4 Ways to Maintain Donor Engagement During COVID-19

pexels-andrea-piacquadio-3799124Executive directors, fundraisers and other nonprofit employees, we know that you’re in unfamiliar territory this year. The impact that COVID-19 will ultimately have on the sector is still unknown, but what we do know is that you are all taking on these unprecedented times with ingenuity, creativity, strength and resilience.

These difficult times have brought an even greater need for nonprofits and the services they provide. So, when times are tough and meeting in-person is no longer an option, how can nonprofits continue to engage donors? Here are some tips:

  1. Embrace Virtual. While not all of your donors will be super tech-savvy, there are ways to safely maintain communication with all of your donors. This can include Zoom meetings to update donors on the status of projects or changes to your organization, individual phone calls to personally connect with donors, email communications that are segmented to reach specific groups of donors (you can use ResultsPlus to segment your donors!), social media to update the masses about what your nonprofit is doing and how you’re adjusting, or hosting webinars on specific topics that may be of interest to your donors.
  2. Get your nonprofit’s executives involved. Your donors will feel especially important if your CEO or executive director is the one reaching out to them. It’s crucial that they hear leadership’s take on the current situation and their long-term and short-term plans. They can send out an email, write a letter that can be posted on your website and social media platforms, host a virtual town hall, or even host Zoom calls with top donors.
  3. Get creative with events. Just because they’ve been cancelled in person doesn’t mean you can’t still host a kick-butt event! Host virtual galas, walks/runs, educational conferences and seminars, silent auctions or anything else your creative juices can cook up! This keeps your donors engaged and involved, and your nonprofit top-of-mind.
  4. Check in on your donors. Some of your donors have a higher risk of contracting COVID-19 than others. As the pandemic rages on, make sure that you keep those touchpoints going with those donors who may be high-risk. You don’t need to make an ask, just give them a ring to check up and see how they’re doing and thank them for their support over the years. If you’re using ResultsPlus, you can find and even create a group of these donors who may be more at-risk and keep track of your communications with them.

We’re constantly amazed at how nonprofits are faring during this time. We appreciate all you do and are here to support you as you continue to support our communities. Have questions about ResultsPlus and how it can help you fundraise more effectively and manage your donors during the pandemic? Reach out to us at success@resultsplussoftware.com!