How to Build a Robust Donor Database

Option 1: Use Your Thank You Page as a Data Collection Point On your website, your thank you page can be an unbelievably valuable asset if used correctly. After all, your donor feels great about the commitment they’ve just made and is more likely to continue giving—this time, in the form of information.

The best way to ensure that your team is organizing its donor data effectively is to build unique donor profiles for each of your constituents….2. Maintain clean donor profiles.

1. Their giving history.
2. Their biographical data.
3. Their contact information.
4. Their engagement history.
5. Their wealth information.

1. Choose a Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) Program. Your donor database is only as strong as the CRM program you use to manage it.
2. Create Donor Profiles. Once you’ve chosen your software, it’s time to start gathering information on your donors.
3. Standardize Data Entry.

Sample Donor Survey Questions

1. Why Do You Give to Us?
2. How Do You Prefer to Donate?
3. How Much of an Impact Do You Feel Your Gift Has?
4. What Other Causes Do You Support?
5. What Part of Our Mission Appeals to You the Most?
6. How Would You Rate Your Donation Experience?
7. Do You Have Any Questions or Concerns About Our Organization?

It’s not a surprise for us to see survey responses well above 10%. Ideally your survey takes fewer than five minutes to complete – it should be nice and short, easy to fill out. You want to let your audience know up front how long that survey will take.

How to Improve Your Engagement With Major Donors

1. 1) Use your existing network to find new major donors.
2. 2) Research them before your ask them to give.
3. 3) Give them options.
4. 4) Let them help with challenges.
5. 5) Provide them with the results of their impact.
6. 6) Appeal to their business side.

I’m writing to you to ask you to support me and my [cause/project/etc.]. Just a small donation of [amount] can help me [accomplish task/reach a goal/etc.] Your donation will go toward [describe exactly what the contribution will be used for]. [When possible, add a personal connection to tie the donor to the cause.

There are three basic types of donor upgrade asks that you can make:

1. Low-Dollar / Mass Upgrades.
2. Mid-Level / Data-Driven Upgrades.
3. Major Donor Upgrades.
4. #1 – Thank the Donor for Their Past Support.
5. #2 – Show Your Organization’s Positive Outcomes.
6. #3 – Explain the Need.
7. #4 – Ask the Donor to Upgrade.

Example of a Fundraising Letter Asking for Online Donations Dear [Donor’s Name], My name is [your name] and I am [describe your position/situation/background]. My organization launched our [name of online fundraiser] today. Our goal is to reach [amount] to [project, event, cause you’re raising money for].

Writing an Effective Fundraising Page

1. State the purpose – Describe the campaign or non-profit clearly and note what action you want the reader to take.
2. Make it personal – Write to your personality and fill it with passion.
3. Show your gratitude – Show people that you appreciate their support.

How to Get Celebrities to Donate Money for Your Charity Go directly to the main headquarters of the cause you represent. Ask for the charity’s public relations arm. Make your request for a celebrity donation. As a bonus, your contact may be able to get donations from more than one celebrity.

Getting Started

1. Create a bold subject line.
2. Make the ask near the beginning.
3. Explain and describe why you’re asking for a donation.
4. Include links to your online donation page and contact info for donors who want to give by mail or phone.
5. Say thank you in advance.

Countless for-profit companies donate to nonprofit organizations every day.

• National or Global Donation Opportunities for Nonprofits. Adobe. Amazon Web Services. American Electric Power. Athleta. Bank of America.
• Region-Specific Donation Opportunities for Nonprofits. AEO Foundation. Alaska Airlines. Albertson’s. American Airlines.

Whether you’re asking for monetary donations, volunteer time, or in-kind donations, our tips can help guide you toward fundraising success.

1. Determine which companies you should ask.
2. Find a point of contact.
3. Think about what you can offer in return.
4. Make the ask!
5. Follow up.
6. Say “thank you“
7. How to cultivate companies.

For times like #GivingTuesday, you can use Facebook and other social media platforms to request donations directly. A better method is to add a donation tab to your page. Encourage your followers to hold fundraisers for your charity on their birthdays.

In general best practices says that the best day to send an email is Tuesday (followed by Thursday and Wednesday), and that the best time of the day is in the late morning, at around 10 am.

Thank you for your generous gift to [name of organization]. We are thrilled to have your support. Through your donation we have been able to accomplish [goal] and continue working towards [purpose of organization]. You truly make the difference for us, and we are extremely grateful!

These steps include:

1. Address your recipient personally. By addressing your recipient by name, they won’t feel like they are just one of many reading this letter.
2. Tell a story.
3. Define the problem.
4. Explain your mission and outline your goal.
5. Explain how your donor can make an impact.
6. Call the reader to action.