The Barrow Gang

Creative Strategies for Bold Success

Donor Love UNLOCKED

Finding dedicated donors is hard, but keeping them is the most crucial job you have as a nonprofit. As we navigate the ebb and flow of donor retention, the challenge often lies in holding onto the uniqueness that brought them into the fold from the beginning. Fear not, for the art of personalized communication, especially through the meticulous segmentation of your donor list, holds the key to transforming fleeting interactions into lasting relationships.


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3 Steps to Boost Donor Retention


  1. By Frequency of Donation: Donors come in various cycles – one-time donors, annual donors, and steadfast recurring donors. Tailoring your communications to each group enhances engagement. Express gratitude to one-time donors, maintain contact with annual donors beyond solicitation periods, and provide recurring donors with in-depth updates, recognizing their potential as highly engaged volunteers.
  2. By Engagement Level: From silent benefactors to those involved through corporate matching programs and hands-on volunteers, recognizing different engagement levels allows for personalized communication. Invitations to events or volunteer opportunities might delight active supporters, whereas updates on the impact of their gifts might resonate more with those who contribute financially.
  3. By Donation Channel: Whether through events, social media, your website, or traditional mail, understanding where donors prefer to engage allows you to meet them on their terms. Tailoring communication to each platform increases message effectiveness and deepens connections, making the donation process as seamless as possible for your supporters.