August 6, 2024 | DonorPerfect Conference
Earlier this summer, we hosted our annual free, virtual conference centered around helping fundraisers find and share their spark. Topics included igniting leadership within nonprofits, fundraising ethics, donor motivation and engagement, and how to put fundraising best practices into action. “Sounds great!” you might think, “If only I could conjure up two free days to catch up on all of the conference videos I missed!” While we can’t grant you the power to freeze time, we certainly can help you save it. We asked our favorite AI tools for summaries and key takeaways from the conference and ideas for how nonprofits can implement these ideas over the next 30, 60, and 90 days. Skim through the quick summaries below, and if anything catches your attention, there are links so you can dive deeper.
Key themes and messages
Fundraising technology and integrations
Sessions emphasized how connecting separate systems helps streamline nonprofit operations, improve data accuracy, and facilitate better decision-making. Highlights include:
Cultivation and stewardship
Several sessions focused on the significance of building and maintaining strong relationships with donors through personalized communication, understanding donor preferences, and using data to tailor interactions. Highlights include:
Efficiency and automation
Sessions highlighted automation and ways to reduce one’s workload by increasing operational efficiency. Automated processes in reporting, donation tracking, and communication allow staff to focus on strategic activities. Highlights include:
Data-driven decision making
Analyzing donor data to identify trends, segment donors, and tailor communications can enhance engagement and improve fundraising outcomes. Sessions underscored ways to use data to inform fundraising strategy, leverage donor data for creative segmentation, and track key performance indicators (KPIs). Highlights include:
Storytelling and donor engagement
Crafting compelling narratives that resonate with donors’ values and interests can have a profound impact on fundraising success. Session highlights include:
WOW. WOW. WOW so much great stuff. Hardest part will be figuring out where to start tomorrow in implementing all the improvements we can make!
– Jennifer, Disability Resource Association
30-60-90 day action plan
What do you do with all of these takeaways? Here’s a sample plan for applying lessons learned from the conference, all while keeping your current operations running smoothly. Try using it as a template!
Days 1-30: Assessment and initial implementation
Objective: Assess current systems, initiate integrations, and start improving donor communications.
1. System assessment and integration initiation:
- Task: Evaluate current fundraising and finance systems.
- Action: Identify any existing silos and inefficiencies.
- Outcome: Detailed report on system gaps and a plan for integration.
- Tools: Your DonorPerfect system and other software you use for fundraising tasks.
2. Donor data review:
- Task: Conduct a comprehensive review of donor data.
- Action: Clean up and segment donor data for personalized communication.
- Outcome: Updated and segmented donor database.
- Tools: The Clean Data Checklist
3. Initial training and onboarding:
- Task: Train staff on new integration tools and data entry best practices.
- Action: Schedule training sessions with vendors and internal experts.
- Outcome: Staff becomes proficient in using new tools and maintaining data integrity.
- Tools: The DonorPerfect Learning Center
4. Continuous improvement and learning:
- Task: Design and launch an initial donor communication campaign.
- Action: Use the DonorPerfect Fundraiser Bot to craft personalized emails.
- Outcome: Increased donor engagement through targeted communication.
- Tools: Constant Contact, included with all DonorPerfect systems!
Days 31-60: Deepen system integration and enhance donor engagement
Objective: Continue system integration, enhance reporting, and foster deeper donor relationships.
1. Complete system integration:
- Task: Finalize the integration between fundraising and finance systems.
- Action: Work with IT and vendors to ensure seamless data flow.
- Outcome: Fully integrated systems with real-time data synchronization.
- Tools: Your DonorPerfect system and other software you use for fundraising tasks.
2. Advanced donor segmentation and targeting:
- Task: Implement advanced segmentation strategies.
- Action: Use donor data to create targeted campaigns for different donor segments.
- Outcome: More effective and personalized donor outreach.
- Tools: Constant Contact email + text + marketing
3. Enhanced reporting setup:
4 Storytelling and content creation:
- Task: Develop compelling stories and content for donor engagement.
- Action: Use storytelling techniques to craft engaging donor communications.
- Outcome: Improved donor retention and engagement through emotional connection.
- Tools: The DonorPerfect Fundraiser Bot
Days 61-90: Optimize processes and scale efforts
Objective: Optimize all processes, measure outcomes, and scale successful strategies.
1 Process optimization:
- Task: Review and refine all implemented processes.
- Action: Identify bottlenecks and areas for improvement in workflows.
- Outcome: Streamlined processes with higher efficiency and accuracy.
- Tools: Regular team reviews, process mapping, DonorPerfect’s SmartActions automation features.
2 Measure and analyze outcomes:
- Task: Assess the success of integrations and campaigns.
- Action: Use reporting tools to measure engagement, donations, and ROI.
- Outcome: Comprehensive analysis of outcomes to guide future strategies.
- Tools: DonorPerfect’s SmartAnalytics.
3 Scale successful strategies:
- Task: Identify and expand on successful campaigns and processes.
- Action: Roll out best practices across the organization.
- Outcome: Broader implementation of effective strategies and increased fundraising success.
- Tools: Documentation of best practices, organization-wide training, regular review of the Comprehensive Donor Analysis Report.
4 Continuous improvement and learning:
- Task: Establish a culture of continuous improvement.
- Action: Schedule regular training sessions, feedback loops, and strategy reviews.
- Outcome: Adaptive organization that continuously evolves to meet donor needs.
- Tools: Regular training programs, feedback surveys, free development resources including The Nonprofit Leadership Workbook for Women.
Ignite the Spark of Leadership at Your Nonprofit with our keynote speaker, Kishshana Palmer!
Watch It Now
No matter how much time you can dedicate to learning, the DonorPerfect Community Conference has practical takeaways for you. Every little improvement adds up to a big difference, and the DonorPerfect team is here to support you in your fundraising success!
DonorPerfect fundraising software helps nonprofits raise more for their mission. In fact, nonprofits raise 25% more funds in their first year with us, with many seeing results in just the first six months. Want to see it for yourself? Sign up for a demo today!
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