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Donor Stewardship: Community-Centric Segmentation and Practices

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Manage episode 503966805 series 2445820
Content provided by Further Together: Fundraising Strategies for Nonprofit Organizations. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Further Together: Fundraising Strategies for Nonprofit Organizations or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

Send us a text

Your top donors don’t just write big cheques; they could be folding newsletters in your conference room every Tuesday or serving on your board for the third consecutive year.

In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, we're exploring on what it means to steward supporters through a Community-Centric Fundraising lens. We're sharing ways we’ve shown gratitude to people who show up for your mission with time, talent, advocacy, and yes, dollars too. We challenge the traditional approach of stewarding people based solely on gift amounts and explore who really deserves your high-touch attention (spoiler: it's not just your $1,000+ donors).

1. Volunteers Are Major Donors in Disguise

Your regular volunteers are often contributing the equivalent of $15,000-$60,000 in staff time, yet most organizations don't steward them like major donors. That volunteer who designed your website for free? That's a $15,000 gift that deserves the same recognition as a financial contribution of that size.

2. Monthly Donors Deserve VIP Treatment

Even a $5 monthly donor should be in your major giving category. These supporters show incredible commitment and loyalty, and research shows they're likely to increase their giving over time. Plus, they're your best candidates for additional campaign gifts and planned giving opportunities.

3. Your Staff Are Subsidizing Your Mission

Every nonprofit staff member is essentially making a $20,000-$30,000 gift by accepting below-market wages. During the current hiring and retention crisis, treating staff with the same stewardship approach you'd use for major donors isn't just nice. It's smart business.

4. Longevity Matters More Than Single-Year Giving

A donor who's given $100 for five consecutive years is more valuable than someone who gave $500 once. Length of relationship and consistency of support are stronger indicators of future giving potential than one-time gift amounts.

5. Meaningful Stewardship Is About Connection, Not Cost

The most impactful stewardship often costs very little. A quick, personal email sharing a story you just heard can be more meaningful than an expensive branded gift. Authenticity trumps fancy materials every time.

Resources and Links

o Connect with our host, Maria Rio

o Connect with our cohost, Caitlin McBride

o Support our show. We are fully self-funded!

o Watch this episode on YouTube

o Need help with your fundraising?

o Liked this episode? Have an idea? Send us a text HERE :)

Support the show

  continue reading

295 episodes

Artwork
iconShare
 
Manage episode 503966805 series 2445820
Content provided by Further Together: Fundraising Strategies for Nonprofit Organizations. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Further Together: Fundraising Strategies for Nonprofit Organizations or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

Send us a text

Your top donors don’t just write big cheques; they could be folding newsletters in your conference room every Tuesday or serving on your board for the third consecutive year.

In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, we're exploring on what it means to steward supporters through a Community-Centric Fundraising lens. We're sharing ways we’ve shown gratitude to people who show up for your mission with time, talent, advocacy, and yes, dollars too. We challenge the traditional approach of stewarding people based solely on gift amounts and explore who really deserves your high-touch attention (spoiler: it's not just your $1,000+ donors).

1. Volunteers Are Major Donors in Disguise

Your regular volunteers are often contributing the equivalent of $15,000-$60,000 in staff time, yet most organizations don't steward them like major donors. That volunteer who designed your website for free? That's a $15,000 gift that deserves the same recognition as a financial contribution of that size.

2. Monthly Donors Deserve VIP Treatment

Even a $5 monthly donor should be in your major giving category. These supporters show incredible commitment and loyalty, and research shows they're likely to increase their giving over time. Plus, they're your best candidates for additional campaign gifts and planned giving opportunities.

3. Your Staff Are Subsidizing Your Mission

Every nonprofit staff member is essentially making a $20,000-$30,000 gift by accepting below-market wages. During the current hiring and retention crisis, treating staff with the same stewardship approach you'd use for major donors isn't just nice. It's smart business.

4. Longevity Matters More Than Single-Year Giving

A donor who's given $100 for five consecutive years is more valuable than someone who gave $500 once. Length of relationship and consistency of support are stronger indicators of future giving potential than one-time gift amounts.

5. Meaningful Stewardship Is About Connection, Not Cost

The most impactful stewardship often costs very little. A quick, personal email sharing a story you just heard can be more meaningful than an expensive branded gift. Authenticity trumps fancy materials every time.

Resources and Links

o Connect with our host, Maria Rio

o Connect with our cohost, Caitlin McBride

o Support our show. We are fully self-funded!

o Watch this episode on YouTube

o Need help with your fundraising?

o Liked this episode? Have an idea? Send us a text HERE :)

Support the show

  continue reading

295 episodes

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