Cultivate donors

Preparing for Donor Cultivation

Engagement Strategies

Relationship Building

  • Coordinate schedules with major donors to find a mutually convenient time for a face-to-face meeting.
  • Prepare an agenda for the meeting to ensure that all relevant topics and questions are addressed.
  • During the meeting, actively listen to the donor's aspirations and motivations for giving.
  • Take notes during the meeting to record important details and follow-up actions.
  • Identify staff members or volunteers who have the necessary knowledge and rapport to serve as dedicated points of contact.
  • Clearly communicate the role and responsibilities of the point of contact to both the donor and the staff member/volunteer.
  • Regularly check in with the point of contact to ensure they are effectively supporting the donor's needs.
  • Encourage the point of contact to maintain open lines of communication and build a strong relationship with the donor.
  • Gather publicly available information about the donor from sources like social media, news articles, and organization records.
  • Analyze the collected information to identify the donor's personal interests, values, and previous philanthropic activities.
  • Use the insights gained from the research to customize cultivation strategies and communication with the donor.
  • Regularly update the donor's profile with any new information or changes in their interests and preferences.
  • Identify suitable beneficiaries or program participants who can effectively share their experiences with donors.
  • Arrange opportunities for donors to interact with beneficiaries, such as site visits, events, or virtual meetings.
  • Prepare beneficiaries to articulate the impact of the organization's work and provide them with relevant talking points.
  • Follow up with donors after the interaction to collect feedback and further discuss the organization's impact.
  • Design and distribute surveys to donors to gather feedback on their experiences, satisfaction, and suggestions for improvement.
  • Organize focus groups with select donors to facilitate in-depth discussions and gather qualitative feedback.
  • Schedule one-on-one conversations with donors to provide a personalized space for them to express their opinions and preferences.
  • Analyze the collected feedback to identify common themes and areas for improvement in donor relations.
  • Plan and organize special events, such as appreciation dinners, receptions, or exclusive tours, specifically for donors.
  • During the event, express gratitude to the donors for their support and acknowledge their contributions.
  • Provide updates on the organization's progress, achievements, and future plans to keep donors engaged and informed.
  • Collect feedback from donors after the event to assess their satisfaction and gather suggestions for future events.
  • Identify suitable donor candidates who have the expertise, influence, and passion to contribute to advisory boards or committees.
  • Extend personalized invitations to selected donors, clearly outlining the responsibilities and benefits of joining.
  • Provide orientation and onboarding for new advisory board or committee members to familiarize them with their roles and the organization.
  • Regularly communicate and collaborate with advisory board or committee members to ensure their active involvement.
  • Identify volunteer opportunities within the organization that align with donors' interests and skills.
  • Reach out to donors to inform them about the available volunteer opportunities and explain how their involvement can make a difference.
  • Ensure that the volunteer experience is well-structured, impactful, and provides a sense of fulfillment for the donors.
  • Recognize and appreciate donors' volunteer contributions to reinforce their connection to the organization.
  • Organize virtual fundraisers, donor drives, or galas to mobilize support and raise funds for the organization.
  • Extend invitations to donors to participate in these special fundraising activities, emphasizing their importance in achieving the organization's goals.
  • Provide clear instructions and guidelines for donors to participate effectively and contribute to the fundraising efforts.
  • Acknowledge and celebrate donors' contributions to the fundraising activities to foster a sense of appreciation and accomplishment.

Donor Recognition

Evaluation and Follow-up