Resolve to focus on new donor retention.

While overall donor retention will always be important, set a goal to retain 5% more of your new donors in 2022. Do this by engaging with your first-time donors via phone, video or some other creative way. Don’t hesitate to thank them and solicit them for a gift multiple times over the year. Remember, most first time donors expect lackluster donor recognition and acknowledgment from your organization. “Wow them” by doing the exact opposite and always ask them to give again.

Resolve to develop a one-page stewardship piece directed towards your Foundation and Corporate Supporters.

Foundation and Corporations are becoming increasingly challenging to cultivate and solicit, but they are not difficult to steward. Develop an easy “one pager” that highlights your top foundation\corporate supporters and the impact of their support. Send this to all foundations and corporate supporters in your database. Your current donors will appreciate the acknowledgment and your prospective foundation and corporate supporters will be inspired to join!

Resolve to invest in staff recognition.

Consider treating your staff to lunch, coffee, a movie, an ice cream social or some other unique and unplanned team building opportunity. There’s no way to deny that the last two years have been difficult and the feeling of burn out is very high within the non profit world. Regardless of what you decide to do, make it intentional and share what you did with your donors. Your supporters want to know that your staff is valued and committed to the work.

Resolve to find a thought partner.

There’s nothing better in life than having a best friend to process ideas and situations with. Find yourself a mentor or thought partner in your professional world to talk with about pressing ideas, long or short term strategy or just to vent. Mentors are invaluable and having someone to speak with will pay dividends. Whether you decide to do this formally or informally, make sure you have clear expectations set for both sides and goals for your interactions.

Resolve to develop and use consistent messaging across all marketing, communications and fundraising pieces.

Too often nonprofit organizations are so focused on getting their message or solicitation out that they fail to realize they’re off brand or off message. Consistency is key when communicating with your donors. Develop a case statement document that discusses what you do, why you do it, how you do it, why donors should support it and what you vision for the future is. Use the messaging developed in that piece consistently throughout the year in all publications, solicitations, press releases, etc.

Resolve to call five donors every week in February to say thank you.

Yes, give yourself the month of January to take a deep breath and allow your donors to do the same. But once February rolls around, have a list of 20 people you’re going to call over the month to say hello and thank you. Don’t worry about having a script or a strategy for each call. Just say thank you. Many organizations call donors in January to say thank you, and while that’s a good strategy, wait until February to make your call stand out.

About the Author

Michael J. Buckley, CFRE is a career fundraising professional and Founder and Managing Partner of The Killoe Group. His firm assists nonprofit organizations increase revenue, exposure and capacity through smart, data driven, successive decisions and effective planning. Mike’s experience and passion for the profession of fundraising have made him a sought-after speaker, consultant and presenter. The Killoe Group’s broad experiences include annual campaign audits and management, capital campaign leadership, feasibility studies, interim program leadership, board governance, strategic planning and capacity building.