One of the interview questions we always ask donors is whether they feel satisfied with the way in which our client organization solicits, acknowledges, and recognizes their gifts. Responses vary – from people who feel well connected and appreciated to those who only hear from the organization when they are asked for money once a year.

The Montana donors we interviewed each answered the question the same way, and it was an answer we don’t expect these days. The collective response went like this: “We don’t wait to be asked. The need is so great and the organization is so important, we just give as much as we can, as often as we can.”

Back to Anne Frank’s tree. This past week, wind, rain and disease felled this venerable tree that comforted a young girl hiding from the Nazis. Eleven prized cuttings from its branches were sent around the world. The news reminded me of a quote from young Anne that has captured pure generosity for generations: “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”

Today more than ever, nonprofit organizations need to build relationships through which they communicate with their donors frequently and meaningfully. What a wonderful thing when those dialogues inspire giving that doesn’t “wait a single moment,” and is offered with the joy Anne Frank felt when she looked out her window.

As you begin a new season of fundraising, what inspiring donor stories do you have to share? Let us know. We’d love to be able to share your stories with a wider audience.

Yesterday, I pulled my mail out of the box and found a solicitation from this organization. Really? I just gave to you two weeks ago and you’re asking again already? If I give again today, will you ask again in two weeks? I was annoyed and the letter went straight into the recycling.

Last night, as I was preparing dinner, I got a call from the advocacy arm (PAC) of a nonprofit I support. I listened to the caller’s spiel patiently while I chopped carrots and radishes even though I had already decided that I would not be supporting the PAC because I was focusing my gift on the nonprofit and couldn’t do both right now. When she finished, I explained why I wouldn’t be giving to the PAC and steeled myself for the inevitable, “But THIS effort is really important, too, and you should support both.” But you know what she said? She said thank you. She said, “Oh, you are? Thank for supporting our organization. We really appreciate your support. You have a nice night now.” I was taken aback. She didn’t push and ask for an additional gift? Yahoo! Thank you, organization, I appreciate you listening to me. Next time, I will consider increasing my gift.

AFP came out with a great story on this topic today. Read it here.

Historically community colleges have focused their fundraising strategies on special events, corporate partnerships, and for some, faculty and staff giving.  However, this is changing as more colleges recognize the untapped potential in their alumni base.   Says Tracey Palmer in the March 2010 issue of Currents, the journal of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), “community colleges are enjoying a rare moment in the limelight right now.”   In that same article, Stuart Grover, chairman emeritus of The Collins Group, is quoted as saying “The good thing about fundraising at community colleges is that there is no typical donor, and everybody is a prospective donor.”

CASE members can read the full article and check out national community college success stories here.

Additional resources for community colleges can be found at the American Association of Community Colleges website.

And click here to purchase Grover’s recently published book “Getting the Green:  Fundraising Campaigns for Community Colleges”.

Last year, a representative from my sorority’s foundation contacted me. She was coming to Seattle and wanted to meet me while in she was in town to let me know about this great new program they have. I’ve been a regular, though unspectacular, donor and have always intended to get more involved with the organization, but haven’t. When I met Lauren for coffee, I was surprised at how much research she had done on me. I realize this sounds naïve coming from someone in the industry, but I just thought she wanted to meet and maybe get me to volunteer for something, I didn’t realize that I had been flagged as a donor prospect worthy of a personal visit. I was flattered and so pleased to be considered in this new “young donor go-getter” category, that not only did I make a five-year pledge to the foundation (my largest gift to anyone ever), but I volunteered to plan an event for other young donors in the near future and invite all my alumna friends. Well, would you look at that – now I’m engaged on several levels.

Last week, I received a call from a local children’s theatre asking me to give to their scholarship program. The caller was informed, friendly, and persuasive. He knew that I was a season ticket holder and asked me my opinion on the four plays I’d seen with my son. He also knew that my son had attended winter break camp at the theater and thanked us for getting involved in the education programs – and from there he moved smoothly into explaining why my support of the scholarship program would allow other children access to plays and educational programs. Would I consider a gift of X? I hesitated – it was more than I wanted to give right now. He countered with would I give half today and the remainder in equal payments over the next two months? Could he charge my credit card that they conveniently have on file? Can he send me a voucher for two tickets to their currently showing play to thank me? Well, when you put it that way, yes, yes, and yes. He got his gift when they needed it; I feel good about helping other kids experience live theater, and my boy and I are seeing an extra play this weekend!

I understand there are stats and data to consider and relationships to carefully be cultivated, but if you make your donor feel relevant and special they’ll give to you. It worked on me.

But I have a big beef with my college. Their donor communications to me (eNews, eBlasts, event notifications) and phone solicitations are all geared toward remembering my storied undergraduate experience.

Remember living in the dorms? Nope. I lived in a crappy apartment across the river with my singer/songwriter/poet boyfriend (Hey, it was the 90s and I was in my 20s. Seemed like a good idea at the time.) Remember that bar that everyone hung out at? Nope. We grad students had no money and if we did, we hung out at that other bar – the one where the grad students hung out. Remember Parent’s Weekend/the freshman mixer/classes at the…NO! I don’t remember because I had none of those experiences.

Don’t call me to ask for a gift that is three times the amount of my last one (and what’s your rationale for that?) and invoked the new theatre complex and dorms as a reason I should give. I was in the graduate writing program – doesn’t it say that in my record? Ask me to give to the graduate school, the School of the Arts, or, even better, the Department of Writing, Literature and Publishing. Because that’s what I care about; that was my experience.

I don’t want to give my college a gift because it is clear that they haven’t considered the best way to approach me. I know I give small gifts – but I still want to feel special; like they know me.

Later this week I’ll post on an organization that made me feel special – and in return, inspired me to give my first significant major gift.

What does this all mean for the nonprofit community, and fundraisers in particular? Well, Millennials have started to come of age and enter the workforce. Soon they’ll have disposable income, and the capacity to start giving philanthropically (or increase the giving they already do). This group has spent a lifetime being bombarded by messaging everywhere they go, meaning it will be more important than ever to keep their priorities and characteristics in mind when developing your key messages and determining meaningful opportunities for engagement with your organization.

How in touch are you with the Millennials? The fine folks at Pew created a quiz to go along with their report. Not surprisingly, the quiz has already become a Facebook sensation (how do you think I heard about it?).  Being a child of the 80′s, I got a score of 97.  How do you stack up?

Click the link below to watch the video:

http://www.501videos.com/mm2009/10/mm_2_pledges.html?awt_l=DH1HV&awt_m=1ZjoVgwZ1mSBtP

While talking with my wife (who diligently opens all of her mail) about my behavior, it occurred to me that many nonprofits might make the same assumption about their donors – with the newsletters, invitations on Facebook, direct mail appeal letters, etc. that their donors are all engaged investors. 

So, while there are people like my wife, who you can count on to read their mail – there are also many who you simply cannot count on.  What does this mean to your organization?  In short – it demonstrates that there is nothing quite as important as opportunities for face-to-face interactions with your donors.  It also underscores the value of your fundraising volunteers leveraging their personal connections to invite donors to events, briefings, etc.  Only with that personal connection, can your organization be brought to the top of the priority list.

Fundraising expert Penelope Burk as much as confirmed this with hard data in her blog entry “A Fundraising Catch 22” http://www.cygresearch.com/burksblog/?p=205 It’s a must read for your volunteer fundraisers.