Best Practices
Best Practices for Donor Cultivation
Collected ideas from the Kansas Arts Commission’s Fundraising Basics Workshops
November 30 and December 3, 2007
Telling Your Story
- Tell your story in books, websites, print items that showcase how the donations are used.
- Find a champion for your cause. Make sure the person is a good communicator.
- Get your city involved in promoting your programs.
Donor Identification
- Have board members host an exclusive event for their guests. Then add those names to organization’s list for cultivation.
- Send an invitation to a special event, even to first time and small donors.
- Invite key donors to submit a list of friends who could contribute. Invite key donors to bring friends to events.
- Invite other communities/groups to “own” a project.
Donor Cultivation and Solicitation
- Research before you go to any donor.
- Make special, personal, ongoing visits to build relationships with donors.
- Be creative when soliciting and thanking donors.
- Be specific when making your ask and upfront about what the money will do.
- Solicit matching corporate gifts.
- Give a special gift.
- When soliciting pledged gifts, maintain ongoing relationships with donors by inviting them to participate in events.
- Involve donors in decisions.
- Speak to donors about annuities and planned gifts.
- Create trust and comfort with your donors by ensuring their gift went where they expected it to go.
- Connect with the donor’s interests in creating a legacy.
- Do the unexpected; be creative.
- Identify the right person to make “the ask” for different levels of donations (make sure you match peers with peers).
- Remember that donor cultivation can lead an unexpected gift.
- Cultivate those interested in community quality of life.
- Begin your campaign with stewardship.
Special Events
- Have performers perform at private parties.
- Hold an auction.
- Hold a special event like a dinner theater.
Donor Recognition
- Recognize donors for what they did/ gave.
- Recognize donors in personal ways.
- Give thank-you gifts to donors at specific level
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