Making Donor Stewardship A Game We All Win
This powerful, easy, fun activity creates an atmosphere of board engagement at your fundraising events, performances, and any gathering where board members and supporters of your organization are present. It’s an effective tool that deepens engagement with both your board AND your donors.
If you feel overwhelmed at the idea of creating a donor stewardship plan because you are a small shop, have tons of donors, or are new in your fundraising position, you’ll love using this activity at your next event.
Donor stewardship = the relationship-building process that occurs after a donor makes a gift.
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- Provide each board member with the names of up to three supporters who are attending the event. These can be donors, volunteers, anyone who has done something in support of your organization.
- Invite each board member to “find” the people on their list at some point during the event.
- Have your board member personally thank each person on their list for whatever they’ve done — once they’ve found them.
- Invite board members to listen carefully to learn something new about each person they “find” during their scavenger hunt.
- Make it easy for each board member to report back to you that they completed their task AND to share what they learned so you can enter the details into your database for future reference.
The impact is two-fold:
-
- Board members feel useful, with a true purpose at your events.
- Supporters feel “seen” and acknowledged…something you can never do enough of.
When you make this a regular “standard operating procedure” for ALL events you have the foundation for building a more engaged community.
Remember: The main purpose of stewarding a relationship with your donors is to inspire them to give again. When a connection has been established with your supporters you deepen their feelings of loyalty to your organization and the important work you do.
It’s a stewardship tool to use often, at any event throughout the year.
Bonus points for making it easy for your board members to share your MemoryFox QR code to collect video feedback, photos or quotes from the people on “their list.”
About the Author
Lori L. Jacobwith
Founder, Ignited Fundraising
The sweet spot of her work is to help organizations put a face on their impact by sharing inspiring, ethical mission moment stories. For more than 35 years Lori has had a laser focus on helping nonprofit staff & board members implement fundraising solutions that put ease and joy into raising money. To date, she’s helped nonprofit organizations raise more than $500 million. Public speaking & training remain her passion in her quest to fulfill her personal mission of helping as many nonprofit organizations as possible exceed their annual fundraising results.
The main purpose of stewarding the relationship with your donors is to inspire them to give again. To create a connection with your supporters to cause them to feel a deep loyalty to your organization and the important work you do.
Board Scavenger Hunt 
Prior to the fundraising event, performance, or meeting follow these five simple steps:
-
- Provide each board member with the names of up to three supporters who are attending the event. These can be donors, volunteers, anyone who has done something in support of your organization.
- Invite each board member to “find” the people on their list at some point during the event.
- Have your board member personally thank each person on their list for whatever they’ve done — once they’ve found them.
- Invite board members to listen carefully to learn something new about each person they “find” during their scavenger hunt.
- Make it easy for each board member to report back to you that they completed their task AND to share what they learned so you can enter the details into your database for future reference.
The impact is two-fold:
-
- Board members feel useful, with a true purpose at your events.
- Supporters feel “seen” and acknowledged…something you can never do enough of.
When you make this a regular “standard operating procedure” for ALL events you have the foundation for building a more engaged community.
Remember: The main purpose of stewarding a relationship with your donors is to inspire them to give again. When a connection has been established with your supporters you deepen their feelings of loyalty to your organization and the important work you do.
It’s a stewardship tool to use often, at any event throughout the year.
Bonus points for making it easy for your board members to share your MemoryFox QR code to collect video feedback, photos or quotes from the people on “their list.”
