How can you expand your community service fundraising efforts with your existing donor base?

1 Segment your donors

One of the first steps to expand your community service fundraising efforts is to segment your donors based on their characteristics, preferences, and behavior. Segmentation allows you to tailor your communication, appeals, and stewardship to different groups of donors, such as first-time donors, recurring donors, major donors, lapsed donors, or event attendees. By segmenting your donors, you can send them more relevant and personalized messages that resonate with their interests, motivations, and needs. You can also use segmentation to identify and target donors who have the potential to increase their giving level, frequency, or involvement.

3 Upgrade your donors

A third strategy to expand your community service fundraising efforts is to upgrade your donors to higher levels of giving or involvement. Upgrading is the process of asking your existing donors to make a larger donation, commit to a recurring donation, join a giving circle or club, or become a volunteer or advocate for your organization. Upgrading can help you generate more revenue, diversify your income streams, and create a stronger sense of community and ownership among your donors. To upgrade your donors, you need to identify their readiness, interest, and capacity to give more or do more. You also need to make a clear and compelling ask that shows them the impact and benefits of their increased support.

4 Engage your donors

A fourth strategy to expand your community service fundraising efforts is to engage your donors in your programs, events, and campaigns. Engagement is the process of involving your donors in your organization's activities, decisions, and stories. Engagement can include inviting your donors to participate in your service projects, webinars, workshops, or forums. It can also include asking your donors to share their feedback, testimonials, or ideas with you or with others. The goal of engagement is to make your donors feel part of your organization's community and mission. By engaging your donors, you can increase their commitment, loyalty, and advocacy for your cause.

5 Educate your donors

A fifth strategy to expand your community service fundraising efforts is to educate your donors about your organization's goals, challenges, and opportunities. Education is the process of informing your donors about your organization's work, impact, and needs. Education can include sending your donors newsletters, blogs, videos, or podcasts that showcase your achievements, stories, or insights. It can also include inviting your donors to join your webinars, workshops, or courses that teach them more about your cause, sector, or best practices. The goal of education is to make your donors more knowledgeable, confident, and curious about your organization and its mission. By educating your donors, you can increase their trust, respect, and interest in your work.

6 Inspire your donors

A sixth and final strategy to expand your community service fundraising efforts is to inspire your donors with your vision, passion, and values. Inspiration is the process of motivating your donors to support your organization's mission, vision, and values. Inspiration can include sharing your organization's vision statement, core values, or theory of change with your donors. It can also include telling your donors stories, testimonials, or quotes that illustrate your impact, challenges, or aspirations. The goal of inspiration is to make your donors feel emotionally connected, moved, and inspired by your organization and its mission. By inspiring your donors, you can increase their enthusiasm, generosity, and loyalty for your cause.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?