Hi Reader,

Would you continue giving to an organization that never engages with you?

Imagine it.

You made a gift to an organization you’ve followed for a while now.

You receive a generic thank-you email.

Even a nice card.

And that’s it.

You never receive any updates.

You never read stories.

You have no idea if your donation made a difference or what happened next.

I worked for an organization like that before.

Leadership focused on major donors—the huge gifts, ‘valuable’ relationships.

Recurring and annual donors? Not so much. Of course, we were grateful, but we never knew how to show it back then.

And over time, our lack of follow-up led to unhappy donors.

Since then, I’ve learned that it’s about what happens in between and making sure every donor, no matter the size of their gift, feels like they’re part of something bigger than themselves.

In today’s edition of the Social Profit Stack, we'll explore how fundraising isn’t just about the ask. It’s what happens after the gift that matters most. Tall order? Yep! Worth it? I’ll let you answer that.
​

Stewardship At Its Core

Donor stewardship continues to be the most essential part of the fundraising cycle.

It's more than generosity. It's the best way to ensure you build meaningful connections and trust with your donors.

At its core, donor stewardship equals gratitude and respect toward those who support your mission.

It’s WAY more than one thank-you note.​
​

Avoid the Pitfalls

Despite best intentions, several missteps can dampen the stewardship process.

That generic, one-size-fits-all approach can alienate donors, failing to share a genuine appreciation that helps them feel integral to the cause.

Only reaching out during fundraising initiatives might make your donor feel like your personal bank machine rather than one built on ongoing engagement.

Stewardship strengthens the relationships you’ve worked hard for and creates a partnership with your donors.
​

Implement a Simple Strategy

A simple yet impactful strategy involves a three-step process:

1. Set up your CRM to automatically send a personalized thank-you email immediately after their donation. Ensure it’s not only a receipt but also offers appreciation and the difference their contribution will make.
2. Regularly update donors via email newsletters, social media, and personalized updates. Invite them to share success stories and offer feedback. The goal is to make them feel part of the journey.
3. Showcase the impact of their donation through stories, statistics, and real-life examples.

When you recognize your donor’s role in driving change and how their continued support can lead to better outcomes, you can share these stories on your website and distribute a link in your social media posts and emails.
​

Stewardship = Your Shining Star

The shining star of donor stewardship lies in creating relationships that extend past the transactional aspect of giving.

When donors feel like they are a part of the organization’s mission, they can easily see that you’re doing what you said you would with their donation.

It’s how you build trust, turning a one-time donor into a lifetime supporter.

That turns “just a gift” into “I believe in what you’re doing.”

It grows on what happens next.

Ready to transform your stewardship strategy? Let's chat! Hit reply or set up your first free meeting with me.

Link 💜

Ever wonder how some nonprofits seem to be able to do it all? Their solution? A CRM (Customer Relationship Management system). Bloomerang and Kindful have created this article to help you compare new systems that improve donor relationships.

So much of what we do daily requires some form of data analysis. Let formula bot help you make it easier, faster, and smarter using a little dose of AI.

I’ve never had more fun using a new tool like Gamma. If you’re in charge of creating websites or presentation decks, you need this tool. You can easily add the information, and it will make the deck for you.