Fundraiser Retention: How To Hold Onto Your Star Fundraisers

A great fundraising strategy focuses on engaging supporters and encompasses three main phases:

1. Acquisition
2. Activation
3. Retention

Today, we are going to focus on – RETENTION. Once you have activated your supporters and motivated them throughout your campaign, what do you do at end of your peer-to-peer fundraising campaign?  How can you make sure to hold onto your star fundraisers?

This is a great question, one that your nonprofit will need to consider!

Once you have recruited participants and given them the tools needed be amazing fundraisers, you want to ensure they’ll come back to fundraise for your nonprofit again the next year!

Retaining a participant has extremely high value for your nonprofit. Returning fundraisers know your event, are passionate about your cause, and have experience in asking for support.  Not only can they can boost the funds raised they can also boost the confidence of other fundraisers in your group. If you have returning and experienced fundraisers who can impart knowledge and wisdom to new or inexperienced fundraisers, you’ve struck gold! 



 So what should your retention efforts involve? It starts with two very simple words. THANK YOU.



FUNDRAISER RETENTION – HOW TO KEEP YOUR FUNDRAISERS COMING BACK FOR MORE
 
Here are some tips on how to approach your fundraiser retention plan.  

• Treat your fundraisers like a major donor, and steward them in similar ways. Your fundraisers a donor of a very special breed.  Not only are they likely giving money (by donating to their own efforts) – they are giving their all.  We all know giving is more than money, and these fundraisers are giving their time, effort, energy and voice to your cause.  Spend time cultivating relationships with fundraisers, the same way you would with someone who has donated $1,000. Afterall, when a fundraiser brings in $1000, they’ve likely also brought several new donors to your organization in addition to they money raised.
   
• If your campaign is centered around an event, consider organizing a pre-event event. For example, if you’re hosting a run or walk, throw a pre-race pasta dinner, a picnic at a park or a gathering at your organization’s space. This will give your top fundraisers the time to meet you, feel the energy of the other fundraisers and supporters, and feel connected to the cause. Organize the event in a convenient location for your fundraisers, and ask sponsors to donate food. Create a welcoming space for your fundraisers where they can meet other participants, share the experience of training and fundraising, and bring along a friend or a family member to support them as well.
   
• On event day, find a way to provide VIP treatment for VIP fundraisers – provide water or other snacks, a sitting space or lounge for your fundraisers, and encourage them to spend some time visiting your with your staff on their big day.
   
• Highlight your best fundraisers on social and be sure to tag them and their fundraising page.  Consider featuring top fundraisers in your newsletter, on your blog, or on your website.  Snap photos on event day and share to social media - encourage your fundraisers to share also using any associated event hashtags, as well as to tag your nonprofit’s Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.
   
• Ask for feedback. These individuals have just invested a ton of time and energy to your cause.  They will be a great source of information to help you evaluate how to do even better in the future.  Ask for their feedback, and make sure you listen and make changes as needed.  Consider ways you can involve them in the planning for the following year.
   
• Make sure you recap your event and follow up with your fundraisers after your campaign wraps up, providing information about total funds raised, as well as the impact the funds will make for your cause. Check out some suggestions on post-event communications here. 
   
• Stay in touch with your fundraisers through out the year.  Consider reaching out periodically to check in, share relevant information, or just let them know you’re thinking about them.

There are so many ways you can ensure your fundraisers want to keep coming back for more.  At the end of the day, it's all about making sure they know how much you appreciate them, and letting them feel and see the impact they're making.

Good luck and we can’t wait to see all the amazing things you and your fundraisers accomplish!