Nonprofit Adviser

Dana Smith for The Chronicle

My colleague Lisa Schohl’s most recent article provides detailed guidance on how to create an annual donor-engagement plan. As Lisa writes, we all know how important it is to keep in touch with supporters, but it can be hard to do that well without a plan. Plus, this year is a presidential election year when news cycles are noisier and capturing attention is harder.

So this year, a smart plan that lays a strong foundation for year-end fundraising will be more important than ever.

Lisa spoke with a variety of experts who outlined key steps to take and things to consider when crafting a donor-engagement strategy for 2024.

As Lori Woehrle, editorial director of Leapfrog Group, told Lisa, it’s best to start with the end in mind, “including what you want to achieve and by when, which audiences you need to reach, and what milestones you should hit along the way.” And be sure to tie your goals to your strategic plan, says Chrissey Nguyen Klockner, chief of staff at Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School in Washington, D.C. This will ensure that you are working toward top organizational priorities and crafting consistent messages to donors.

Lisa gathered a dozen actionable tips to help you take your donor outreach — and their connection to your work — to the next level. Read Create a Smart Annual Outreach Plan to Keep Donors Close — and Boost Giving to get all of them.

You may also want to read this related article from our archives:Annual Donor Communication Plan to Boost Year-End Results.

Have a good week,
Margie Fleming Glennon
Senior Director, Product Strategy

When working with a corporate sponsor on a fundraising event, set key performance indicators to measure success. Marijke Vandergrift, associate director of sponsorship at SickKids Foundation, suggests defining key performance indicators at the outset so that, post-event, you can report what the company received for its investment, such as impressions of social-media posts, signature cocktails served, or the reach of ads. Be sure to capture photos of sponsors’ guests, signage, and activities at the event to include in your reporting. For more advice on how to build strong relationships with corporate supporters, read Savvy Ways to Land Corporate Support for a Fundraising Event — and Build Deeper Ties.

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Social Justice: The Nathan Cummings Foundation is a multigenerational family foundation working to help create a more just, vibrant, sustainable, and democratic society by supporting social change movements, organizations, and entrepreneurs. NCF is currently accepting applications for grants and program-related investments that align with the following interconnected focus areas: racial justice, economic justice, and environmental justice. Grants range from $50,000 to $250,000 for grants and program-related investments from $200,000 to $500,000. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until April 30.

School Gardens: The Whole Kids Foundation is dedicated to improving children’s health and wellness through their nutrition. The Foundation’s Garden Grant Program provides support to schools and nonprofit organizations in the U.S. and Canada to turn outdoor spaces into hands-on learning gardens that connect kids with food, spark their curiosity, and support classroom curriculum. Grants are $3,000; applications accepted Feb. 1 to March 1.