How To Determine When To Engage With Non-Profit Donors

We all know that donations from generous individuals help sustain the mission of non-profit organizations. Throughout the year you find yourself promoting your non-profit through numerous emails, phone calls, social media posts, and more to receive donations. Once you’ve attracted a donor and received donations, when is the perfect time to follow up with them?

Today, we will answer the questions you’ve always had and will learn more about how to determine when to engage with donors.

How To Determine When To Engage With Non-Profit Donors

First-time and recurring donors want to know that you appreciate their contribution to your non-profit. While “thank you” goes a long way, there is a strategy that should go behind when to say it. Here is some insight on the best time to engage with your donors.

Prepare to Engage

As always, preparation is key to anything. Before you engage with a donor, it is essential to have a way to receive, track, and manage their information so you can maintain a positive donor relationship to foster continuous support.

Create a Donor Management System. This is a database where you will store all donor and gift information such as the date and time of the donation, the donor’s name, address and zip code. You can refer back to this information as needed to help customize donor communications in the future which will lead to recurring contributions.

Tip: Save this documentation and upload to a secure drive online. Once you create this database you will not want to lose it...trust me!

Same Day [Online Donation]

Express your gratitude immediately. 

When receiving an online donation, it is best to share your appreciation with a follow-up page as soon as the donor has finished the transaction.

The Following Day

Be sure to thank your donors for their contributions in a brief, yet compelling, email by the following day.

A great way to utilize your donor management system is to initiate this email after the donor's first gift automatically. Feel free to mention the campaign or project that their contribution will be supporting and attach a receipt for their records.

Note: This email should be sent from the director of the organization or a very well-known staff member that does well with maintaining donor relationships.

Within Four to Seven Business Days

An extra “thank you” never hurt, right? After a few days have passed, reinforce your gratitude with a heartfelt follow-up. This can be done via email or by letter. Take time to reiterate your appreciation and welcome them to your support team. Sharing an impactful story is always a plus!

Engaging with your donors is simple, easy, and rewarding! With so many ways to encourage giving, ExpressTaxExempt and our sister product TaxBandits are here to empower your nonprofit and be a helping hand with your nonprofit tax filing needs. You are in the business of helping others, now let us help you! Create a free account today and get back to making a difference in your community.

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The Best Way To Encourage Online Giving

As a charitable nonprofit you rely on the support and generosity of donors for some or all your funding. While some of you are still using traditional giving methods, online giving has become the “new norm.” Here is the best way to encourage online giving.

Transitioning from traditional to online fundraising is simpler than you might think; plus it will increase your donor base from just your local community to national.

How To Create Online Fundraising Your Donors Will Love

Implement Online Giving

We spend hours on our cell phones or tablets each day, so it is safe to say technology reigns supreme. If you are not already using online fundraising, you are missing out on a major opportunity. 

As a nonprofit organization, it is critical to invest in simple online giving methods. Consider having a mobile version of your website created and utilize easy online donation programs such as PayPal, Square [Cash App is great too!], Givelify, etc. 

Keep Your Donation Form Short

Let’s be honest; no one wants to spend half an hour trying to donate to your organization. Simplify your donation form and eliminate unnecessary fields.

Typically donors will only briefly scan your donation forms before deciding to give. If your form appears long, extensive, and complex, you may be losing out on potential donors.

Test your platform. Ask a friend or third party to complete the form themselves to see what they found confusing, time-consuming, and flat out annoying. You have seen your donation form a million times, and you understand all the information asked. However, having someone unfamiliar with your donation process will gain a better understanding of what the average donor sees. 

Easy Access To Online Donation Form 

The easier it is to access, the easier it is for people to donate. 

Accessing your organization’s online donation platform should be a piece of cake for potential donors. If they have to go on a scavenger hunt to find a way to donate, they will likely give up in pursuit.

Large, colorful and clear “DONATE” buttons are always the way to go. Consider having a donate button at the top and bottom of your website or page, but do not go overboard with the donate buttons. The last thing you want to do is harass your potential donors and readers for an online donation.

Close With A Strong Call To Action (CTA)

Now that you have driven potential donors to your organization and informed them of the great things you do in your community, prompt them to donate.

This can be done through a “Donate Now” button or link that instruct donors on how they can make a difference such as, “Help Us Make A Difference In Your Community!”

Believe it or not, there are thousands of people that are looking for a charitable cause to donate to each year. Utilize these tips to attract potential donors and maintain your much-needed donor base. Once you have received donations be sure to keep accurate records so you can accurately file your 990 Form with ExpressTaxExempt at the close of your organization’s tax year.  

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