5 Tips to convert GivingTuesday donors into lifelong supporters

Donor retention is key to the success of any nonprofit organization. In fact, it’s been shown that donor attrition rates can be as high as 80-90% in the first year alone!

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That’s why it’s so important to focus on ways to convert GivingTuesday donors into lifelong supporters. It's not just about acquiring new donors, but also about retaining the ones you have.

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In this blog post, we will explore 5 strategies for doing just that.

1. Send a personal thank you note

One of the best ways to show your donors that you appreciate their support is to send them a personal thank you note. This doesn’t have to be anything fancy – a handwritten note or even a simple email will do. Just take the time to express your gratitude and let them know how their donation is making a difference.

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Here's an example you can copy:

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Subject: Thank you for your GivingTuesday donation

Hello (Donor Name),

Thank you so much for your generous donation to our organization on GivingTuesday. We are truly grateful for your support.

Your donation will go a long way in helping us achieve our mission of (insert mission here). We cannot do it without supporters like you.

Once again, thank you so much for your generosity. We are truly grateful.

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Sincerely,

(Your name)

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2. Keep them updated on your work

Another way to show your donors that you value their support is to keep them updated on your work. This can be done in a number of ways, such as sending them periodic e-newsletters, sharing updates on social media, or even inviting them to events. By staying in touch, you’ll keep your donors engaged and informed about the difference their support is making.

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For a practical example, let's look at how you could use social media to update your GivingTuesday donors about your work. You could start by creating a Facebook or Instagram post thanking them for their donation and then follow up with periodic updates on how those funds are being used. Be sure to use engaging visuals and compelling storytelling to really capture their attention.

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Here's an example Facebook post you could use:

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Thank you, donors!

Your support on GivingTuesday made a huge difference in our work. Here’s a quick update on how your donations are being used:

(Insert update)

Thank you again for your support! We couldn’t do this without you.

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3. Offer opportunities for further involvement

One of the best ways to turn a one-time donor into a lifelong supporter is to offer them opportunities for further involvement. This could include volunteering opportunities, special events, or even leadership roles within your organization. By offering your donors ways to get more involved, you’ll deepen their connection to your cause and turn them into a true champion for your work.

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This works because humans are social creatures and we naturally want to feel like we’re part of a community. When you offer your donors opportunities for further involvement, you’re giving them a chance to connect with others who care about the same things they do. This sense of community will ultimately lead to deeper relationships and more loyalty to your cause.

Here's an example of an email you could send to your GivingTuesday donors offering them further involvement opportunities:

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Subject: Get more involved with our work

Dear (Donor Name),

Thank you so much for your generous donation to our organization on GivingTuesday. We are truly grateful for your support.

If you’re interested in getting more involved with our work, we’d love to have you. Here are some ways you can get involved:

(Insert involvement opportunities)

If you’re interested in any of these opportunities, please let us know. We’d be more than happy to chat with you about how you can get involved.

Once again, thank you so much for your support. We truly appreciate it.

Sincerely,

(Your name)

4. Make it easy to donate again

When it comes time for GivingTuesday or any other major fundraising campaign, make sure you make it easy for your donors to give again. This could include setting up recurring donations, providing giving guides, or even offering matching gifts. By making it easy for donors to support you again, you’ll be more likely to retain their loyalty for the long term.

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The donor journey should be easy and seamless from start to finish. That’s why it’s so important to make sure you have a robust fundraising platform that can handle everything from donations to donor management. If you don’t have a good system in place, it will be much harder to keep track of your donors and their giving history. This can make it difficult to properly thank them or offer them further opportunities for involvement.

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Here's an example of a matching gifts email you could send to your GivingTuesday donors:

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Subject: Double your impact this GivingTuesday

Dear (Donor Name),

Thank you so much for your generous donation to our organization on GivingTuesday. We are truly grateful for your support.

Did you know that many companies offer matching gift programs? This means that your employer could match or even double your donation to our organization. If you’re interested in learning more about matching gifts,

(Insert matching gift information and link)

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’d be more than happy to chat with you about matching gifts.

Once again, thank you so much for your support. We truly appreciate it.

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Sincerely,

(Your name)

5. Show them the impact of their donation

Last but not least, be sure to show your donors the impact of their donation. This could include sharing stories of those who have been helped by your work, sending updates on how their donation is being used, or even inviting them to tour your facility. By showing donors the tangible results of their support, you’ll remind them why they gave in the first place and inspire them to continue their support for years to come.

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You could share impact stories in an email, on social media, or even on your website. If you have a blog, you could also write posts highlighting the impact of specific donations or campaigns. Whatever method you choose, be sure to keep your stories concise, personal, and relatable.

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Here's an example of an email you could send to your GivingTuesday donors showing them the impact of their donation:

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Subject: See the impact of your GivingTuesday donation

Dear (Donor Name),

Thank you so much for your generous donation to our organization on GivingTuesday. We are truly grateful for your support.

Your donation is already making a difference in the lives of those we serve.

(Share a specific story or update on how their donation is being used)

It’s donor like you that make our work possible. Thank you again for your support.

If you’d like to stay updated on the impact of your donation,

(Insert information on how they can stay updated)

We’ll be sure to keep you in the loop.

Once again, thank you so much for your support. We truly appreciate it.

Sincerely,

(Your name)

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By following these simple tips, you can significantly increase your chances of retaining GivingTuesday donors and turn them into lifelong supporters of your work.