I surveyed 50 nonprofit boards about fundraising.
The struggling organizations had "fundraising boards."
The thriving ones had "ambassador boards."
The distinction matters. Effective board fundraising isn't about asking—it's about connecting:
• Boards focused on "making the ask" report 27% lower participation rates
• Boards trained as ambassadors engage 4X more donors through their networks
• Organizations with ambassador boards raise 3X more than those with traditional fundraising boards
One organization reframed board fundraising as "sharing passion" instead of "asking for money" and saw 100% board participation for the first time in 15 years.
The most effective fundraising boards don't sell—they share.
How do you engage your board in fundraising? Share your approach.
Your case for support is boring.
Not because your mission isn't important.
Because you're writing for committees, not humans.
Here's what every case statement includes:
⦿ History of the organization
⦿ Impressive statistics
⦿ List of programs
⦿ Credentials and awards
⦿ How funds will be used
Here's what donors actually want:
⦿ What changes if I say yes?
⦿ What breaks if I say no?
⦿ Why me, why now?
⦿ Who else believes in this?
⦿ What happens after I give?
The case statement that raises money
reads like a invitation to adventure,
not an annual report.
Try this instead:
𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘁
Paint the world you're building,
not the history you're preserving.
𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹
Use "you" more than "we."
They're the hero, not you.
𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁
Opportunity expires, not hope.
FOMO beats obligation every time.
𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗺, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱
Winners attract investment.
Losers attract pity.
𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
They're not buying services.
They're building legacy.
One client rewrote their case.
Removed every committee word.
Told one powerful story instead.
Their campaign goal? Exceeded by 40%.
Your case for support shouldn't sound professional.
It should sound unstoppable.
When did you last read yours out loud?
Welcome to the Future of Fundraising.
The Virtual Engagement Officer is still less than 6 months into engagement with its very first donors, but in those short few months, Version2 has gathered thousands of data points that allow us to better understand the impact of Autonomous Fundraising.
My team has begun to analyze this data and the first question we set out to answer was: How is donor behavior shifting? Are donors giving more? Are current donors renewing? And most importantly, are lapsed donors reactivating?
The results are in, and they reveal a significant transformation:
·15% of the donors who have given under VEO management were SYBUNTs and lapsed, already well ahead of the 5-10% industry average of recapturing lapsed donors, proving that the right engagement strategy can bring donors back.
·21% of total giving, over $100k, are gifts coming from these re-engaged lapsed donors, highlighting a renewed commitment.
·30% of donors have increased their giving since working with the VEO. This increase alone totals over $151k in gifts to our Innovation Partner organizations.
The fact that 15% of donors and 20% of gifts are coming from re-engaged lapsed donors is more than just a statistic—it’s proof that autonomous fundraising can combat the industry-wide trend of relying on fewer donors each year. Past supporters are ready to reconnect if given the right opportunity. Bringing donors back into a cycle of regular engagement both restores their giving status and re-establishes their long-term commitment to the organization. This is particularly important with donors who have the capacity for future major giving. It directly impacts their lifetime value and warms them for future major gift conversations.
These numbers make one thing clear: digital labor is redefining the future of fundraising. By leveraging AI-powered engagement, automation, and data-driven strategies, we are transforming how we manage donor relationships, build pipeline, and ensure lasting donor connectivity. Fundraising teams now have a path to scale outreach, personalize interactions at unprecedented levels, and drive meaningful engagement—without increasing the human workload.
We are just getting started. If you’re considering strategies for SYBUNTs and lapsed donor engagement, my team and I welcome the opportunity to connect with you to learn more, and stay tuned as we continue to analyze and share more insights into the data in the coming week.
An appeal isn't just a request for donations—it's about creating experiences that donors treasure. It's crucial to understand that we're not asking donors to support our mission; instead, we're aiding them in fulfilling their vision of a better world. Here’s how we make donating a joyful and meaningful act:
1. 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞: Shift the focus from needs to highlighting opportunities for donors to make significant changes in the world.
2. 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: Provide donors with intimate insights and special access to see the impact of their contributions firsthand, making them feel like integral parts of our journey.
3. 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Move beyond standard acknowledgments. Customize your gratitude to reflect the unique impact of each donor’s contribution.
4. 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: Share powerful stories that illustrate the direct results of their generosity, portraying donors as the heroes of these narratives.
We have the power to transform giving into an enriching experience, elevating our donors from mere supporters to valued partners in a shared mission. By engaging donors meaningfully, we celebrate and support their aspirations to improve the world.
Your Impact Report is Probably Boring (And It's Costing You Donors)
One approach puts donors to sleep. The other opens wallets. Which are you choosing?
Effective storytelling in impact reports is key. Here's how to do it:
Start with a Hook:
Before: "We provided 10,000 meals last year."
After: "Maria turned our food bank into a stepping stone for her family's future.”
Use the "Before and After" Technique:
Before: "Our job training program had a 75% success rate."
After: "John went from homeless to homeowner in 18 months. Here's how our program made it possible..."
Incorporate Sensory Details:
Before: "We built a new playground."
After: "Where there was once an empty lot, kids now laugh and play. The bright red slides and yellow swings have brought new life to the neighborhood. Parents chat on nearby benches, watching their children make new friends and create lasting memories.”
Showcase Donor Impact:
Before: "Your donations helped us achieve our goals."
After: "Because of supporters like you, Sarah received the life-saving surgery she needed. Here's a letter from her family..."
Use Data Visualization:
Before: "We increased literacy rates by 40%."
After: [Include an infographic showing a child's journey from struggling reader to honor roll student, with key stats along the way]
End with a Clear Call-to-Action:
Before: "Please consider donating."
After: "For just $50, you can provide a month of tutoring for a child like Tommy."
How to implement this:
☑️Identify your most compelling success stories
☑️ Gather quotes and personal anecdotes from beneficiaries
☑️Collect before-and-after photos or data points
☑️ Craft your narratives using the techniques above
☑️ Test different versions with a small group of donors
☑️ Refine based on feedback and roll out your new, story-driven impact report
𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗶𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗱𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀.
𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆’𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗱𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀.
For many nonprofit board members, the idea of “reaching out to their network” triggers discomfort. Not because they don’t believe in the mission - but because, to them:
Outreach = Asking friends for money.
But what most organizations need first from their board is not a donation request. It’s an introduction.
➡️ A quick conversation to share why they’re excited about the mission.
➡️ A pulse check to see if the contact might be interested in learning more.
➡️ And if there’s a spark, a warm handoff to the right staff person - major gifts, development, or corporate partnerships - to take it from there.
Here’s how fundraisers can make this work:
🔹 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝘀𝗸: Don’t say, “Can you ask your contact for a gift?”
Instead: “Would you be willing to share what excites you about our mission and see if they'd like to meet our team?”
🔹𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝘅𝘁: Share 1–2 sentences board members can use. Make it conversational, not canned. (“I’ve gotten involved with an organization doing incredible work in [area]. Thought it might be worth a quick intro if it sparks your interest.”)
🔹 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝗹𝗼𝘄-𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲: Emphasize that the goal is exploration, not solicitation. Let the development team guide the next steps, when appropriate.
🔹 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁: A simple intro can unlock significant support - not just financial, but connections, visibility, and community impact.
At the end of the day, board members joined because they care. Helping them see that introductions are an extension of their passion - not a pitch - can put them at ease.
What’s worked for you in encouraging board engagement in donor or partner outreach?
#fundraising#nonprofits#nonprofitboards
P.S. An exercise I just went through with one of my clients, after we identified potentially aligned businesses to reach out to, was to research the board of directors for each of those companies and compile a list of names and bios that the Executive Director could share with the nonprofit board simply to see if there were any connections.
Before it was about getting donors to write checks. Now it’s about involving them in your ecosystem. Here’s 5 steps to get started today:
You’re not just fundraising anymore.
You’re onboarding stakeholders.
If you want repeatable, compounding revenue from donors, partners, and decision-makers, you need to stop treating them like check-writers…
…and start treating them like collaborators in a living system.
Here’s how.
1. Diagnose your “center of gravity”
Most orgs center fundraising around the mission. But the real gravitational pull for donors is their identity.
→ Ask yourself: What is the identity we help our funders step into?
Examples: Systems Disruptor. Local Hero. Climate Investor. Opportunity Builder.
Build messaging, experiences, and invites around that identity, not just impact stats.
2. Turn every program into a flywheel for new capital
Stop separating “program delivery” from “fundraising.”
Your programs are your best sales engine
→ Examples:
• Invite donors to shadow frontline staff for one hour
• Allow funders to sponsor a real-time decision and see the outcome
• Let supporters “unlock” bonus services for beneficiaries through engagement, not just cash
People fund what they help shape.
3. Use feedback as a funding mechanism
Most orgs treat surveys as box-checking. But used right, feedback is fundraising foreplay.
→ Ask donors and partners to co-define what “success” looks like before you report back.
Then build dashboards, stories, and events around their metrics.
You didn’t just show impact.
You made them part of the operating model.
4. Make your “thank you” do heavy lifting
Thanking donors isn’t the end of a transaction. It’s the first trust test for future collaboration.
→ Instead of a generic “thank you,” send:
• A 1-minute voice memo with a specific insight you gained from their gift
• A sneak peek at a challenge you’re tackling and ask for their perspective
• A micro-invite: “Can I get your eyes on something next week?”
You’re not closing a loop. You’re opening a door.
5. Build a “Donor OS” (Operating System)
Every funder should have a journey, not just a transaction history.
→ Track things like:
• What insight made them first say “I’m in”?
• Who do they influence (and who influences them)?
• What kind of risk are they comfortable taking?
• What internal narrative did your mission fulfill for them?
Then tailor comms, invitations, and roles accordingly.
Not everyone needs another newsletter but someone does want a seat at the strategy table.
With purpose and impact, Mario
Most donor segmentation is cosmetic.
Different ask amounts.
Different names on the letter.
Same message. Same mistake.
Here’s the truth:
A $25 donor isn’t a junior major donor.
They’re motivated by different things.
They need a different experience.
Here’s how smart fundraisers segment:
𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁
They give because it feels good.
So show them what their gift did—fast.
𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗹𝘆 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱
They’ve said, “I’m with you.”
Now treat them like insiders.
𝗠𝗶𝗱𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗻
They’re testing you with that gift.
What happens next decides everything.
𝗠𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗲𝗱
They don’t fund programs.
They fund outcomes that match their values.
𝗟𝗮𝗽𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱
Not guilt-tripped.
Just reminded why they gave in the first place.
Segmentation isn’t about slicing a list.
It’s about shaping the experience.
The best fundraising strategies don’t just know who gave.
They know why.
How are you speaking differently to each type of giver?
3 donor emails that aren’t “asks” but still bring in donations
We all know the direct asks matter.
But some of the most effective emails I’ve helped send aren’t official campaigns or appeals.
They’re moments of relationship.
Here are 3 types of emails that donors seem to love and that often lead to surprise gifts:
⸻
📬 1. The “We Did the Thing” Email
Subject: We just finished it. Thank you.
You promised to build a playground / fund a program / send kids to camp.
This email says: We did. Because of you.
Photos. A quote. A short paragraph. That’s it.
People love seeing the result of their generosity.
📬 2. The “Saw This and Thought of You” Email
Subject: This made me think of you.
It might be a story from the field. A note from a beneficiary. Even a newspaper article.
You send it to 1–5 specific donors with a personal sentence like:
“You’ve always cared about ___, and this reminded me of you.”
It’s not a pitch. It’s a connection. And it works.
📬 3. The “No Reason but Gratitude” Email
Subject: No ask. Just thanks.
A short note that simply says:
“We’re so grateful for you. No updates, no links—just gratitude.”
I do this quarterly. You’d be amazed how many people hit reply with:
“How can I help?”
Fundraising is more than asking.
It’s paying attention.
It’s following up.
It’s letting people feel the difference they make.
Which of these have you tried or would you add a fourth to the list?
Your major donor just called and listed out all of their frustrations. You won't like what they had to say.
It wasn't about money. It wasn't about competing priorities. It wasn't about the economy.
It was about you.
"They never told me what my gift accomplished," they said. "I gave $25,000 and got a form letter thank you. Then nothing for eight months."
"When I finally called to ask about impact, they couldn't give me specifics. Just vague statements about 'helping the community.'"
"I realized they didn't see me as a partner. They saw me as an ATM."
‼️ The organizations losing major donors aren't victims of donor fatigue. They're victims of donor neglect. ‼️
Your major donors don't leave because they can't afford to give. They leave because you can't afford to care.
Pull up your major donor communications from the last year. For each donor over $10,000, ask:
👉 Did they receive specific impact reports tied to their gift?
👉 Did someone call them personally within 3-5 days?
👉 Did they get invited to see their impact firsthand?
👉 Did you ask for their input on organizational direction?
If you answered "no" to any of these, you've got a problem.
The most successful major donor programs I work with treat donors like investors, not transactions:
👉 They provide quarterly impact reports with specific outcomes.
👉 They invite donors to strategic planning conversations.
👉 They offer behind-the-scenes access to programs and leadership.
👉 They ask for advice, not just money.
Your major donors aren't leaving because they don't care about your mission. They're leaving because you don't care about them.
Fix your relationship problem before you blame donor capacity.
Because in fundraising, how you treat donors after they give determines whether they'll give again.