3 Powerful Donor Engagement Examples to Inspire Your Fundraising

At the US Fundraising Congress, I spotted three simple—yet mighty—engagement tactics that nonprofits are using right now. They’re actionable, effective, and easy to replicate. Check them out 👇

1️⃣ Webinar Tracking

Host a webinar with your CEO or another key leader. Track who attends; showing up is a huge indicator of commitment.

• Send attendees the recording plus a personalised thank‑you.
• Use attendance data to identify prime prospects for deeper cultivation.

No hard stats yet, but expect engagement lifts similar to the next tactic.

2️⃣ Board Thankathons

Within 48 hours of a gift, have board members call donors just to say “thanks.” No ask—just gratitude.

📈 Organisations saw retention rates
hundreds—even thousands—of percent higher among donors who got a call.

Can’t reach them live? A voicemail isn’t quite as strong but still packs a punch.

3️⃣ One‑Question Surveys

Send donors a single, laser‑focused question—e.g., “Which part of our work matters most to you?”

• Response rates may be modest, but even 10 % of 1,000 donors gives you 100 rich data points.
• Answers both enrich your CRM and make supporters feel heard.
• Use responses to tailor future outreach—for example, segment emails by stated interest.

Why These Work

Each tactic is:

1. Simple—no fancy tech required.
2. Personal—taps into human connection.
3. Data‑driven—gives you actionable insights for smarter fundraising.

💡 Your Turn

Seen other engagement wins? Drop your favourite ideas to my inbox—fellow fundraisers would love to hear them!