Boost Donor Connections in 2026
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We had a wildly successful EOY fundraiser, but I'm not sure what to do right now. How do I keep donors engaged, and what do I say to lapsed donors? 👆 A friend asked me this question recently. She just became a director in a nonprofit that is growing EXTREMELY fast, but she felt stuck. Her background is in corporate America, and she struggled to transfer her knowledge and skills into the nonprofit space. She knew what made good customers - but donors and volunteers? She started to panic. So we made a plan to bring her back to earth and get her nonprofit's communications running smoothly, starting with lapsed donors. Q1 is a great time to re-engage with lapsed donors. The pressure of year-end is off, and you still have plenty of time to make several touchpoints before gearing up for spring events. This time is an opportunity to make personalized touchpoints before making another ask. Approach lapsed donors with the understanding that they're probably just as busy and forgot, not that they abandoned your mission and want to throw your team out the window. This lens helps you engage with more understanding. Want a peek into what we came up with? Here's the email strategy we mapped out: Email 1 - Let them know about the impact their last donation made. Did it help fund a program or purchase supplies? Show them how they made a difference and express your gratitude for their support of your mission. Make this personalized and specific to their level of support. Email 2 - You know we love a good story. Share an impact story related to the initiative their support helped fund. The first email keeps it specific to their individual support, and sharing an impact story here helps them see how their contribution shapes the big picture. Other touchpoint - Ask for their opinion! This could be an email, call/text, or direct mail. Ask for their feedback on initiatives or programs they have contributed to. This shows them that you value their input and want them to be a greater part of your mission. People want to feel like their voice matters, and they want a stronger sense of belonging in a cause they care about. Email 3 - This email should include specific information based on their feedback from the previous touchpoint. Show them you're listening, thank them for their input, and invite them to an upcoming event. Email 4 - About a week after email 3, invite them to donate again (I recommend inviting them to your monthly donor program if you have one). Express your gratitude and give them donation amount options. Coordinating your emails with your donor CRM will save you a lot of time here. I also recommend keeping a document that includes direct quotes from lapsed donor feedback. Keeping data with their specific language can help you reduce Giving obstacles and answer questions for current and potential donors. Remember - your 1:1 communications should guide all of your marketing. That is directly connected to your donor stewardship. When they give you feedback, value it. Are there other ways you re-engage lapsed donors? Click reply and let me know - I'd love to keep this conversation going!
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