The Trends in Donors' Hearts: Part I

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As recently reported by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the company Russ Reid conducted a detailed survey on donor motivations, with a particular focus on why donors make more than one gift. You may sign up for your own copy of the report's executive summary here. 

The report includes reasons donors cited for giving a second gift to a nonprofit they donated to for the first time:

1. The organization explained its specific mission to me.
2. The organization made me feel that my gift really made a difference.
3. The organization gave me information about exactly what my gift helped accomplish.

If you haven't already done so, take a moment to gather all the information about donors to your organization for at least the last three years into one central location. Discuss how you might apply these principles with your current donor base. You might:

1. Call donors 1-2 times per year just to say thank you and give the information cited above.
2. Send a personal note to donors 1-2 times per year covering the same info.
3. Send a card at thanksgiving indicating your gratitude for your donor's generosity.

Applying these principles might inspire the great honor of a second gift from your incredible base of donors. 

What's working well on these principles at your organization? Share your experiences below.