GIVING Magazine

As someone who’s been in fundraising for a while, I’ve learned that staying on top of things takes a mix of effort, creativity, and the right tools. It can be overwhelming, but there are some simple strategies that can make a big difference.

First, it’s really important to stay organized. Keeping track of donors, who they are, and how often you’re reaching out to them can help you build stronger connections. This can be as easy as setting reminders or using a basic spreadsheet. The goal is to make sure you’re not forgetting anyone and are able to reach out in a meaningful way.

Another tip that’s worked for us is focusing on telling stories. People love hearing about how their support has made a difference. Whether it’s sharing a success story or showing how a donation helped a specific person or project, these stories help people feel more connected to your cause. Even just including a picture and a couple of sentences in a newsletter can make an impact.

These small changes have helped us overcome some of the biggest challenges we face in fundraising, like donor fatigue or people feeling disconnected from our mission. When donors feel appreciated and see the real-world impact of their gifts, they’re more likely to keep giving.

If you’re just starting out or looking for ways to improve, start small. Focus on organization and communication. Build from there. It might not happen overnight, but with some consistency, you’ll start seeing results. And remember—every little bit of effort can make a big difference!

Example trend: Women are more philanthropic than men.

There’s been a growing conversation in the fundraising world about women giving more than men. It’s an interesting trend, and, in my own experience, I’ve seen it reflected in our donor base. We’ve noticed that women are not only giving more frequently but are often more engaged with the cause, asking thoughtful questions and showing long-term commitment.

This data, however, presents both opportunities and obstacles. On one hand, it’s encouraging to know that women are leading the way in philanthropy, but on the other, it raises concerns about whether we’re unintentionally neglecting male donors. If we overly focus on this trend, we could risk alienating male supporters or missing opportunities to engage them. Also, the data might not hold true for every organization or community, so it’s important to balance it with our own donor insights.

In terms of strategy, I’d suggest leaning into personalized outreach for both men and women. Instead of assuming one group gives more, focus on individual motivations. For women, we’ve found that emphasizing community impact and stories of transformation resonates well. For men, sometimes a focus on concrete outcomes and efficiency can work. Regardless of the data, building deeper relationships across all demographics remains key.

As for staying updated on fundraising trends, I’m a fan of reading nonprofit blogs, subscribing to industry newsletters, and joining professional networks. It’s a great way to not only stay current but also learn what’s working (or not) for other fundraisers. These resources provide actionable insights that I can easily implement in my own work, helping us keep pace with the changing landscape of philanthropy.

At the end of the day, knowing our donors as individuals is more important than relying too much on any single piece of data.

One of the most effective strategies we’ve implemented recently in our major gift and planned giving departments is sending annual personalized thank you cards. It’s a small gesture, but it has had a big impact on donor relationships. We make sure each card is handwritten and tailored to the donor, referencing specific gifts they’ve made and the direct impact their generosity has had on our mission.

This approach does more than just express gratitude—it deepens the personal connection with our supporters. Donors have reached out after receiving these cards, some even calling it the highlight of their year. It shows them we don’t take their support for granted and that they’re not just a name in our database. One long-time planned giving donor mentioned that the thank you card was the deciding factor in making an additional commitment to include us in her will. It’s incredible how much a handwritten note can reinforce trust and loyalty.

I highly recommend incorporating personalized thank you cards into your strategy. While emails or automated messages are quick and easy, nothing compares to the personal touch of a handwritten card. It’s a way to stand out in an increasingly digital world and show donors they’re truly valued.

This practice has also helped us solve a key obstacle: donor retention. By sending these cards annually, we stay on donors’ minds and reinforce the idea that their contributions are making a lasting difference. It’s a simple, cost-effective way to nurture relationships, reduce donor fatigue, and encourage future giving. If you’re looking for an easy yet impactful addition to your stewardship efforts, start with thank you cards—they’ve been a game-changer for us.

I never planned on becoming a fundraiser. I actually started out in corporate marketing, climbing the ladder and doing what I thought I was supposed to do. But everything changed after I volunteered at a local charity event. I realized how much I enjoyed connecting people with causes that mattered. The real turning point came when I helped a small nonprofit raise funds to rebuild a community center after a devastating hurricane. Seeing the direct impact of my work sparked something in me, and that’s when I knew fundraising was where I belonged.

At first, I thought fundraising was all about asking for money. But over the years, I’ve learned it’s so much more than that—it’s about relationships. Understanding why people give and helping them connect their personal values to the mission of our organization has become the core of my work. I’ve become a much better listener. Whether it’s chatting with a donor at an event or having coffee to dive deep into their goals, I’ve found that asking the right questions and truly listening leads to incredible opportunities.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is the value of patience. Early on, I used to feel disappointed when a donor didn’t give right away. Now, I understand that fundraising is a long game. I’ve had donors take years to make a significant gift, and because I stayed engaged without pressuring them, those gifts were more meaningful—and often larger—than I ever anticipated.

What keeps me here is the impact. There’s something incredibly rewarding about connecting people’s passions to real change. Every day, I get to see how generosity transforms lives, and that’s what drives me. Fundraising isn’t just a job to me—it’s my way of making the world a little better, one relationship at a time.