iMarketSmart

MARCH 19, 2025

Why do so many major gift fundraisers struggle to connect with donors and motivate them to give? But one of the reasons is that too many fundraisers approach their outreach to donors from the perspective of the organization when they would be much more effective approaching it from the perspective of the donor.

Fundraising 59

Fundraising Fundraising Donor Motivation Values 59

Marketing for the Modern Nonprofit

JULY 2, 2025

In a time when short-term fundraising feels relentless, planned giving offers something rare: stability. Instead, it’s about building genuine relationships, understanding donor motivations and correctly focusing your program.

Donor Motivation 59

Donor Motivation Recruitment Nonprofits Communication 59

iMarketSmart

JANUARY 29, 2025

But while automated donor journeys can seem like the modern solution to fundraising challenges, they often fail to account for what really matters: the donor. The Appeal of Donor Journeys Its easy to see why donor journeys are so popular. For overworked fundraisers, journeys promise efficiency and scalability.

Participation and motivation 59

Participation and motivation Values Donor Motivation Technology 59

Nonprofit Tech for Good

AUGUST 14, 2022

When time and resources are scarce, it’s easier to send out the same fundraising message to everyone in your community. Understanding the donor’s motivations can help a nonprofit develop motivating messaging, use the right fundraising methods, and segment their supporter list to target those who are most likely to give.

Psychology 121

Psychology Donor Motivation Philanthropy Nonprofits 121

Nonprofit Marketing Guide

OCTOBER 12, 2022

When it comes to fundraising, we often strive to use storytelling and tugging of heartstrings to appeal to potential donors. Research conducted on effective marketing tactics and donor psychology are extremely beneficial to crafting communications that engage donors. But there is a science behind doing this well.

Voluntary Action 144

Voluntary Action Public and Nonprofit Management Universities Psychology 144

iMarketSmart

APRIL 30, 2025

Should you treat your mass market, mid-level, and major donors all the same? A study called A Better Way asked nonprofit leaders and staff a number of questions about fundraising, leadership, and communication. 51% felt they should ask for money less often from mid-level donors. Donors give because they want to help.

Retention 52

Retention Collaborations Nonprofits Values 52

Get Fully Funded

OCTOBER 3, 2022

It’s time to plan for the most productive time of the year – Year End Fundraising Season! Those of us in the world of nonprofit fundraising are starting to think about how to best leverage the next four months. Get Ready Now For Year End Fundraising So, what does it take to make this your best year end fundraising season ever?

Fundraising 80

Fundraising Fundraising Homelessness Donor Motivation 80

The Agitator

FEBRUARY 6, 2013

Almost every direct response fundraiser who can count eventually comes to the realization that reliance on premiums to boost short-term acquisition response rates is a long-term prescription for poor retention and lousy lifetime value. A post I consider ‘must’ reading for any fundraiser using or contemplating the use of premiums.

Retention 100

Retention Donor Motivation Values Nonprofits 100

Fundraising Coach

MARCH 15, 2021

Most fundraising professionals know that having good information is the secret to increased revenue, stronger relationships, and more successful appeals. By analyzing the donor data you have available, you can learn volumes about donor motivation and behavior, then use this information to guide your fundraising approach.

Fundraising 76

Fundraising Fundraising Retention Technology 76

Bloomerang

JUNE 6, 2024

Understanding what flips the switch for your members to transform them from participants to passionate donors is the key to boosting your fundraising efforts. So, a well-placed thank you or a shout-out can make all the difference in converting members to repeat donors. Social proof is a formidable force in philanthropy.

Psychology 105

Psychology Participation and motivation Retention Technology 105

Bloomerang

OCTOBER 11, 2024

Using data in your GivingTuesday planning isn’t just about boosting donations; it’s about turning nonprofit donor data strategies into meaningful connections with your supporters. Shaping personalized donor journeys with data Fundraising is not a one-size-fits-all process. Did certain segments outperform others?

Donor Motivation 111

Donor Motivation Communication Fundraising Fundraising 111

Bloomerang

DECEMBER 1, 2023

You know who’s probably not thinking about year-end fundraising at all? Your donors. Consider asking about: Donor experience: How’s it going? Donor motivation: Why do they support you? Did you run a peer-to-peer fundraiser on GivingTuesday ? When was the last time you told donors how it’s going?

Donor Motivation 114

Donor Motivation Foundations Fundraising Fundraising 114

Bloomerang

DECEMBER 19, 2023

Some donors can cost a great deal to acquire, and then only make one gift before lapsing. As fundraisers, we have a responsibility to raise money efficiently, investing our time and resources prudently. For example, it wouldn’t be efficient to try to reach a big fundraising goal by asking everyone to give a small amount.

Donor Motivation 105

Donor Motivation Foundations Fundraising Fundraising 105

iMarketSmart

MAY 7, 2025

For example, if a prospect says they want to keep getting communication from your nonprofit, but they arent interested in giving a major gift for a couple years, you can respect those wishes (and save yourself a lot of time and effort). Keep sending communication, but do NOT pester them for a meeting now. LIKE THIS BLOG POST?

Activism 52

Activism Nonprofits Ethics Values 52

Get Fully Funded

JANUARY 7, 2022

Volunteer programs often require fundraising campaigns to stay in operation. Depending on your organization’s activities, you may need fundraising to help fund your: Volunteer training opportunities. Start a merchandise fundraising campaign. Let’s take a closer look at each fundraising idea! Marketing materials.

Fundraising 64

Fundraising Fundraising Volunteerism Volunteerism 64

iMarketSmart

OCTOBER 4, 2024

How many organizations take the time to listen to current and potential donors to discover who or what about their organization or their communication speaks most compellingly to them without realizing there are significant variations in each donor and prospect community?

Donor Motivation 59

Donor Motivation Psychology Energy Philanthropy 59

Bloomerang

MAY 10, 2022

The foundation of an effective fundraising strategy is built on the relationships your team forms with the people who power your mission. Magic happens when you build those kinds of relationships with your prospects and donors. Create and send updates that communicate the impact they made. Create a communication cadence.

Participation and motivation 111

Participation and motivation Retention Public and Nonprofit Management Communication 111

The Agitator

OCTOBER 24, 2017

Earlier posts this week have touched on the issue of donor motivation. Is there a time when donors are especially ‘primed’ to give? Why and when is that and should your communications tactics change a bit? Why do some people give and others not … or significantly less?

Donor Motivation 58

Donor Motivation Communication Fundraising Fundraising 58

Nonprofit Marketing Blog

MAY 1, 2012

Did you know that the average participant in your fundraising races or walks recruits three to four donors for your cause? Their guide outlines a four-step process for identifying, engaging, qualifying, cultivating and converting event donors. Treat event donors the same say you would treat a friend of a friend.

Participation and motivation 71

Participation and motivation Donor Motivation Recruitment Communication 71

Bloomerang

MAY 9, 2021

Our team has studied the effectiveness of retaining donors rather than acquiring new ones, and that research guides our entire approach. Retention is the key to maximizing your fundraising strategy, and appreciation is at the root of that strategy. Ideas for Major Donors. Why Does Donor Appreciation Matter? .

Retention 135

Retention Activism Fundraising Fundraising 135

Bloomerang

MAY 9, 2021

Our team has studied the effectiveness of retaining donors rather than acquiring new ones, and that research guides our entire approach. Retention is the key to maximizing your fundraising strategy, and appreciation is at the root of that strategy. Ideas for Major Donors. Why Does Donor Appreciation Matter? .

Retention 135

Retention Activism Fundraising Fundraising 135

Nonprofit Marketing Blog

MAY 1, 2012

Did you know that the average participant in your fundraising races or walks recruits three to four donors for your cause? Their guide outlines a four-step process for identifying, engaging, qualifying, cultivating and converting event donors. Treat event donors the same say you would treat a friend of a friend.

Participation and motivation 71

Participation and motivation Donor Motivation Recruitment Communication 71

The NonProfit Times

OCTOBER 7, 2024

Donors to Section 501(c)(4) organizations are also generally afforded more privacy and are not required to be disclosed on the annual tax return of the social sponsor (IRS Form 990, Schedule B). For many reasons, particularly for donors motivated to fund advocacy work, donations to a social sponsor may be an attractive option.

Nonprofit Administration and Development 59

Nonprofit Administration and Development Homelessness Fundraising Fundraising 59

Fundraising Coach

MARCH 15, 2021

Most fundraising professionals know that having good information is the secret to increased revenue, stronger relationships, and more successful appeals. By analyzing the donor data you have available, you can learn volumes about donor motivation and behavior, then use this information to guide your fundraising approach.

Fundraising 52

Fundraising Fundraising Retention Technology 52

The Agitator

MARCH 5, 2018

When it comes to donor-centricity/obsession/love/devotion/passion I fear many fundraisers talk a good game while ignoring the fundamental and routine practices that should exist in any organization that truly cares about its donors.

Participation and motivation 63

Participation and motivation Retention Donor Motivation Leadership 63

Nonprofit Megaphone

APRIL 17, 2023

For non-profit organizations, fundraising is a crucial aspect of their operations. However, getting donors to give is only half the battle. The real challenge lies in retaining those donors over the long-term and increasing their lifetime value. They also feel valued and part of your organization’s community.

Psychology 52

Psychology Retention Values Non-Profits 52

Nonprofit Megaphone

DECEMBER 4, 2021

Post written by OneCause , who is committed to helping cause-driven organizations amplify their message and raise more funds with easy-to-use fundraising solutions. They offer a full suite of solutions that powers online giving, event management, mobile bidding, and peer-to-peer fundraising for nonprofit organizations of all sizes.

Participation and motivation 52

Participation and motivation Donor Motivation Recruitment Fundraising 52

The Agitator

MAY 9, 2018

Part 1 of this series summarizes the reasons you should give serious attention to this “sleeping giant’ of fundraising programs. No matter how the donor joined—online, on the street, via the phone, through direct mail—this letter should include the following: Amount. Ask what types of communications he/she would like to receive.

Donor Motivation 49

Donor Motivation Retention Food Values 49

iMarketSmart

JANUARY 25, 2023

The biggest gifts, the most transformational gifts – these happen when a donor can see and feel how giving will advance their personal hero story. Thus, as a fundraiser, part of your job when interacting with a major donor prospect is to help the donor explore and understand their identity.

Values 52

Values Fundraising Fundraising Universities 52

iMarketSmart

APRIL 3, 2017

Your job as a facilitator (fundraiser) is to recognize that each supporter’s reason for giving is as unique as his or her fingerprints. Learning about their stories will help you understand why they care and what might motivate them to give. Related posts: >> eBook: Inside the Mind of a Planned Giving Donor. >>

Technology 51

Technology Donor Motivation Communication Fundraising 51

iMarketSmart

APRIL 9, 2025

But it helps to look at the process from this vantage point, because then you can focus your efforts on each component, develop your skills, and understand where each donor is in the process. One reason major gift fundraising is so challenging is because so many organizations and their staff skip the first step.

Donor Motivation 52

Donor Motivation Values Children Foundations 52

The Agitator

JANUARY 20, 2013

But elsewhere in the world, especially in the UK, we want to call your early attention to an extraordinary Fundraising Summit we hope will serve as a much-needed model elsewhere around the globe — Bishopsgate Institute, London. This is NOT another fundraising conference. Mark you calendar.

Participation and motivation 81

Participation and motivation Donor Motivation Management Culture 81

NextAfter

MAY 31, 2022

We did that on our donation page, and our donors say they love it.” “We Those phrases, although common to hear from fundraisers and marketers – don’t put the donor’s behaviors first. Over the past 10 years at NextAfter, we’ve conducted 3,500+ online fundraising experiments. We can’t do that – our board doesn’t like it.”.

Fundraising 52

Fundraising Fundraising Values Donor Motivation 52

iMarketSmart

JUNE 19, 2023

The fundraising game A charity can structure giving opportunities to allow heroic displays.[6] 6] A donor can be seen to sacrificially protect his people or values. Of course, these evolutionary theorists weren’t writing about major gifts fundraising. A simple example One fundraiser for a law school shared this story. “I

Altruism and Helping 52

Altruism and Helping Insurance Psychology Medical 52

iMarketSmart

APRIL 10, 2023

Socratic fundraising asks questions. Or donors don’t want to meet. Or there are too many donors to meet. Socratic fundraising can still work. The universal steps for a compelling donor experience are: Socratic fundraising guides the donor through these steps.[1] The donor can take ownership.

Psychology 52

Psychology Public and Social Policy Environmental Participation and motivation 52

Get Fully Funded

FEBRUARY 12, 2023

Understanding the psychology behind giving can help you understand the donor’s motivation, which will help you plan your next campaign, your next fundraising event, or your next face-to-face ask. You can design your marketing and fundraising materials to appeal to the right emotions. So, why do people give?

Altruism and Helping 132

Altruism and Helping Psychology Public and Nonprofit Management Participation and motivation 132