A supporter has just signed up for your e-newsletter or joined your cause. How do you engage them while their interest is still new and passionate? Allowing them to just sit there will only teach them to be passive about your cause. Here are four tips for encouraging new members to become donors.
Ask soon
New members are most likely to be inspired by your work because they just joined. For example, once a person signs up for your cause, the next page they should see could include a tell-a-friend button and a donate page. This will give motivated new supporters a chance to take action.
Put fundraising into your campaigns.
After people have told their friends about your organization, give them the opportunity to donate. Let donors know their contribution will aid the issue you are working on and the other issues your organization supports. If you can, let a deadline or current events to add urgency to your campaign.
Match it
If it is possible, offer a challenge or matching grant opportunity. These motivate donors because they know even a small gift will become much more.
Balance average gifts with low-dollar asks
For example, telling donors that “If just 500 people gave $10 right now, we’d reach our goal,” helps encourage people who may not give at your normal level. However, you want to make sure those low-dollar gifts balance out the drop in your average gifts.
Information taken from: Allyson Kapin. “Converting New Activities into Donors.” Interview with Madeline Stanionis and Jenn Smith. <www.frogloop.com>.
-- Ashley High is a Research Assistant at Christian Foundation Grants (www.christianfoundationgrants.com) which is a subscription database of foundations that provide grants to faith based organizations. iDonate.com is a website (www.iDonate.com) that allows ministries to receive non cash gifts online