1. Engaging your donors and sponsors
Making them count

2. Background/context Association of fundraising professionals – join us!
Professional development
Networking
Job postings
Best practices
Current fundraising trends

3. Tip and tricks - agenda The future of fundraising – start inspiring
The donor(s)
The event(s)
Telling your story/marketing

4. The future of fundraising is here.
What does it look like
It’s not about our mission, it’s about the donor
It’s not about deadlines, it’s about strategy
The charity is not campaigning, we are
Donors know what they care about and what they want to achieve. We are here to help them get there
Life time value of a donor – this helps you to prioritize

5. The donor(s) What we know:
donors want to give – they want to make a difference and to know they have made an impact
They are giving to fewer charities
There is no such thing as the “public” – need to target our messages to specific audiences – diversity
Donors prioritize transparency
PEER-T0-PEER IS THE FASTEST GROWING FUNDRAISING METHOD
HOW MANY ACTIVE DONORS DO YOU HAVE IN YOUR AGENCY?
HOLD ON TO WHAT YOU HAVE – DEVELOPING RELATIONSHIPS ARE A MEASURE OF SUCCESS, NOT REVENUE
WHY DONORS STOP GIVING

6. THE DONOR(S) – 11 THINGS WE CAN DO
HAVE DONORS SEE THE WORK THEY ARE SUPPORTING
LETTERS, NOTES AND GRATITUDE CALLS (DO A COMBINATION OF ALL THREE)
CONGRATULATE DONORS WHO RECEIVE AN AWARD IN YOUR COMMUNITY
CREATE A GRATITUDE TEAM/DONOR THANK A THON
LEARN THE STORIES OF YOUR CLIENTS AND SHARE THEM WITH YOUR DONORS
CREATE A SUSTAINABLE FUNDING COMMMITTEE

7. THE DONOR(S) – 11 THINGS WE CAN DO
IF YOU HAVE AN ENEWSLETTER – SPEND MORE TIME ON THE SUBJECT LINE AND START WITH A MISSION DRIVEN STORY
GO AFTER THE DONORS WHO GIVE SMALL GIFTS - $10, $20, $50
DON’T SAY THANK YOU AND ASK AT THE SAME TIME – THE ASK OVER-POWERS EVERYTHING!
FOCUS THE BULk OF YOUR TIME ON RENEWAL
Your donors never tire of hearing how great they are and how needed they are and how wonderful they are – calendarize and prioritize doing that
Now…calculate donor retention - # of donors in current 12 months /# of donors in previous 12 months

8. The event(s) What we know:
WHY DO WE HAVE SPECIAL EVENTS – DIFFICULTY IN RECRUITING DONORS VIA OTHER CHANNELS; CHANCE TO MINGLE
WHAT ARE PEOPLE’S MOTIVES FOR COMING TO EVENTS?
SHIFT THE EXPERIENCE TO A TRANSFORMATION

9. THE EVENT(S) – 11 THINGS WE CAN DO
CHOOSE APPROPRIATE MINDSET – VIDEOS, SPEAKERS, SOCIAL MEDIA
MAKE TANGIBLE AND CONCRETE ASKS
REMIND PEOPLE ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE OF THE EVENT – SURVEYS/PICTURES
CREATE BOARD CHAMPIONS TO HOST THE EVENT
TAG DONORS ONLINE – KNOW WHO PEOPLE ARE
DON’T SHARE BUDGET NUMBERS – SHARE ASPIRATION NUMBERS
FOLLOW-UP!!!!

10. THE EVENT(S) – 11 THINGS WE CAN DO
8. BE CLEAR AND CALL IT WHAT IT IS – FUNDRAISING, NOT A DONOR RECOGNITION EVENT 9. Have donors share participate in their own recognition at events – have them share why they give to others 10. Connect your ceo/ed to the people at the event 11. An ask-pass – what does that mean following up with your top prospect

11. Telling your story What we know: What to do (or not do)
People who follow charities on social media have increased – need to provide timely updates on our work/use images
60% OF S READ ARE ON MOBILE DEVICES – ARE YOUR WEBSITES MOBILE FRIENDLY?
BRAND AWARENESS IS KEY
What to do (or not do)
DON’T OVERCOMMUNICATE WITH DONORS ELECTRONICALLY
Do donor prospect research – what is their relevant connection to our mission – create a 3-4 pager on each prospect
Involve clients and alumni to tell the story – potential volunteer opportunity
Make your communications faster – fewer words, better pictures

12. You are the facilitator of all the above!
CONCLUSION
How most nonprofits talk vs. how you should talk
Donor negligent vs. donor centric
YOU NEED SPOKESPEOPLE
YOUR BOARD MEMBERS – THANK YOU
BIG THINKING STRATEGY – Executive director
Designated programs/services – front line staff
You are the facilitator of all the above!
You are the wise sage!