Fundraising Rah! Rah! Rah!

Turn Your Donors into Your Cheerleaders

Believing leads to belonging, and your donors are some of the best cheerleaders for your cause or fundraising campaign. Think of them as your core external team, an extension of your development office.

What are you doing to coach your champion team of donors to herald the news of your fundraising campaign to the masses?

When you show them some support, they’ll return the favor in the form of feedback—comments on potential donors, IDs for people capable of making leadership gifts, or individuals itching to make a difference.

It’s time to rally your cheerleaders with these tactics from the winning playbook:

Teach ‘Em

Donors can’t learn more about you unless you communicate your mission and vision to them. Keep your donors up-to-date with what’s happening with your campaign or development initiative and share news with excitement! Publications, e-newsletters, Facebook, videos, reports, brochures, you name it…they’re great ways to share information.

Regardless of your method, consider using different materials for new donors, who are getting to know you and need more information about you, and recurring donors, who might like to learn more about long-term projects and ways to volunteer.

Equip ‘Em

In addition to all the info sources we pointed out above, put all your great development swag in their hands, too. And we’re not just talking about printed materials, either.

Tools like Network for Good’s DonateNow makes social sharing a cinch. Donors can share the love for your organization with a Facebook update or a tweet right after they donate.

Love on ‘Em

It’s important to thank each person who has given a gift to your campaign. Those personal, handwritten notes cannot be underestimated. Donors who believe that their gifts are appreciated (every time they make one!) are more likely to continue giving than those who received personal attention one time but not for successive gifts.

Also arm your board members with notecards when they have a one-on-one convo with a potential donor (heck, even offer to drop the cards in the mail for them).

A little love goes a long way.