31 Ways to Cultivate Your Donors

by Stephen Hitchcock

1. Invite them to visit
2. Visit them
3. Arrange meetings for them with other major donors
4. Invite them to be your board
5. Ask them to host major donors parties
6. Ask them for advice
7. Take them to funded projects
8. Send them notes or cards on birthdays or anniversaries
9. Send them flowers when in the hospital
10. Send gifts with personal notes
11. Send press clippings and notes when they're published or recognized in the news
12. Send photos of beneficiaries
13. Give them handicrafts or artwork by beneficiaries
14. Send certificates
15. Write and call to thank them personally
16. Install a dedicated 800-number to make it easier for them to contact you
17. Invite them to join an Honorary or Advisory Board
18. Look for ways to develop shared, unrelated interests
19. Invite them to join delegations or go on trips
20. Send them questionnaires
21. Send them copies of your PSAs and news releases
22. Send videotapes about your agency's work
23. Send your newsletter to them via 1st class in envelopes
24. Issue press releases about major gifts
25. Regularly ask them for more gifts
26. Make every request a thank-you
27. Send them copies of your direct mail packages, either preceded by a note of explanation and/or with cover notes
28. Establish a memorial or tribute gifts program
29. Host a son or daughter
30. Hold special events or activities at the local or neighborhood level
31. Establish a donor recognition program

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• 9 steps to setting up a giving club
• 12 things to write in thank you letters to your donors
• 5 ways to conduct market research on a shoestring
• How long should your renewal series be?

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