If you’re a nonprofit that needs your donors’ help, you want to ensure that your donation request is as effective as possible. Here are seven tips that can help you improve your fundraising efforts.
Personalize Thank You Notes
Donor thank you letters are a great way to keep donors engaged. They are also a fantastic way to set your nonprofit apart from the competition. It is because you can tell them how their gift is being used.
One of the best parts about sending a personalized letter is that it can help you to increase donor retention by a significant amount. One out of five donors will be more likely to donate again if they receive a personalized note.
However, writing a personal letter is not the only thing you should do. You should also follow a few crucial guidelines. For instance, spell-check everything and make sure the letter sounds professional. Lastly, it would be best if you got outside opinions on your letter to be sure it’s a good fit.
Adding photographs to your letter can add a personal touch. The pictures will help show your donors how their money is being used. Moreover, the photos will also encourage your donors to give again.
Make sure your letter is sent out as soon as possible after a significant donation. If you don’t send a thank you letter, your donors will feel like you aren’t thankful for their contribution. Even if you’re incredibly grateful for their support, you still need to thank them.
Invest in a Mobile-Friendly Website
If you’re a nonprofit looking to raise more money online, the best place to start is with a mobile-friendly website. Since one-third of all nonprofit websites are accessed via mobile devices, donors should find effective donation requests as simple as feasible.
Make sure your mobile-friendly website has all the features donors want. For example, include a simple call to action.
Donors are more likely to convert when they have a quick, simple, and secure way to submit their donations. You may need to tweak your donation form to make it more mobile-friendly. Adding image compression to the donation form is one way to do this.
Another example is a video. If you’re working to raise money for an animal shelter, for example, you can highlight your cause by showing photos of the animals you work with. It can be a great way to connect with younger, visual-oriented generations.
Other great features for your mobile-friendly donation form are a “call us” button and a suggested donation amount. The “call us” button automatically initiates a call on a mobile device. Similarly, a recommended donation amount can increase your conversions.
Streamline the Donation Process
To increase the conversion rate of your donation request, you need to streamline the process. While you can’t eliminate every step, there are a few ways to make it easier.
For example, some donors prefer to give online. A branded donation page will help them feel connected to your nonprofit. It can also increase average gifts.
Another strategy to boost your donation page is to add a streamlined search tool. You can incorporate this by presenting a checkbox or question that allows prospects to search for available options.
Donation pages should be tidily organized and include fields for essential information. It will allow donors to get the needed information without being distracted.
The “Why Give” page is essential to the donor experience. It’s important to show your prospect how your organization makes a difference. However, there are other reasons to make a gift.
Your donation page should be branded and include a clear call to action. In addition, you should consist of a logo and a color scheme that fits your brand.
Verify a Nonprofit’s Tax ID
When donating to a nonprofit, you want to ensure that the organization’s tax ID is correct. This information can be found on the nonprofit’s website or through third-party resources.
The nonprofit’s tax ID will be a nine-digit, similar to a social security number. It allows for easy financial data tracking and can be used to claim a tax deduction. To donate, you should check with the IRS to determine if the organization has 501(c)3 status.
The nonprofit’s EIN can be searched using the free IRS link. You can also check with your state attorney general to see if the nonprofit has any complaints. Some states require that charities register with their regulators.
Once you have found a charity, ask questions about their program, how they use the funds, and how they are registered. Take notes on any responses you get.
There are many scams targeting charity donations. Scammers use fake caller IDs and names that sound like well-established charities. They may even try to rush you into donating. Avoid letting them flow with you.
Take Advantage of social Media
A social media campaign can be a great way to raise money for your nonprofit. It can help you keep your current donors and connect with new ones. Social media can also increase your reach and brand awareness. But how can you make your donation request more effective?
The key is to create a strategy for using social media. While you can only get results after a while, improving your efforts is possible. Use Google Analytics to measure your results. It will help you develop a comprehensive social media strategy that positions your nonprofit for success.
Social media has become the primary way that people communicate. If you want to use it to generate donations, you’ll have to use your time wisely. Make sure you have someone who can monitor your conversations. You can also hire a professional fundraising consultant to help you develop a multichannel campaign.
When developing a social media campaign, start with a survey of your donor base. The results of this survey should be used to determine your target audience. Also, survey your board members and volunteers.
