mid-level, and you have someone else handling major gifts) If you have too many folks to handle, hand some off to your new Senior Associate. If there are a few who would benefit from a note from your senior leadership, select these out and ask your staff or board members what they can realistically handle.

• You might consider having the letters signed by a senior leader, while you then add the personal, handwritten note. It could be something like “You rock! All of us here are so grateful for your meaningful support.” If you know the donor is close to your Executive, you might even write: “Monika asked me to let you know personally how much we all appreciate your support.”

2. Create a mid-level portfolio for your Associate (starting with donors from $500 – $999). Prioritize those who’ve made first-time gifts at this level (this is a significant initial commitment, so special treatment is warranted) and those for whom your research shows additional capacity.

3. Make prompt thank you phone calls to targeted donors. Yes, this adds to your workload. But, research shows it’s well worth it.

• BONUS: For folks on your list who should really get a letter from senior leadership, you can make the prompt call, letting them know they’ll receive their official thank you later. Do leave a quick message, letting them know how to contact you should they ever have any questions. It’s so nice when people feel they have “their person” with whom to connect!

Having too many letters to sign is a good problem! If you can hire folks to help you, great. If not, identify others on your team who may be the right fit for this sort of task. Then, allocate a portion of their time to what I like to call your “Donor Love and Loyalty” program.

Hopefully, these tips will help you make the case to allocate more resources to this magical relationship-building strategy.

— Charity Clairity (Please use a pseudonym if you prefer to be anonymous when you submit your own question, like “Too Many Letters to Sign” did.)

How does your organization navigate stock donations? Let us know in the comments.

The post What’s the best way to acknowledge gifts if you hope to use them to build donor relationships? appeared first on Bloomerang.

People like to do business with people they like, trust, and know. If donors, vendors, and partners consistently have unexpectedly pleasurable interactions with a nonprofit’s board members and staff, they will not only stay engaged but also become loyal advocates.

But what does “unexpectedly pleasurable” mean? It means going beyond standard expectations. It means surprising donors with genuine kindness, friendliness, thoughtfulness, and personal attention—the kind that makes them say, “Wow, I’ve never experienced anything like this before!” This level of engagement is rare in the nonprofit world, which is precisely why it’s a game-changer.

Here’s why friendliness can make all the difference

1. People give to people they like. Studies show that donors are more likely to give when they feel a personal connection to the organization. In fact, after four years of giving, one of the primary reasons donors continue to give is because of the close, personal, friendly relationship they have with the person who asked them for money.
2. Retention is cheaper than acquisition. Keeping existing donors engaged through great experiences costs far less than finding and cultivating new donors. Remember, it costs five times more to find a new donor than to keep an existing one.
3. Positive word of mouth. People talk about extraordinary experiences. When donors feel deeply valued and appreciated, and when they feel like you’ve done or said something exceptional that makes them feel special, you can bet they’ll spread the word.
4. Increased lifetime value of a donor. The better the experience of donor year in and year out, the more likely a donor is to give larger and more frequent gifts, and there is a strong likelihood they’ll eventually make a bequest.
5. Competitive advantage. Most nonprofits don’t prioritize friendliness as a strategy. They send form letters, make scripted calls, and welcome donors to events with a congenial smile and a limp handshake. Their focus is more on quickly finding new donors than doing the time-consuming work it takes to cultivate and steward loyal, long-time donors. They do the minimum and donors feel it.

A culture of friendliness can separate you from the pack if you go above and beyond to create interactions that leave donors feeling valued and appreciated on a deeply personal level… and yes, it will set your organization apart from others and stakeholders will notice.

Examples of friendliness creating tangible benefits

Research supports the idea that being friendly and going above and beyond builds stronger relationships and increases donor support.

• The 5-minute call that raised millions. One study conducted in California showed that when organizations followed up with a short, friendly phone call thanking donors, repeat donations increased by 40%.
• The Ritz-Carlton effect. The luxury hotel chain is known for anticipating customer needs. Nonprofits that offer concierge-style service to their donors—like personalized event invitations, handwritten birthday notes, and warm, friendly, and sincerely gregarious greetings—see higher engagement rates.
• Surprise and delight in fundraising. One nonprofit that included unexpected thank-you videos from beneficiaries in their donor outreach saw a 62% increase in donor retention rates.

Five benefits of making interactions unexpectedly pleasurable

1. Stronger donor relationships

Building deep, meaningful relationships with donors goes beyond sending receipts and thank-you notes. When donors feel truly valued, they develop an emotional connection with the nonprofit. This emotional connection leads to continued support, increased giving, and long-term commitment.

Small, unexpected gestures of appreciation—like highly personalized handwritten notes, anniversary acknowledgements, or personal phone calls—can make all the difference in building lasting donor relationships. And instead of a standard office meeting, invite a donor to a meaningful location, like a site visit.

When you are with a donor in a one-on-one setting, ask fun and sincere questions about family, hobbies, history, work, sports, and interests. It’s important to be yourself, but remind yourself to be friendly and show genuine interest beyond the donor’s giving history when interacting with them.

2. Higher volunteer engagement

Nonprofits rely heavily on volunteers, yet volunteer retention is often overlooked. A welcoming, friendly environment where volunteers feel appreciated ensures they remain engaged and motivated. Providing an unexpectedly pleasurable experience, whether it’s through personal recognition, special perks, fun team-building events, and a friendly atmosphere, helps create a community of dedicated, long-term volunteers who are passionate about the cause.

3. Increased sponsorship and business partnerships

Businesses and sponsors are more likely to invest in nonprofits that prioritize building authentic relationships. Organizations that go the extra mile by offering a friendly, personalized, gratitude-filled experience for sponsors can increase sponsorship retention rates and attract new business partnerships.

Hosting special recognition events, providing exclusive networking opportunities, or simply making sponsors feel like true partners rather than just financial contributors will set a nonprofit apart from the rest. Consider random acts of kindness: Send an unexpected email just to say, “Thinking of you today. Hope you’re doing great! Any new or interesting things happening at work or in life?”

Or perhaps one of your vendors had flooding at their facility. In this case, have some board members, staff, and volunteers show up to help with the clean-up. Help a donor move. If a donor is an injured single senior, offer to help them with things like yard work, grocery shopping, or running to the pharmacy. It’s not about being a neighbor, it’s about acting neighborly.

4. Enhanced donor and event experiences

Galas, fundraisers, and donor meetings shouldn’t feel transactional. They should feel special and unforgettable. From personalized greetings to curated thank-you gifts, nonprofits that put effort into making every interaction unexpectedly pleasurable create buzz and excitement around their events. This, in turn, leads to increased donor participation, larger donations, and stronger long-term engagement.

Consider offering concierge-style check-ins and greet donors by name, making note of something personal you know about them (kids, pets, sports, travel, etc.). And if appropriate, have beneficiaries greet them when they arrive and say goodbye when they leave. Give VIP donors special access to events, and behind-the-scenes access to programs they support.

5. Boosted morale among staff and board members

A culture of friendliness and appreciation doesn’t just benefit donors, it also positively impacts staff and board members. When the leadership and staff are encouraged to create warm, friendly, personable interactions, it leads to a more positive work environment. Staff members who feel valued and connected to their mission perform better and smile more, leading to greater overall staff morale, staff retention, and organizational success.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, friendliness isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a strategic advantage in nonprofit fundraising and relationship building. By making every donor, volunteer, vendor, and partner feel unexpectedly valued and appreciated, organizations can cultivate deeper loyalty, increase engagement, and ultimately raise more money.

The nonprofits that take the time to go above and beyond to provide unexpectedly pleasurable experiences will be the ones that stand out in an increasingly competitive sector. The question is: What can you do to be more friendly and to make your next donor or stakeholder interaction unexpectedly pleasurable?

The post The friendly factor: how going above and beyond wins donors and builds loyalty appeared first on Bloomerang.

1. Show that overhead costs are covered

Many donors hesitate to give because they worry about overhead. How much of my donation actually goes to the cause? That’s a question every fundraiser has encountered. If you can assure donors that a major benefactor or foundation has already covered administrative costs, you remove a major mental barrier to giving. People love the idea that 100% of their gift will go directly to programs. Transparency in this area can transform cautious supporters into generous backers.

2. Ask for donations in face-to-face settings

Most nonprofits drastically underutilize face-to-face solicitations, even though they are the most effective way to secure major gifts. In fact, nearly 80 percent of all money donated to charities comes from people, and nearly 80 percent of this money comes from face-to-face giving.

While emails, phone calls, and letters have their place, nothing replaces a direct, in-person ask. Sitting down with a donor allows you to build trust, share your passion, and create a personal connection. Most importantly, it creates a dynamic asking environment where the donor can ask questions and the fundraiser can nurture a relationship.

And many donors are willing to give more than they initially planned, simply because of the emotional engagement that happens in these meetings. If you’re not spending at least 20-30% of your time on direct donor interactions, you’re leaving money, big money, on the table. Pick up the phone and take a donor to coffee, or better yet, invite them to see your programming in action.

3. Focus on passionate donors, not just wealthy ones

Some of the biggest gifts in nonprofit history have come from donors who started small. It’s easy to chase after millionaires, but the truth is, commitment matters more than capacity. The loyal donor who gives $100 a year, year-after-year, could one day leave a $1 million bequest. Stewarding and nurturing relationships with people who genuinely care about your mission can yield long-term rewards. More than 200 of Harvard’s million-dollar donors started with contributions of less than $100. It’s not always about who has the most money—it’s about who has the deepest connection to your cause.

4. Leverage the power of major gifts to inspire others

Donors often look to their peers for validation before deciding to give. When they see that a high-net-worth individual or well-known foundation has stepped up with a substantial gift, they begin to believe in the worthiness of your cause.

This is especially true for capital campaigns, program expansions, and during gala fundraisers. A well-publicized lead gift creates momentum and credibility. People naturally think, If someone of that caliber believes in this, then it must be a great investment. Highlighting major contributions in newsletters, at events, or through PR campaigns can create a ripple effect that motivates first-time donors or encourages existing supporters to increase their giving.

5. Establish matching gift opportunities

Matching gifts are one of the most powerful tools to encourage larger donations. Studies show that 40 percent of donors would make a larger gift if a match was applied to their gift. When people know that their $1,000 donation will be doubled or even tripled thanks to a generous match from a major donor or foundation, they feel like their contribution has exponentially more impact.

Donors want their money to go as far as possible, and a well-structured matching program taps into that desire. Not only does it encourage giving, but it also adds an element of urgency—people don’t want to miss out on the chance to maximize their gift. Smart nonprofits make matching gifts a cornerstone of their fundraising strategy, particularly for year-end appeals, capital campaigns, and special initiatives.

6. Ask donors for advice

Major donors are often business leaders, entrepreneurs, and seasoned philanthropists who have been involved with numerous nonprofits and giving campaigns. Instead of treating them as cash machines, invite them into the strategy process. If you’re struggling to close the final gap in a capital campaign, ask a major donor how they would approach the challenge. People love sharing their expertise, and when they feel invested in the solution, they are far more likely to contribute at a higher level. This approach transforms donors from passive funders into active partners in your success.

7. Use big names to lend credibility

When a well-known celebrity, high-profile individual, industry leader, or respected public official in the community supports your nonprofit, it signals trust and legitimacy to potential donors. People feel safer making social investments in organizations that have been vetted or endorsed by those they respect.

It’s not just about wealth; it’s about reputation. Whether it’s through testimonials, endorsements, or advisory board participation, big names provide a psychological “stamp of approval” that can move hesitant people to give, and usually to give more.

8. Give donors their moment in the spotlight

Let’s be honest, people love recognition. Many donors won’t say it outright, but deep down, some, not all, appreciate being valued publicly. Recognition doesn’t have to be grandiose. A simple shout-out in a newsletter, a profile in an annual report, or a moment of gratitude at an event can go a long way.

Some of the most effective donor engagement happens when nonprofits highlight community influencers, those who may not be wealthy but who have significant social capital. Think about the impact of acknowledging a beloved local pastor, a café owner who supports youth programs, or a retired teacher who’s been a loyal supporter for years. When people see individuals like these being recognized, they feel encouraged to give.

9. Demonstrate the impact of giving

Donors want to see the return on their social investment. It’s not enough to tell them their gift is helping—you need to show them. Impact stories, progress reports, and real-life testimonials go a long way in proving that their contribution is making a difference. Instead of vague statements like, Your support helps children in need, try something more concrete: Because of you, 300 at-risk students received free tutoring and meals this year. When donors see tangible outcomes, they are more likely to deepen their commitment and increase their giving.

10. Inform donors of needs instead of directly asking for money

Sometimes, the best way to secure a donation is not to ask for one at all. Instead of saying, We need $50,000 to expand our literacy program, try something more engaging: We have 500 children on a waiting list for our literacy program, and we need more books and tutors to serve them. This approach shifts the conversation from a financial transaction to a shared mission. People want to solve problems, not just write checks. By framing the need in a compelling way, you allow donors to see themselves as part of the solution.

Conclusion

Motivating donors to give more isn’t about manipulation or high-pressure tactics—it’s about inspiration, connection, and trust. By leveraging major gifts, creating matching opportunities, highlighting credibility, recognizing donors, demonstrating impact, and engaging them personally, nonprofits can cultivate lasting relationships that lead to increased generosity.

The key is to make donors feel like true partners in the mission. When they see the impact of their giving and feel genuinely appreciated, they won’t just give more—they’ll give for years to come. Unlock generosity and loyalty by treating donors with the respect, appreciation, and engagement they deserve.

How do you unlock generosity without pressure? Let us know in the comments. 

The post Motivate Your Donors To Give More Without Pressure appeared first on Bloomerang.

Many nonprofits prioritize donor acquisition over stewardship, treating stewardship strategies as a frivolous or just a ‘nice to have’ endeavor. Cultivation done right isn’t a cost center, however, it’s a revenue center.

If you want to turn one-time donors into lifelong supporters, you need to build out a new, personalized donor cultivation journey.

The image below is a stellar example of how to properly thank, nurture, and then—after 90 days—solicit a new donor.

The sample new donor cultivation timeline above incorporates personalized communication, like phone calls and notes, and regular communication, like email newsletters. It also includes a survey to learn more about the donor and deepen the donor relationship. If you want help putting this into action at your nonprofit, download this free stewardship template.

Why personalization matters: A checklist for donor cultivation

The greatest gift you can give a donor is the gift of feeling known by you. Stewardship strategies that include personalized donor journeys can help you achieve this. How can you do it? Here’s a checklist to help you create a personalized donor journey that inspires loyalty:

1. Make welcome thank-you calls to new donors

The impact of thanking new donors personally is well documented. In one study, first-time donors who received a personal thank-you call within 48 hours were four times more likely to give again. Would you like to have donors who are four times more likely to give another gift? Make the call short and sweet—just a heartfelt thank you and an acknowledgement of their generosity.

2. Send thank-you letters, emails, or postcards, personalized to reflect they’re a new donor

We want to roll out the red carpet to these new donors to make them feel like they’re a part of something truly special. Remember—these are the new kids on the block and we want to give them a thank-you email, letter, or postcard that celebrates that. The greatest gift we can give our donors is the gift of being known by us, so calling them out in your thanks as a first-time donor who you’re thrilled to welcome into your donor family goes a long way! Use warm, inclusive language that makes them feel part of a tribe.  Here are a few examples with some subject lines to get you inspired!

Seven subject lines thanking a new first-time donor

You just did a wonderful thing {First name}

[First name], your kindness creates hope!

pop the cork! [First name], you’re part of something special

[First name], you’re the newest reason we’re smiling today

It’s official: __________ (target beneficiary, like endangered species or patients with Parkinson’s) have a new friend (that’s you, [First name]!)

Welcome aboard [First name]

[First name], your kindness is the beginning of something extraordinary …

3. Report back on donor impact

Don’t let a simple thanks be the last thing they hear from you. You can use a letter or postcard to show your donor the impact of their gift. You can send it anytime after the thank you has gone out, ideally 30-60 days after the gift. Make it something they’ll treasure by using photos of their gift at work and immersive storytelling to make them feel like they’re there in person. Don’t just thank them for their gift—speak to the human behind the giving by celebrating and reflecting on their kindness and compassion.

Here’s a reporting back example below to help get your creative juices flowing:

4. Talk to donors to understand their motivations

Learn what inspires your supporters. Surveys can help personalize future communications and show donors you value their perspectives. Keep the questions short and focused, like “What inspired your gift today?” or “What aspects of our mission interest you most? (with 3-4 multiple choice answers and a blank option to write one in)” or an open-ended question like “Is there anything else you’d like us to know?”

5. Include a surprise or delight element

A small token of appreciation—like a handwritten note, a welcome kit, or even a video email thanks—can make a big impact. It’s not the size of the gift; it’s the thoughtfulness.

6. Share donor impact through immersive storytelling

Use photos or videos to bring your mission to life. Show donors how their kindness fuels real change and make them feel part of the journey.

7. Invite donors to an exclusive event

Build stronger relationships by inviting donors to an event that connects them to your mission—like a behind-the-scenes tour, a webinar with your leadership, or a celebration of recent milestones.

How donor cultivation drives ROI

Investing in donor cultivation isn’t just about retention—it’s about maximizing lifetime value. Did you know that increasing donor retention by just 10% can result in a 50% boost in lifetime donor value? That’s the power of stewardship strategies done right.

Short on resources? Automation tools can help you send thank-you emails, surveys, and updates on schedule. Reserve personal touches like calls or handwritten notes for major donors.

Turning one-time donors into lifelong supporters

It’s more than a goal—it’s a mindset. When you prioritize emotional connections using personalized outreach, you’re building relationships that transcend transactions.

Donors want to feel like a vital force in your mission, not just a source of funding. Every personalized touch point—thank-you calls, welcome kits, updates—shows them they’re indispensable to your success.

The result? Donors who stick with you not just for one campaign but for years to come. Loyal supporters who feel seen, valued, and celebrated will champion your cause in ways that amplify your impact far beyond what you could achieve alone.

Stumped for ideas to include in your new donor cultivation timeline? Here are 23 ideas to love on your donors to help get you started.

Have some favorite stewardship strategies you want to share? Drop them in the comments like a hot potato!

The post From First Gift To Forever: Building Donor Loyalty That Lasts appeared first on Bloomerang.

Our eBook, Purpose-Driven Efficiency: 6 Strategies to Drive Impact and Strengthen Your Mission, explores how you can align operations with your mission to achieve more meaningful impact. Purpose-driven efficiency isn’t just about saving time—it’s about creating the capacity to do more of what matters: deepen relationships, simplify programs, and build a stronger foundation for long-term success.

The myth about nonprofit efficiency

When many people hear the word “efficiency,” they think of cutting corners or trimming budgets. For nonprofits, efficiency often feels like a trade-off. How do you streamline without losing the heart of your mission?

But purpose-driven efficiency flips that narrative. It’s about working smarter—removing bottlenecks and giving your team the systems they need to thrive. Imagine eliminating time-consuming manual tasks and streamlining disconnected systems. When every process supports your mission, efficiency drives growth.

It’s also about trust. Your donors want to see that their gifts make a difference. When you operate efficiently, it shows you’re an intentional steward of resources. That trust builds stronger connections and creates a foundation for deeper engagement and support. Purpose-driven efficiency sends a message: Your organization respects your supporters’ time, contributions, and trust.

This eBook offers strategies to help nonprofits streamline operations and foster that trust. For example, one nonprofit automated recurring gift tracking and saw donor retention grow by 15% in just one year—proof that small operational changes can lead to big results.

Signs your nonprofit might need a reset

Do any of these sound familiar?

• Overloaded with admin tasks: Your team spends more time tussling with spreadsheets than connecting with donors.
• Burnout creeping in: Staff feel stretched thin and are losing the sense of purpose that drives them.
• Disconnected systems: Your tools don’t “talk” to each other, which wastes time and creates inefficiencies.

These are signs that it might be time to rethink how your nonprofit operates. Purpose-driven efficiency is about more than addressing problems—it’s about creating systems that help your mission grow. When you remove barriers and streamline workflows, you’ll create a culture where your team can focus on the work that moves the needle: strengthening relationships, expanding programs, and deepening community impact.

Our eBook outlines steps to simplify workflows, automate repetitive tasks, and centralize data so your team has the capacity to focus on high-impact work. These steps aren’t just about efficiency—they’re about equipping your nonprofit to adapt, innovate, and scale in ways that support your mission.

How purpose-driven efficiency drives nonprofit teams’ impact and prevents burnout

Efficiency doesn’t just save time—it helps to create more meaningful work. When you cut back on repetitive tasks, you give your staff the chance to focus on what really drives your mission. This shift can boost morale, keep your team engaged, and strengthen the trust you’ve built with donors.

Take the Mara Elephant Project. With just two employees managing a $3 million organization, the team felt overwhelmed by manual tasks like donor acknowledgements. After automating these processes with Bloomerang, they freed up time for mission-critical work and saw recurring donor revenue grow by 30% in a year.

Efficiency also helps reduce burnout by reconnecting teams with the purpose behind their work. When you free staff from repetitive tasks, they have the energy to focus on meaningful activities that inspire and motivate them. This isn’t just about productivity—it’s about creating an environment where your team feels valued, supported by you, and connected to your mission.

These operational changes make work easier—and ensure your team has the energy and focus to do what they do best. And when your team feels supported, donors and volunteers see that energy reflected in their interactions with your organization, building trust and loyalty.

Purpose-driven efficiency as a leadership mindset

Purpose-driven efficiency isn’t just an operational tactic—it’s a leadership mindset. Streamlining workflows and building intentional systems can help your nonprofit adapt to challenges, scale your impact, and strengthen relationships with donors, volunteers, and staff.

It also opens the door to innovation. When your team isn’t tied down with repetitive work, they can test new ideas, explore creative solutions, and find new ways to serve their communities. Purpose-driven efficiency creates the capacity for bold thinking—helping you move beyond reactive problem-solving to proactive strategies that amplify your mission.

Efficiency as a leadership strategy also signals trustworthiness to your supporters. Donors see that your organization is intentional and capable of maximizing their contributions. Volunteers recognize the value of their time, and staff are energized by a clear connection between their day-to-day work and your mission’s broader goals.

Ready to transform your nonprofit?

Purpose-driven efficiency is about more than saving time—it’s a powerful tool for creating meaningful change. When it’s purpose-driven, efficiency becomes a catalyst for innovation, trust, and growth. It enables your team to do more than just keep up—it empowers them to lead boldly, adapt to new challenges, and deepen their impact.

Think of it this way: every process you streamline, and every barrier you remove is an investment in your mission. You gain time for connecting with donors, create space for fresh ideas, and redirect energy toward building a stronger organization. Purpose-driven efficiency doesn’t just make things easier—it makes your nonprofit more resilient, adaptable, and prepared for the future.

The question isn’t whether your organization can become more efficient—it’s how purpose-driven efficiency can transform what’s possible.

The post Maximizing your nonprofit’s impact: why purpose-driven efficiency matters appeared first on Bloomerang.

Every member of your nonprofit team already knows how to build strong relationships with friends, co-workers, family members, significant others, and more. Magic happens when you build relationships with prospects and donors. This is where donor stewardship comes into play.

This guide covers everything you need to know to develop a powerful donor stewardship strategy that builds genuine, long-lasting relationships. We’ll cover:

• What is the donor stewardship process?
• How does donor stewardship impact donor retention?
• How to use the donor pyramid to facilitate stewardship
• 5 key steps in a donor stewardship strategy
• 8 best practices for enacting your donor stewardship plan
• How Bloomerang supports donor stewardship

A solid donor stewardship plan ensures your donors feel seen and appreciated, setting your organization up for long-term fundraising success.

The post Donor stewardship: key tips to build relationships appeared first on Bloomerang.

To get answers, we surveyed 1,000+ donors and over 380 fundraisers to uncover what truly drives donor loyalty—and what’s getting in the way. The results reveal a critical truth: connection is everything, but fundraisers are short on time, tools, and support to make it happen.

Check out the insights below to discover how nonprofits can bridge this gap—through better strategies, stronger relationships, and technology that works for them, not against them.

The message is clear: Retention grows when fundraisers focus on connection, consistency, and systems that ease their workload. Donors don’t just want to feel appreciated—they want to see their impact and feel like part of something bigger. You can download the full infographic here.

The full Mission: Retainable report, launching in February, lays out actionable strategies to help nonprofits build stronger donor relationships in 2025. Until then, the next steps are in front of you: focus on meaningful communication, segment your outreach, and let the right tools save you time so you can focus on what matters most—your mission.

Discover 10 donor retention strategies for 2025 to keep your donors close and connected to your cause.

The post What Donors Want, What Fundraisers Need appeared first on Bloomerang.

In today’s Connection Economy, how does a membership program survive and thrive when there is so much competition for time and attention? The answer lies in the caring, generous humans who join causes and organizations that say something about themselves.

In this discussion, we’ll look a how membership programs can create a loyal community, give people a sense of belonging, provide predictable revenue, and foster deeper engagement with your supporters. Learn from real-world examples and expert insights on structuring membership tiers, offering exclusive benefits, and utilizing technology for seamless management of your membership program.

Learning Objectives:

• List the key elements of a membership program and how they foster engagement and community with supporters
• Develop a basic plan tailored to their organization’s needs and experiences that maximize membership engagement
• Analyze the effectiveness of their program and apply key performance indicators of success and involvement

Check out the slides from this webinar here

The post Identity, Affinity, and Access: The Makings of Membership appeared first on Bloomerang.

Maybe you’re afraid you’ll offend them by sending too many emails. Perhaps you’re worried about the response to a photo or language you used in your appeals.

The important thing is to be prepared to respond to your donors’ feelings. That’s what I’ll address in this blog post.

What do you do if you upset a donor?

Let’s say you had a mail merge snafu that messed up your donors’ names and addresses. This just happened to one of my favorite fundraising professionals. Initially, she was so embarrassed that she was physically ill. However, she didn’t let that stop her from rectifying the situation immediately.

First, she quickly acknowledged the mistake in a personal follow-up email and postcard. She apologized, explained that this was a simple error, and reassured donors that their data was safe.

She also wisely tied in a note of gratitude. She reminded them that their donations are keeping the nonprofit’s constituents safe too.

Because she was open about the mistake, donors responded with empathy and understanding. Many promptly mailed in their checks using the reply device, while others gave online. Several called her just to commiserate. She formed new friendships and deepened existing ones.

In some ways, you’re right to worry—because we all make mistakes. The good news is that you can address some of those mistakes quickly without suffering lasting consequences.

So, what happens when you do offend a donor? Here are some basic steps to follow:

1. Apologize for the mistake as soon as you notice it.
2. Take responsibility, explain why it happened, and explain how you’ll work to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
3. Be vulnerable. People will empathize with you.
4. Include a note of gratitude.

Now, what do you do if you have a donor who is upset about something that isn’t a mistake or one who is having a disproportionate reaction to what happened?

One of the hallmarks of being a good steward to your donors is caring about what they care about. If it’s important to them, you can choose to make it important to you and by doing so you can hopefully diffuse any further upset.

Fundraising research by world-renowned author and philanthropic academic Adrian Sargeant shows that just listening to a complaint from a donor—even if the organization is powerless to do anything to resolve it—will result in the donor becoming more loyal than if you hadn’t listened to the complaint in the first place.

What if you have a disgruntled donor who is upset about something that you aren’t willing to change?

I once found myself in this situation. A donor who refused to allocate their funds to help any child who wasn’t suffering financial hardship. Our mission was to empower girls in math, science, engineering, and technology. We knew that all girls—regardless of their family’s income—were at risk for losing interest in these subjects. We also felt strongly that having girls from diverse backgrounds, including economic ones, was a positive experience.

What did we do? We respectfully thanked the donor for their kindness and generosity, explained our perspective, and declined the gift. Almost immediately the donor decided to remove their restriction and make the gift to us.

In life, we have to pick our battles. While some hills are not worth dying on, most relationships are worth saving. Everything you need to know about comforting a disgruntled donor you likely already know from being a good friend or coworker.

If you’re one of those fundraisers who was worried about this, I hope this blog post eased your mind a bit!

The post How To Handle A Disgruntled Donor appeared first on Bloomerang.