We get this question from major gift officers all the time: “How do I get a donor to talk to me?”

At any given time, our staff at Veritus is working with over 200 mid-level and major gift officers, so we’re always learning and exploring new ways to connect with donors. And we wanted to share something that’s been working really well for our fundraisers.

In today’s Question of the Month, Jeff outlines a simple, two-step strategy that our clients have used and that’s been proven to increase donor engagement. This approach is deceptively simple, but it requires persistence and dedication to the process of qualifying donors and following up to learn more about their interests.

We hope this tip helps you see more engagement from your donors! You can watch the video or read the full transcript below. 

Read the full transcript:

Jeff Schreifels 

Hi there. I’m Jeff Schreifels, Principal at Veritus Group. Today I want to address a common challenge faced by many fundraisers: getting donors to engage. It’s a question we often receive, and I’m excited to share a practical strategy that’s proven to show results.

At Veritus, we’re always exploring innovative ways to connect with donors. And we’ve seen a lot of fundraisers succeed with this simple, yet effective two-step strategy for boosting donor engagement. Here’s what it entails.

Step one: make a phone call. Though it might often result in no answer or voicemail, it’s an essential, initial step. Step two: on the same day, send an email to the donor. The email serves as a follow up to the missed call, expressing interest in learning more about the donor’s giving motivations. This approach isn’t limited to just phone and email. In cases where the phone attempts fail, due to a bad number or lack of email, a handwritten card is mailed out on that same day. This ensures multiple touch points to engage the donor.

Now, implementing this strategy has resulted in notable increases in donor responses. Our mid-level and major gift officers are thrilled with the progress they’re making in fostering connections with donors. I really encourage you to try this two-step strategy, and remember, persistence pays off in fundraising. If after multiple attempts a donor doesn’t engage, it’s okay to gracefully move on. Your dedication in trying to connect speaks volumes. This strategy isn’t just about making contacts; it’s about nurturing relationships. Every touch point counts. Your dedication will eventually lead to meaningful connections.

Thank you for joining me today. Keep engaging, keep connecting, and keep making a difference.

PS — If you’d like to learn more about developing a communication plan to help you engage your donors, learn their passions, and inspire them to give, download our free White Paper, Creating Strategic Plans and Goals for Every Major Donor.