Remember, each passing year is another chance to improve. Imagine what your organization could accomplish in 2022 if you began each initiative with streamlined donor records, an arsenal of canned reports to track key metrics, and a solid plan to prioritize each donor segment individually.
While your nonprofit’s plan will be unique, these foundational tips are sure to help you set the stage for the new year with a sure-fire fundraising strategy.
Tip #1: Send multichannel communications with diverse opportunities to give
You may be surprised to learn that multichannel donors contribute four times as often as online-only or offline-only donors – and typically have a higher lifetime value.
Social media is known for its generous donations, enthusiastic volunteers, and passionate advocates. More than half of those who engage with nonprofits on social media decide to support them in some way. In fact, revenue from Facebook fundraisers alone grew by 14% last year. To make the most of this continued trend, include reaching your donors on as many platforms as possible a part of your fundraising strategy.
Multichannel donors follow you on social media, rally their friends through crowdfunding, and participate in your events. Match their energy by providing volunteer opportunities, hosting giving challenges, offering peer-to-peer fundraising opportunities, and encouraging community chatter. If this sounds like a heavy lift for your organization, automated workflows might be your lifesaver.
Tip #2: Shift to virtual fundraising for a more flexible fundraising strategy
In 2022, face-to-face, hybrid, and virtual fundraising events are all possible, but it’s prudent to consider your donors’ comfort level while planning. Many of your supporters will be affected by the pandemic for some time. Not to mention, online fundraising revenue grew a whole 32% in 2021. Donors appreciate nonprofits’ ability to adapt to their needs so they can continue to participate.
At least half of all donors attend fundraising events – no matter their generation – so why not add some innovative virtual events to your fundraising strategy to engage your diverse donor groups?
Whether your supporters are traveling or staying home, online donation forms will remain the best way for you and your donors to do business. Make sure your online forms are seen by putting them in plain sight – not just on your homepage, but in all necessary areas of your nonprofit website.
Tip #3: Call for “all hands on deck” to make donors feel like part of your mission’s movement
Monthly giving
Monthly giving makes donors feel like much more than a drop in the ocean. That’s why nonprofit monthly giving revenue has increased by 40% in recent years, as more and more donors elect to budget out their giving on a recurring basis. These automatic monthly transactions allow donors to maintain their relationship with your organization without much work.
Crowdfunding
Socially-driven crowdfunding solutions equip donors to raise more money for their organization, simply by asking their family, friends, and colleagues to give to their page. Donors can choose the option on your online form to create their own crowdfunding page, then the funds and information from their page are sent directly to your database.
Giving Tuesday
Millions of people participate in Giving Tuesday each year, raising billions of dollars annually. Many donors will decide to give to an organization for the first time. For that reason, social media is a great place for you to put your Giving Tuesday campaign in front of people who are not yet familiar with your organization. Brainstorm how you will cut through the noise while capitalizing on the biggest giving day of the year.
Tip #4: Use insights to get ahead of year-end goals and maximize your major donor potential
Major donors represent two-thirds of total dollars raised, and on average, they contribute more than $56,000 per year. This is why they have an enormous impact on your organization’s overall success. Their sizable gifts are what get your projects off the ground, so it’s important to prioritize them all year long, while also keeping in mind that most annual giving (one-third) happens in December.
In order to prioritize the right people, you have to know where to find them in your database. When donor attributes are added to your existing records – like past philanthropic efforts – you can better determine their capacity to give to your organization. How can you append these attributes to your database? Machine learning and predictive technology make it easy – all you have to do is integrate these tools with your donor management system.
Don’t worry, you’re not alone in establishing a stronger fundraising strategy this year. DonorPerfect experts designed the 2022 Fundraising Calendar to help you improve your organization’s key metrics. Inside, you’ll have access to strategy suggestions and free monthly resources!
Your 2022 Fundraising Calendar
By DonorPerfect Fundraising
About the author: Ally Orlando , DonorPerfect Fundraising.
Ally Orlando works with the Communications & Marketing team at DonorPerfect and is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Philadelphia Chapter. An avid donor herself, Ally strives to soak up nonprofit resources in her daily research and share them with DonorPerfect’s growing community. Ally connects with DonorPerfect’s diverse nonprofit clients in her home state of Pennsylvania, and across the U.S. and Canada. When she’s not writing, researching, or networking with nonprofits, you can find her at home – drawing, cooking, and spending time with her pets.
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