Let’s be honest: every dollar counts when running a nonprofit. Perhaps you are already fitting the budget to programs, staff, and operational expenses. So while providing great experiences for donors, you may think that one needs to be loaded to do so. Thankfully, there is some good news on that front: some of the best donor experiences cannot be bought with glitzy events or expensive gifts—they require thinking, creativity, and pure appreciation.
Experiences with donors are paid for through goodwill alone. After a donor feels valued and connected to your cause, they can never walk away from the relationship again. Let’s check out some practical, cheap ways in which donors can really feel like the heroes they truly are.
Thank Them by Name
Never underestimate the power of a simple thank you truly meant from the heart. In the digital domain, an actual note stands as a lighthouse of sincerity. There is no need for too fancy stationery—a pretty card featuring a personal line or two about a donor’s specific gift does wonders. Mention what the gift will accomplish, and perhaps have one person who benefitted from the donation write a line as well.
One is never to use a template as an appreciation email. Writing has to be done from a place of sincerity and speak directly to the donor, their giving history, using their first name at least three times, and finally, doing something so concrete and tangible in describing cases where gifts like theirs change lives. That last step is imperative, and you must become as real and personal as possible with every single giver so they feel acknowledged as an individual instead of being just a name in a donor database.
Create Behind-the-Scenes Moments
Donors donate for and believe in your mission. So, throw open the doors and let them witness the actuality. Define some casual virtual coffee chats in which they can engage with program staff or beneficiaries. These do not require any venue cost, just the cost of video conferencing and of genuine conversation.
Have regular video updates shared with messages from your executive director or program manager. Production value should actually be low or, better said, the less kempt, the better. Sometimes a raw iPhone video capturing real and spontaneous moments of your work will speak more to your donors than an expensive and razzmatazz production. Share with those donors the hurdles your organization comes across, as well as the fond days of victories, and they will have a feeling of accompanying you on this journey.
Leverage Technology Wisely
Technology is your ally in producing exhilarating donor experiences on a budget. Donor wall software or interactive touchscreen software may be worthy of consideration if you have any physical space their donors visit. In the interest of digital recognition, these solutions have become more and more affordable and manage to recognize donors in ways that are stimulating and ever-changing and without any ongoing costs, as with traditional plaques and printed materials.
On a good note, social media offers free opportunities for public donor appreciation (some might say donor worship, but we digress!). Create “Donor Spotlight” posts that share the reason why somebody actually gives to your organization. Tag them, share their motivation, and watch how this public recognition creates a ripple effect, inspiring others. Consider implementing donor wall software or touch screen interactive software if you have a physical space where donors visit.
Some email segmentation tools with free plans for smaller lists will let you send tailored communications according to donor interests or giving history. When donors get content that truly resonates with their core interests, they feel understood and valued.
Building Community with Your Supporters
Since your donors put the money toward your cause, they are joining a community of like-minded people. Start to forge connections among donors; for instance, arrange meetings for them. You might want to keep things casual by having them meet up in free community spaces such as libraries or parks. Sponsor some days of volunteer work for donors so that they may work side-by-side with each other and your organization.
Hosts a closed Facebook group or online community where donors can express their reasons for giving, celebrate achievements, and network with like-minded supporters. In cases where donors display interest or professional backgrounds in common, make introductions. Since such friendships that exist between donors through your organization grow the natural incline.
Celebrate Milestones Together
Sometimes, the anniversaries of donors’ giving acts or their birthdays or any other milestones personal to them and shared with you can somehow stand out for you to congratulate or acknowledge. An almost impromptu congratulations or thank-you email congratulating the donor on their fifth year of giving is a good touch, implying that one considers the donor a human being rather than just a funding source.
Indulge the donor families with memories during the organizational milestones. Inform the donors when a program goal has been reached or when the organization has served its thousandth client; the donors did it. Make infographics or short, slick videos showing how all donations, big or little, have been collectively used so individual donors can see how their donation maternally fertilizes the big picture.
Make Reporting Meaningful and Easy to Understand
Donors are concerned about whether their money is doing any good; however, they don’t want to spend many hours going through thick annual reports. Prepare short, colorful impact updates that anyone can consume in a matter of a few minutes. Use real numbers, real stories, and real photos—change them only if you really have to. Put emphasis on successes and where you fell short, because transparency makes trust!
Try recording short video impact reports that donors can watch anytime. Video reports are more interactive and engaging than reading written reports, requiring only a camera (smartphone) and good lighting.
The Bottom Line
Donor experiences are worth remembering, operating under a tight budget; that boils down to one principle: Treat donors the way you would want to be treated if you were generously supporting a worthy cause. You would want your gift appreciated; you would want to be treated with openness and a connection, maybe even some assurance that the donation made a difference.
You don’t have to go big to furnish those experiences—that requires intentionality, creativity, and a real commitment to relationship building. What are some other cost-saving experiences your organization has come up with? Let’s get everyone sharing stories and experiences so that we may continue learning together and growing as nonprofit communities!
PT. Semarsoft Technology Indonesia
