There's something you might be doing that's alienating many of your donors. You might not even notice that you're doing it.
Michael Rosen Says that harmful thing you're doing is putting a strong public emphasis on the heroic giving of your very top donors: Want More Donors and More Money?
Public thanking of your high-end donors can have a hidden downside:
When people see that only mega-donors are celebrated, they can begin to think that their support is unnecessary and not genuinely appreciated
Here's what to do instead:
- Thank mega-donors, but not to the exclusion of others.
- Recognize a broad mix of supporters.
- Communicate that all gifts are important and explain why.
- Tell prospects and donors how their gift will make a difference.
- Take a few moments to list the ways your organization shows prospects and donors that it truly cares about and values them. Then, list 10 things your organization can do to show it cares, but that it is not yet doing.
Every donor needs to know her giving makes a difference and is appreciated. Don't accidentally tell her that her involvement is small potatoes for your organization.