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The Smart Annual Giving Connection Podcast Episode 1: Moves Management

I’m thrilled to announce the launch of the new podcast, The Smart Annual Giving Connection. Each episode will explore a common annual giving question or challenge and will often feature guest experts or in-the-trenches fundraisers who’ll share their wisdom and experience. Hope you enjoy our first episode!


Download Audio Here

Moves Management is a concept that sometimes feels out of reach for many small nonprofits. Yet it is a crucial element of a strong annual fundraising program. In this episode, we discuss what moves management actually is, why it is important, why it is often neglected and how small to mid-size nonprofits can get started implementing some basic moves management activities without becoming overwhelmed.

Add to your favorite podcast player using the feed URL:  https://smartannualgiving.com/podcast/feed/

The Smart Annual Giving Connection Podcast Episode 2: Donor Segmentation

Donor segmentation is an essential part of a healthy annual fundraising program and plays a key role in moves management. In this episode of the Smart Annual Giving Connection, we discuss why many nonprofits still pursue a one-size-fits-all approach rather than consciously and strategically managing their donors in small, logical groups. We explore the many different ways nonprofits might choose to segment their donors, how to prioritize segments, and share how your nonprofit can improve donor retention and loyalty through segmentation.

Add our podcast feed to your favorite podcast player using the feed URL:  https://smartannualgiving.com/podcast/feed/

 

Do your organizational and business donors need a unique approach?

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In my hometown, there is a popular locally owned gift shop. Instead of charging a fee to gift wrap purchases, the store asks their customers to donate a dollar or two to a specific charity.

For many years, one specific charity was the sole recipient of these funds (along with a tremendous amount of publicity).

When I went to this store to grab a birthday gift the other day, I was surprised to discover that a different charity was now the gift wrap money recipient. [Read more…]

Moves Management: Why small organizations need it, too.

When you’ve heard the term “moves management,” have you glossed right over it, dismissing it as something for large organizations to worry about?

If so, it is quite understandable, since the information on this subject is usually written from the context of a large organization or university with a huge development staff.

But small and mid-size organizations need to work on making this a part of their every day activities.

It doesn’t have to be complicated  process.  But it does require an investment of time, deep, proactive thinking, and a rock solid commitment to putting the plan into action. [Read more…]

What to do with Major Donors During your Year-end Campaign

During the planning phase for your annual campaign, don’t forget to take some time to consider how to incorporate your major donors in your year-end campaign.

First, have you defined a major gift for your organization?  For many smaller nonprofits major gifts are in the $500 – $1,000 range.   Decide what makes sense for your organization and how many you can manage.  But don’t forget to look at cumulative giving over the entire year.  For example, your monthly donor who gives $100 a month is just as valuable (or more so) as someone who made a one time gift of $1,200.

These are arguably your most important donors and need a higher level more personalized form of communication and solicitation.  They need to know that your organization knows who they are, and considers them valued partners.

Do you have board or staff members who can either call each of them or meet with them in person to discuss their annual gift?  Ideally, these people will have been carefully cultivated throughout the year, not just at solicitation time.  Strategies for this segment can easily fill a book or two (or three) of its own.  But, since we have to start where we are, at the very least do the following for your major gifts campaign:

  • Pull their names into a separate mailing list (excel spreadsheet).
  • Print their letters in house asking them to repeat the amount of their last gift.
  • Have the ED, Board members or program staff write a handwritten note on their letter thanking them for their partnership with the organization.
  • Mail with a first class stamp.
  • When a major donor responds with a gift of any size, notify the person who wrote the personalized note and have that person call the donor immediately to thank them for the gift.

If you can take it up a notch for these folks, by all means, do it.

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Have you Read These?

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Smart Annual Giving helps small nonprofits harness the power of a well-planned, well-resourced annual giving program.

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