How to Keep Donor Engagement High on Post-Giving Season

The giving season may be over, but that doesn’t mean your connection with donors should be, too. In fact, now is the perfect time to start a new chapter. Your donors have already shown they care, so why not keep that momentum going? 

The post-giving season offers a valuable opportunity to strengthen these relationships and explore fresh donor engagement strategies. It’s a time when you can deepen your connections and show your supporters how their contributions make a lasting difference. 

Let’s explore how you can turn this post-giving season into a powerful opportunity to reinforce your mission and engage your supporters year-round.

1. Show Genuine Gratitude 

Automated thank-you emails are a nice touch, but they’re not enough to keep donor engagement high after the giving season. 

A personalized follow-up can be as simple as a handwritten note or a short phone call, and it can make a huge difference in keeping donor engagement high after the giving season.

A study by McConkey-Johnston International found that first-time donors who receive a personal thank you within 48 hours are four times more likely to give again. (Source) That small effort can help build lasting relationships with supporters.

Personalized Follow-Ups

Personalized follow-ups aren't about writing lengthy letters. It’s about making your donors feel appreciated in a personal way. Here’s how you can do it:

• Thank-You Calls: A quick call from a board member can leave a strong impression. Penelope Burk’s research found that a thank-you call within 24 hours can increase the next donation by 39%. (Source) A small gesture like this shows the donor that their contribution was noticed right away.
• Handwritten Notes: A handwritten note feels extra thoughtful. Mention the donor’s specific contribution and how it will make an impact. This personal touch makes the donor feel like they’re more than just another name on a list.
• Email Check-Ins: Personalized emails thanking donors for their contributions also work well. In fact, 26% of donors are more inspired to give when email marketing is used as the communication medium. (Source) 

Donor Spotlights

Another way to maintain donor engagement is to feature donors in your communications. Highlighting the people who support your nonprofit recognizes them and shows other donors that their contributions are valued. 

Always remember to ask for permission before featuring anyone in a donor spotlight. 

Here’s how you can highlight them:

• Social media Shoutouts: Recognize your donors by featuring them in a post. It could be a simple thank-you or a story about why they gave.
• Newsletter Features: Including a donor story in your newsletter helps others see the impact of giving. Share why the donor supported your nonprofit and how their contributions have helped move the mission forward.
• Website Spotlights: Dedicate a section on your website or blog to feature donor stories. Highlight their personal connection to your cause and what motivates them to continue supporting your nonprofit.
• Event Recognition: During your fundraising events or virtual gatherings, take a moment to thank and recognize key donors publicly. It’s a simple way to make them feel appreciated and encourage others to stay engaged.

2. Showcase the Impact

After the giving season, it's important to let donors know how their support made a difference. 

People like to feel connected to what they’re helping, and showcasing the real impact can strengthen that bond. Two simple ways to do this are Personalized Impact Reports and Visual Storytelling.

Personalized Impact Reports

Sending donors a personalized update on how their donation was used makes them feel appreciated. It's like giving them a behind-the-scenes view of the change they helped create. 

Did you know that 41% of donors would give again if they received personalized communication about the impact of their support? (Source)

You can make these reports as detailed or simple as you like, but here are a few ideas to include:

• A breakdown of where the funds went
• Stories from people who benefited directly
• Future goals the nonprofit hopes to achieve, thanks to their donation

These small touches go a long way in boosting donor engagement.

Visual Storytelling

Sometimes, words alone aren’t enough. Showing the change through visuals, like before-and-after photos, adds another layer to your storytelling. 

It helps donors visualize the transformation they helped make possible. Think of a project that improved over time and show the progress from start to finish.

A well-crafted email with images or a short video can bring your donor engagement strategies to life. 39% of donors said they'd give again if they received an email or text that clearly communicated their impact. (Source)

3. Continuous Engagement Strategies

A nonprofit donor engagement strategy requires more than just a few updates. It's about creating an ongoing and meaningful relationship. One way to do this is to keep up regular communication and offer ways for donors to get involved through volunteering.

Year-Round Communication

You don’t want donors to feel like they only matter during campaigns. Regular communication keeps them connected and reminds them of the impact they’re helping make.

Instead of waiting for the next fundraiser, send updates throughout the year. These updates don’t need to be long. A short message sharing a recent success story or upcoming event can keep donors engaged. 

Small gestures, like sending a message on the anniversary of their first donation, show that you remember and appreciate them. 

Surveys are another simple way to keep the conversation going. They allow donors to share their thoughts and feel more involved in your nonprofit’s plans.

Keeping that connection alive is a big part of successful donor engagement ideas. Reaching out regularly shows donors that they’re valued members of your mission. 

Read our blog on How to Write Effective Short Donation Messages to master the art of communication!

Volunteer Opportunities

Many of your most loyal supporters might be volunteers. Studies show that 85% of volunteers also donate money to the causes they support, which means they’re already invested in your mission. (Source)

Consider these ways to involve volunteers:

• Invite them to help at community events or fundraisers.
• Offer virtual volunteering for those who can't participate in person.
• Recognize their contributions through a volunteer appreciation event.

Providing chances for people to volunteer is a natural way to keep them involved. Offering a range of roles can make it easier for them to give their time, whether helping with events, offering their professional skills, or supporting in other ways. 

Remember to thank your volunteers just as your donors. A small gesture of appreciation can make them feel connected and more likely to stay involved long-term.

4. Exclusive Donor Experiences

Why not give your donors something special after the giving season to keep them engaged and valued? Offering Exclusive Donor Experiences is one way to do that. 

Donor Appreciation Events

Host an event just for your donors to show them how much their support means. These can be casual gatherings, like a small luncheon or an online appreciation event. 

The goal isn’t to ask for more donations but to celebrate what their contributions have achieved. It gives them a sense of belonging and shows them they are part of something bigger.

Some ideas for appreciation events:

• A special dinner or coffee meet-up with key members of your organization.
• A virtual "thank you" event where donors hear directly from those impacted by their support.
• Exclusive invites to local charity functions or community gatherings.

Surprise and Delight

Add a little unexpected joy and make a huge difference in donor engagement. Consider surprising donors with something thoughtful—a handwritten note, a small token of appreciation, or even an unexpected update on how their donations are making a difference. 

For example:

• Send a surprise thank-you card with a personal note from someone impacted by their donation
• Offer a small gift, like a branded item or a digital badge they can share
• Give them early access to your next event or special content

These gestures may seem small, but they can leave a big impression.

Behind-the-Scenes Access

Another unique way to keep donors engaged is by offering them a look behind the scenes. Let them see how their donations are making a difference firsthand. Whether it's a virtual tour of a new project or inviting them to meet with staff, giving them insider access can make them feel like part of the team.

Here’s how you can offer behind-the-scenes access:

• Organize small group tours to see ongoing projects or facilities.
• Share exclusive videos or updates with special donor-only content.
• Offer personal chats with leadership or program managers.

These experiences create memorable moments and help build a strong connection with your donors. Combined with other donor engagement ideas, these strategies help keep the momentum going and ensure that your supporters remain involved with your mission.

5. Engage Through Social Media

Social media is key in keeping donors connected after the giving Season. Nonprofits have found that platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube are where their causes get the most attention, with Facebook leading the way. (Source)

The right mix of campaigns and interactive content can keep donor engagement high through these platforms.

Social Media Campaigns

A post-giving Season campaign can remind donors that their contributions are still making an impact. A simple, regular update on your nonprofit’s progress or sharing specific stories can keep people interested. 

According to research, 55% of people who engage with nonprofits on social media end up taking some sort of action. (Source) Continuing the conversation on these platforms could lead to more donations, volunteer sign-ups, or event participation.

Interactive Content 

Interactive content is an integral part of your social media campaigns. By asking donors to participate, you invite them into a conversation rather than just providing information. 

Here’s what you can try:

• Polls or quizzes related to your cause make it fun and easy for followers to participate.
• Live Q&A sessions with your team to answer questions or share updates.
• Facebook or Instagram live videos showing the impact of donor support.

43% of people attend or participate in charitable events in their community because of social media. (Source) That’s a huge number, and it shows how powerful interactive content can be in building strong donor engagement strategies.

6. Segment Donors and Customize Your Communications

54% of nonprofits plan to use personalized donor outreach to meet their goals. (Source)

Each donor has a different level of commitment and interest in your cause. That's why segmenting your donors and personalizing your communication based on their relationship with your nonprofit is important. 

Let’s break down how you can do the same with a simple donor engagement plan.

First-Time Donors

First-time donors need a little extra care to feel valued. Send them messages expressing gratitude and showing their contribution's impact is key. You want them to see they’re not just another name on a list. 

To encourage them to give again, follow up with:

• A thank-you message that feels personal.
• A story about how their donation is making a difference.
• Simple steps on how they can stay involved.

Loyal Donors

Your loyal donors are already invested in your mission, but keeping them engaged is vital. Give them something special. Share exclusive updates and behind-the-scenes stories or even invite them to private events. 

Consider:

• Sending a newsletter with insider information.
• Offering invitations to events they wouldn’t want to miss.
• Recognizing their ongoing support in a personal way.

Major Donors

Major donors have put a lot of trust in your nonprofit. They want to know their large contributions are being used wisely. To maintain that trust, focus on direct and meaningful communication. 

Some ways to do this include:

• Providing detailed reports about the impact of their donations.
• Offering personalized updates from leadership.
• Arranging one-on-one calls or meetings to ensure their continued involvement.

Tailoring your messages to these different groups is one of the simplest yet most effective donor engagement strategies you can use.

7. Offer Different Ways to Continue Supporting Your Cause

One of the best ways to keep donor engagement high after giving season is to provide supporters with different ways to stay involved. Not everyone prefers to give the same way, so offering various options can help maintain that connection with your cause. 

Here are a few ideas that can work well for this purpose:

Donation Matching Campaigns

Donation matching is a simple but powerful way to encourage donors to give more. A study found that 84% of donors say they're more likely to donate when a match is available, and one in three people are willing to give a more significant amount if their donation is matched. (Source)

This method is an easy win for both you and your donors, as it doubles the impact without asking anyone to give more directly.

Flexible Giving Options

Flexibility in how and when people give can keep donors engaged beyond a single event. 

Recurring Donation Programs

Recurring donations are a great way to turn one-time donors into long-term supporters. 

The average donor who signs up for recurring giving stays connected to a nonprofit for just over eight years. On the other hand, one-time donors typically stay engaged for less than two years. (Source)

Offering an easy way to set up monthly donations can turn casual supporters into loyal ones.

Legacy Giving

Legacy gifts, or planned donations in a person’s will, can make a huge impact. They now account for over 16% of fundraising and 11% of campaigns. (Source)

While it might not be the first thing donors think of, it's a meaningful way for them to continue supporting your cause in the long term.

Peer-to-Peer Fundraising

Peer-to-peer fundraising is another way to keep donors engaged by allowing them to get directly involved. Did you know that the average peer-to-peer fundraising page gets shared six times, which means donors are spreading the word about your cause? 

Campaigns with small teams of 4-6 people raise four times more money than solo efforts, which makes this a great option for expanding your reach. (Source)

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8. Measure and Adjust

To keep donor engagement strong after Giving Season, it’s important to examine what’s working and what’s not. Measuring success and making adjustments based on real data is key. 

Here are a couple of ways to do that:

Analyze Donor Retention Metrics

Tracking how many donors return each year tells you how effective your current donor engagement strategies are. 

On average, the nonprofit sector sees a donor retention rate between 40% and 45%. So, for every 100 donors who give to your organization in a year, only about 40 will return the next year. (Source) 

Keep an eye on this number to find out if your engagement efforts are strong enough to keep people coming back.

Feedback Loops

One of the best ways to understand why donors return or stop supporting is by asking them directly. Feedback loops are a simple way to get this insight. 

You can use surveys, email outreach, or even quick phone calls to ask donors about their experience with your organization. Ensure they know their input is valuable and will help shape how your organization moves forward. 

Here are a few ways to gather feedback:

• Send a short survey after each donation or event.
• Reach out through a personalized thank-you email that also asks for their thoughts.
• Host small virtual feedback sessions with long-time donors.

Adjust Donor Engagement Strategies

Once you’ve got the data from retention metrics and donor feedback, it’s time to put it to work. Use what you’ve learned to adjust your donor engagement plan. 

For example, if you notice donors responding more to personalized emails than social media posts, lean into that. The goal is to meet donors where they are and keep your engagement strategies aligned with their preferences. 

Small tweaks based on their feedback can keep donors engaged and boost retention rates. Remember, measuring and adjusting doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does require some attention. 

How BetterWorld’s Free Donation Software Can Save You Time and Money

The post-giving season doesn’t have to mean extra work. With BetterWorld’s free donation software, you can simplify your fundraising efforts while continuing to build strong connections with your supporters. 

Here's how BetterWorld helps you raise more funds with less effort:

Seamless Fundraising for Donors and Nonprofits

BetterWorld’s platform makes donating easy for everyone involved. Whether you’re running a year-round campaign or organizing a post-giving season event, donors can contribute with just a few clicks. 

Professional Branding and Customization

Want to keep your nonprofit’s look and feel? BetterWorld allows you to customize your donation page to reflect your organization’s branding. A professional and consistent look keeps your donors engaged and reminds them they support a trusted cause.

Recurring Donations Without the Hassle

Recurring donations are one of the best ways to keep donor engagement strong. BetterWorld makes it simple for donors to set up monthly contributions. 

Flexible and Offline Donation Options

Not everyone gives online. BetterWorld gives you the flexibility to accept offline donations and easily track them. Offering multiple ways to give keeps donors involved in your nonprofit, no matter how they prefer to donate.

Automated Updates and Receipts

Save time with BetterWorld’s automated system. Payments are processed automatically, and receipts are sent out without you lifting a finger. 

100% Free, Always

BetterWorld is completely free to use. Whether you’re a small nonprofit or a larger organization, there are no fees for using the platform. Plus, over 95% of donors cover the credit card fees, meaning more money goes directly to your cause. 

With BetterWorld’s free donation software, you can save time, raise more funds, and keep donor engagement high all year long. 

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