Hi! Thanks for the question. We didn’t ask in our survey about donor reporting, but that would be interesting. Are you looking for methods that work best to increase retention rates? Increase future donations? Build connections with donors? All of the above?
I recently started a position in Development for a long-standing nonprofit that primarily serves K-12 students attending underserved and low-income schools, providing marine science education. We’d like to reach more individual donors, but I’m wondering how many people with disposable income to give nonprofits, but without kids of their own, donate to organizations that primarily serve schools and school children? This organization is in the Bay Area with lots of wealthy techies. With all the school classes we serve we don’t have mailing addresses to which we can send donor appeals to the parents/families of all those school children Since most are low income families they don’t have money to spare. So – how do we reach the people who care that we’re serving those kids – and care enough to donate?
Denise: Thanks for your question. The survey doesn’t answer that question directly, but here’s my advice: start by interviewing your current donors. How did they find out about you? Why do they give? What do they appreciate about the work you are doing? Use that information to build on your existing strengths and find new donors (and maybe upgrade a few that you already have!).
Well researched, well done! I like that you love data and that you write with good use of data - thank you. The potential you uncovered for recurring giving is true. I would add that it’s an area that can be cultivated as a sustainable source of revenue for all not-for-profits provided the NFP has a consistent and reliable system to engage the recurring donors, once acquired.
i would to be funded for my project based towards community transformation,currently existing programmes include orphans and widow care and support,community development projects focus for positive change.im ready to provide evidence for my projects.therefore im ready to cooperate with anyone who is wiling to fund in terms of materils support and $ for establisment.please feel free to patner.thanx for your cooperation.
COMMENTS
BY Ann Hazel Javier
ON October 15, 2014 06:36 PM
Hi Heather, am interested to know the mechanism for reporting back to individual donors. What works best?
BY Heather Yandow
ON October 16, 2014 02:12 PM
Hi! Thanks for the question. We didn’t ask in our survey about donor reporting, but that would be interesting. Are you looking for methods that work best to increase retention rates? Increase future donations? Build connections with donors? All of the above?
BY Denise Brennan
ON October 17, 2014 09:56 AM
I recently started a position in Development for a long-standing nonprofit that primarily serves K-12 students attending underserved and low-income schools, providing marine science education. We’d like to reach more individual donors, but I’m wondering how many people with disposable income to give nonprofits, but without kids of their own, donate to organizations that primarily serve schools and school children? This organization is in the Bay Area with lots of wealthy techies. With all the school classes we serve we don’t have mailing addresses to which we can send donor appeals to the parents/families of all those school children Since most are low income families they don’t have money to spare. So – how do we reach the people who care that we’re serving those kids – and care enough to donate?
BY Heather Yandow
ON October 20, 2014 08:10 AM
Denise: Thanks for your question. The survey doesn’t answer that question directly, but here’s my advice: start by interviewing your current donors. How did they find out about you? Why do they give? What do they appreciate about the work you are doing? Use that information to build on your existing strengths and find new donors (and maybe upgrade a few that you already have!).
BY Anushka Perera
ON October 20, 2014 10:49 AM
Well researched, well done! I like that you love data and that you write with good use of data - thank you. The potential you uncovered for recurring giving is true. I would add that it’s an area that can be cultivated as a sustainable source of revenue for all not-for-profits provided the NFP has a consistent and reliable system to engage the recurring donors, once acquired.
BY Rhiannon O'Leary
ON November 9, 2015 11:20 AM
Hi! This is a great article. I’m eager to see this same analysis for a $8 million organization. Do you know if that exists?
BY Heather Yandow
ON November 10, 2015 04:27 AM
Thanks, Rhiannon! I haven’t not seen an analysis quite like this for larger organizations, but you may be interested in Giving USA (http://givingusa.org/) or Blackbaud’s Charitable Giving Report (https://www.blackbaud.com/nonprofit-resources/charitablegiving).
BY RASHID ABDALLA MATAMU
ON December 2, 2016 04:50 AM
i would to be funded for my project based towards community transformation,currently existing programmes include orphans and widow care and support,community development projects focus for positive change.im ready to provide evidence for my projects.therefore im ready to cooperate with anyone who is wiling to fund in terms of materils support and $ for establisment.please feel free to patner.thanx for your cooperation.
BY Melissa Hellerud-Storie
ON December 27, 2019 02:32 PM
I have recently become the Executive Director for an organization with ZERO donors…any ideas on where to start!? lol