Donor Cultivation: Strategies & Tips to Raise More!

Donor cultivation is a critical aspect of fundraising for nonprofit organizations. It involves building and nurturing relationships with potential donors, supporters, and major gifts contributors to secure sustainable financial support. Once prospective donors are identified, nonprofits employ moves management techniques to establish meaningful connections with them.

Find below our articles about Donor Cultivation best practices.

5 Ways to Attract Mega & Major Donors in 2023

Here’s the third in my series of state-of-the-art fundraising tips for the new year: How to draw mega donors closer to your cause. There’s new thinking out there about cultivating prospective major donors. And it centers on this: How…

5 Insanely Successful Ideas to Get The Appointment with a Major Gift Prospect

Donor Cultivation, Major Gift Fundraising

Is it hard to get the appointment with a major gift prospect? It’s can be a scary proposition. Nerve-wracking, even. It’s really the moment of truth, isn’t? Picking up the phone to ask for a visit can be quite scary. So is writing an…

7 Tips for an Amazing Donor Cultivation Tour

Board Members & Fundraising, Donor Cultivation, Events, Major Gift Fundraising

Planning a donor cultivation tour? Think twice! You don't want just any old “show and tell.” Nope. If you really want to nail this amazing cultivation opportunity, you need to be very careful about how your tour is set up and run. You…

Your Donor-Centered Appeal Letter Checklist

Donor Cultivation, Donor-Centered Fundraising

Congratulations! You want to create a real, live donor-centered appeal letter! Let's nail the proper tone and wording. This makes your donors happy. It engages and excites her about your work. And inclines her to be more generous. Clearly…

22 Power Questions to Ask Your Major Donor Prospects

Capital Campaign, Donor Cultivation, Major Gift Fundraising

Donor-Centered Moves Management: Systematic Cultivation for Your Major Gifts Prospects

Donor Cultivation, Major Gift Fundraising

If you want to manage your major gifts fundraising program, then use a moves management cultivation system. Moves management is a great tool for building those important relationships with top prospects over time. And we all know that…

How to Drive Major Donors Away and Kill Off Your Major Gifts Program

Asking for Donations, Donor Cultivation, Donor-Centered Fundraising, Major Gift Fundraising

Hint: Your donor says to you, "I'm not an ATM." Have you ever had the sense that your major gift prospects are fleeing from you? Do they turn down your invitations for events, tours, even private VIP get-togethers? Do they refuse to see…

How to Make Your Donors Happy With a Valentine!

Donor Cultivation, Fundraising Strategy

Valentine’s Day: it's time to show your donors some love! A charming, thoughtful Valentine can express your appreciation to your donors in a delightful way. After all, they are the generous wonderful people who are making your work possible. They…

5 Tips for Making Your Donors Love You

Annual Giving, Asking for Donations, Donor Cultivation, Fundraising Strategy, Marketing & Communications

Your donor has just sent in another gift! Hurray! So you reply with a wonderful, personal thank you note. And then you call her to say thanks. In addition to the paper letter that you send. Then what? You have to communicate with her…

Our Guide to Brilliant Major Gift Cultivation Events

Donor Cultivation, Events, Friendmaking, Major Gift Fundraising

Many fundraising teams are hosting major gift cultivation events often – to open doors, make friends, cultivate potential supporters and thank your current donors. All of these gatherings are wonderful opportunities to bring people…

How to Ask Your Donors for Feedback So They’ll Love You Even More

Annual Giving, Donor Cultivation, Major Gift Fundraising, Marketing & Communications

Have you tried asking your donors for feedback? This is a huge new trend that smart fundraisers are spearheading. Why can donor feedback be so important? How can you send communications to donors if you don't know if they like what…

Five Ideas That Will Make Major Gift Asks Much Easier and More Successful

Annual Giving, Asking for Donations, Donor Cultivation, Major Gift Fundraising

We all know that fundraising comes down to one exciting, scary moment: when you actually ask for support. This is when knees start knocking under the table, mouths get dry and suddenly words evaporate. But it doesn't have to be so awfully…

6 Steps You Can Take Today to Improve Your Donor Retention

Annual Giving, Donor Cultivation, Donor-Centered Fundraising, Fundraising Strategy, Marketing & Communications

We all know that donor retention is where the easy money is for you, your team, and your organization. It's the key to sustainable fundraising for your organization. Getting current donors to renew is far, far easier than bringing in new…

How to Create a Fundraising Action Plan for Your Board

Board Development, Board Members & Fundraising, Donor Cultivation, Major Gift Fundraising, Motivating Board Members

Board members are naturally nervous about fundraising. But there are ways to calm them down and make fundraising fun for them. No kidding! Here's how: set them up to do fundraising jobs that DON'T involve soliciting. Tell them…

Newsletter Strategies That Will Open Donors’ Hearts and Wallets

Donor Cultivation, Donor-Centered Fundraising, Marketing & Communications

Your wonderful newsletter just may be a total waste of time. Even worse, it might be HURTING you and your cause. Why? Because it is boring! It may not be boring to you but it sure may be boring to the people you hope will read it. And boring…

Three Easy Secrets to Major Gift Success