Strategic Donor Engagement to Increase Giving Retention-Presentation

Presentation

Pdf Summary

The document from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (2025) focuses on strategic donor engagement to improve giving retention, highlighting efforts and insights from Texas State University’s donor and alumni engagement leaders. It addresses the critical challenge of donor retention amid campaign success, emphasizing that while many donors give for the first time during campaigns, sustained connection determines future giving.<br /><br />Key reasons donors leave include excessive solicitations, lack of genuine gratitude, poor impact reporting, weak communication, and lack of personal connection. Conversely, donors stay when thanked promptly, see meaningful impact, feel part of a cause, and have positive interactions with institution members. The "Rule of 7" underlines the importance of multiple meaningful touchpoints.<br /><br />A "One Team Philosophy" coordinates Alumni Engagement, Annual Giving, Donor Engagement, Communications, and Development to create a cohesive donor experience through regular meetings, integrated messaging, collaborative events, and continuous evaluation.<br /><br />Priority donor segments—first-time donors, young alumni, mid-level donors, and lapsed donors—receive tailored multi-channel communications such as texts, emails, postcards, and personalized surveys across a 12-month engagement timeline. Innovative tools include virtual AI-driven engagement and digital giving platforms, yielding considerable fundraising results and donor renewals.<br /><br />Best practices indicate the need to identify high-risk donors, coordinate engagement touchpoints, add experiential elements, and suppress excessive solicitations during engagement periods. Success is measured by donor retention rates, number of touchpoints, additional gifts, and integration of alumni engagement metrics.<br /><br />Overall, donor retention improves with intentional, structured engagement centered on positive donor experiences and cross-team coordination, ensuring ongoing giving beyond initial donations. This strategic, data-driven approach is adaptable despite changes in team structures, maintaining effectiveness in fostering lasting donor relationships.

Keywords

donor retention

strategic donor engagement

Texas State University

donor and alumni engagement

Rule of 7

One Team Philosophy

multi-channel communications

AI-driven engagement

fundraising best practices

cross-team coordination