1. Donor Retention through Donor
Relations
Lynne M. Wester
@donorguru

2. ©2014 DonorRelationsGuru

3. 3
Donor Recognition and Stewardship
• Is there a better way to do this?
• What are some ways that we can better
serve our donors?
• What is someone else doing that we’re
not?
• Is there an app for that?
• Making Innovation a Priority
©2014 DonorRelationsGuru

4. Who are we talking about?
• High Level Annual Donors
• People Falling through the Cracks
4©2014 DonorRelationsGuru

5. The Facts, Just the Facts
What is your retention rate?
• At YU we went from 48% to 72% in three years
of concentrated donor relations efforts
• What would a 10% increase in retention mean
to your organization?
©2014 DonorRelationsGuru

6. The “Blanket” Approach
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©2014 DonorRelationsGuru

7. Data Analysis and Leveling
• A. Donors of 25K- 100K TPF for the previous FY or
Cumulative Lifetime TPF of 100K to 1 Million
• B. Donors of 100K-500K TPF for the previous FY or
Cumulative Lifetime TPF of 1 Million plus
• TPF= Total Philanthropic Funds=Cash+Pledges
• A.734 constituents
• B.186 constituents
7©2014 DonorRelationsGuru

8. Other Groups Added
• Loyalty Donors
• First Time Donors
• Anyone who needs extra touch and care
8©2013 DonorRelationsGuru

9. What drives your camp donors?
• Belonging, feeling connected
• Nostalgia, memories from when young
• Staying connected, even if out of town
• Personal help
• Incentive to visit
©2013 DonorRelationsGuru

10. Calendar Approach
• August- Thank You Postcard
• September- Rosh Hashanah email greeting
• October- Phone Call from Student
• November- Donor Recognition Event
• December- Hanukkah Postcard
• January- Invitations to YU Museum Event
• February- Hand Written Note
• March- Pesach Postcard
• April- Impact of Giving Report
• May- Commencement Invitation and Webcast
10©2014 DonorRelationsGuru

12. Impact Piece
12©2014 DonorRelationsGuru

13. Impact Piece
13©2014 DonorRelationsGuru

14. Postcards
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©2014 DonorRelationsGuru

15. ©2014 DonorRelationsGuru

16. Emails
©2014 DonorRelationsGuru
44% open Rate!

17. Thank a Donor Week
©2014 DonorRelationsGuru

18. Building Updates
©2014 DonorRelationsGuru

19. Video
©2014 DonorRelationsGuru

20. Thank a Thon
©2014 DonorRelationsGuru

21. Website
©2014 DonorRelationsGuru

22. Questions? Comments
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• Lynne Wester
• lynne@donorrelationsguru.com
• www.donorrelationsguru.com
• Friend me on Facebook
• Follow me on Twitter @donorguru