Posted inAdvice

How Churches and Schools can Establish Deep Donor Connections in 4 Easy Steps!

Posted inAdvice

The need for strong donor connection is evident—it creates sustainability, increases size of gifts, creates donor loyalty, and establishes long-term credibility. Without deep donor connections, most nonprofits fail over time because lack of support.

Here are the 4 steps to take to increase donor connection to mission:

  1. Start a membership donor group like an Adopt-A-Subject Program (AASP).
    • For schools, it is usually call “Adopt-A-Student Program.”
      • A donor group that connects donors to mission though its students, teachers, departments, etc.
      • This is done through the letters, cards, emails, Zooms, etc.—through the beneficiaries.
  2. Develop giving levels
    • The AASP usually has the following giving levels:
      • $1K to $10K
      • $10K to $20K
      • $20K +
  3. Create a Case for Support—see example  above!
    • The AASP description (Case for Support) has the following:
      • Personalize Title Page
      • Organization Mission
      • Organization Services/Problems being solved
      • AASP Description
      • AASP Giving Levels
  4. Start soliciting!
  • Pro Tip: Remember to reup donors next year for those you are unable to get to commit for more than one year!

Can you think of any other ways to increase donor connections? Leave a comment below.

Author

  • Paul Hosch is the Founder and CEO of Nonprofit Fundraising Management (NFM), a firm dedicated to helping religious institutions grow their financial capacity. With over two decades of experience and more than $50M raised, Paul has led fundraising efforts for organizations such as Verbum Dei Jesuit High School, USC’s Keck School of Medicine, and The Emory Fellowship. He holds a B.S. in Business from USC and is pursuing a master’s in Nonprofit Management at the University of San Francisco, with a thesis on fundraising in the Black Church. Paul also serves on the TACSC Board and is Chairman Emeritus at Santa Monica College. Outside of work, he enjoys art, vegan cooking, travel, reading, and proudly holds the title of “world’s greatest uncle."