For many organizations, June marks the end of the fiscal year, while for some others, it marks the midpoint. Regardless of whichever fiscal calendar your organization follows, the activities below are great to do at the midway or ending points of your calendar. I find these activities help usher in the second half of the fiscal year by preparing donors for asks, and will also steward those who have already given. However you frame them, I hope you will find help in the tips below!
Thank donors:
Take the time to personally thank every donor that has supported you so far this year. Whether a short email, phone call, or handwritten note, saying thank you is so important. Be sure to add in a personalized note when appropriate. If your donor volume is high, you can send a personalized thank you note through an email marketing system. Make sure all major donors are personally touched.
Give your data a “spring cleaning”:
Review every record to ensure updated contact information and the most activity is recorded. Go back through your calendar to ensure you logged every donor engagement and meeting.
Build your pipeline:
Identify people you can add to the prospect pipeline. Look at past event attendees, volunteers, names shared with you by board members, or those who participated in leadership briefings during the last few months. Tag them for outreach and follow up. Then create an outreach plan – and stick to it!
Communicate value and impact:
Update development communications materials so that messaging around the value and impact that your organization creates is current. If applicable, be sure to include messaging that highlights any response to the pandemic and social unrest.