DONOR TIME MANAGEMENT
AILMENT
“I’m so busy at work! With all the other things on my plate, I’m not talking to donors. What should I do?”
SYMPTOMS MAY INCLUDE
- Spending most of the week behind the computer or in staff meetings
- Not making progress in cultivation to be ready to solicit donors
- Donors are not renewing their gifts
POSSIBLE CAUSES
- Your calendar doesn’t reflect your important priorities
- You are focusing on short term accomplishments
- You don’t have a clear plan for donor cultivation
- Your stewardship strategy needs an overhaul
THE CURE
- Block out ‘donor time’ on your calendar. Secure your high energy hours in the day for donor outreach and communication. For instance: define blocks of time for donor calls and list specific donor names to reach out to during that time.
- Commit to protecting those important donor tasks. Donor relationships take time to manage and grow but the steps to do this are often not urgent or ‘on fire’ and might seem unimportant. Remind yourself that playing the consistent long game is key for building fundraising success.
- Consider defining a best-practice donor cultivation sequence. Make a roadmap with options for cultivation points. Then, with a particular donor in mind, work backwards in your calendar and define actions you will execute (with deadlines) in order to reach the goal.
- Define what success is for each move. Understanding how each step contributes to your goals for donor relations will help you recognize the value in small, but key moves.
- Set up a plan for donor stewardship. After thanking donors promptly, make sure you affirm their generosity and show the benefits of their investment. Spec out three communications for the months following the gift. Put them on your calendar.
- Be courageous and map out your plan for the year. With your overall fundraising goal in mind, set benchmarks for donor retention and engagement starting with your most high-value donors.
