• Establishing a Year-Round Engagement Cadence
• Quarterly Engagement Tactics
• Prioritizing Digital Engagement with Strategic In-Person Events
• Follow-Up Is Key
• Take Action: Craft a Donor Engagement Calendar

Building strong, lasting donor relationships takes more than a one-time “thank you” after a gift. Whether you’re in annual, leadership, or major gift fundraising, creating year-round engagement with donors is essential for inspiring long-term loyalty. Let’s dive into strategies for maintaining contact with donors all year, especially through digital touchpoints, with a few well-timed in-person connections.

Establishing a Year-Round Engagement Cadence

To keep donors engaged, it’s helpful to create a structured cadence for interactions. This approach ensures you reach out regularly without overwhelming your supporters. For engaged donors, aim for about 2-3 meaningful touchpoints each quarter, while for prospective donors, 7+ connections each quarter may be needed to build interest and familiarity.

Quarterly Engagement Tactics

Each quarter, choose a variety of touchpoints to build a well-rounded engagement plan. Here’s a sample cadence with ideas to maintain contact and show appreciation:

1st Quarter:

• Email Update: Send a personal email sharing a meaningful story or milestone, such as a recent program success. Make it relevant to their interests.
• Virtual “Coffee Chat” Invite: Extend an invite to a virtual or in-person coffee chat with leadership. This informal meet-up is a great way to show transparency and connect donors to your institution’s goals.
• Quarterly Report: Share a digital impact report that highlights the successes their support has helped achieve.

2nd Quarter:

• Social Media Spotlight: Tag or feature donors in social media posts celebrating support milestones. This public acknowledgment can boost their connection to your organization and inspire others.
• Personalized Video Update: Create a quick, personalized video thanking them or updating them on a project they’ve shown interest in. Keep it informal and friendly.
• Invite to an Upcoming Event: For those in the area, extend an invite to an already established event like a community gathering or campus tour.

3rd Quarter:

• Mid-Year Impact Email: Send an email update about mid-year achievements, keeping the focus on outcomes that connect with your donors’ interests.
• Exclusive Webinar or Virtual Event: Host a virtual Q&A session or roundtable discussion with institutional leaders, inviting donors to ask questions or learn more about your current initiatives.
• Follow-up Call or Note: Reach out with a personal note or call thanking them for their continued support and asking if they’d like to hear more about a specific project.

4th Quarter:

• Year-End Appeal Follow-Up: If they contributed to a year-end appeal, follow up with a thank-you email or call in January to highlight their impact.
• Holiday Greeting: A heartfelt email or postcard during the holiday season can feel personal and show that you’re thinking of them outside of fundraising asks.
• In-Person Event: Invite them to attend a holiday gathering or seasonal celebration already on your calendar.

Prioritizing Digital Engagement with Strategic In-Person Events

Digital outreach should form the foundation of your engagement strategy, offering quick and impactful ways to connect. Remember, in-person engagement doesn’t mean creating new events from scratch. Instead, sync invitations with your institution’s existing events, such as lectures or community events. This way, donors get a genuine experience of your community without the pressure of a special event just for them.

Follow-Up Is Key

One of the simplest ways to show you care is through consistent follow-up. Keep the conversation going after each event or touchpoint, either with a brief email or a personalized message. Thoughtful follow-up lets donors know you value their involvement, helping to deepen the relationship over time.

Take Action: Craft a Donor Engagement Calendar

To make year-round engagement simple and sustainable, create a persona of an engaged donor and build a customized year-round engagement calendar for them. Then, use this cycle for all engaged donors, and adapt it with increased outreach for prospective donors.

With a thoughtful cadence and a mix of digital and in-person touchpoints, you’ll create a year-round engagement plan that strengthens relationships and makes each donor feel like a valued part of your community..

Questions? Or need feedback on a current project? Text our team to help!

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