It’s tough to be a nonprofit. You put your heart and soul into your work, but sometimes it feels like no one appreciates it. And when it comes time to ask for donations, well… let’s just say things don’t always go as planned. Why is it that people seem so uninterested in donating to your cause? In this post, we will explore five quick reasons why people might not be donating to your nonprofit, and we will provide solutions so you can start generating more revenue!
#1: You’re Not Providing Enough Value
When people are donating to your nonprofit, they want to know that their money is going to a good cause. They want to feel like their donation is making a difference. If you can’t show potential donors how their money will be used, they’re not going to give. Make sure your website and marketing materials are clear about what your nonprofit does and how donations will be used.
SOLUTION: Be clear about what your nonprofit does and how donations will be used. If you can provide numbers to show the impact that you are having around the world or in your niche, that is always going to help! A few different ways to do this would be to write impact stories to show the impact you are having on the world, have written or video testimonials on your website from the people that have been impacted and the people who have partnered with you to have that impact. Social proof is a huge part of building trust and proving that your organization does in fact provide value!
#2: You’re Not Building Relationships
Just like any relationship, the relationship between a donor and a nonprofit takes time to build. You can’t expect someone to just hand over their hard-earned money without getting to know them first. Get involved in your community and start building relationships with potential donors. Attend events, introduce yourself, and get to know the people you want to support your cause.
SOLUTION: Get involved in your community and start building relationships with potential donors. Attend events, introduce yourself, and get to know the people you want to support your cause. If you can show that you’re a real person with a genuine interest in what they’re doing, they’ll be more likely to trust you with their donation to your nonprofit. This approach should be taken online as well. No one wants to be sold to constantly. If you can give value and build relationships in 90% of your interactions, and then ask for something 10% of the time, you will have much more success.
#3: You’re Not Being Personal.
When you’re asking for donations, it’s important to be personal. Don’t just send out a generic letter or email – take the time to write a personal message explaining why you’re asking for support. People are more likely to donate if they feel like they know you and understand your mission.
SOLUTION: When you’re asking for donations, always be personal. Write a letter or email explaining why you’re asking for support and how their donation will make a difference. If you can, include stories or testimonials from people who have benefited from your nonprofit’s work. This will help potential donors see the impact that you are having and how their donation can make a difference. Make sure your emails don’t seem like a template that was sent out to everyone but was personally written from you to the donor. People will dismiss the email without ever reading it if they feel like it is just a mass message to everyone.
#4: You’re Not Making It Easy Enough For People To Donate To Your Nonprofit
Donating should be easy – otherwise, people are going to give up and move on to something else. Make sure your donation process is simple and straightforward, with clear instructions on how to donate. Provide multiple options for giving, such as online, by mail, or in person. It shouldn’t take someone 30 minutes to fill out your form or go through the giving process. If it takes them more than a couple of minutes, you have lost them. Once someone leaves with a bad taste in their mouth, it’s near impossible to get them back!
SOLUTION: If you don’t have someone who is very tech-savvy on your team or access to a developer then you are going to have to use prebuilt systems. To make the process as smooth as possible, you should use a giving platform that is built for donations and not for selling products. This will keep your potential donors from getting confused or having to spend too much time filling out unnecessary details. A simple giving platform that we recommend for nonprofits is DonorBox.
#5: You’re Not Saying Thank You
Always say thank you – it’s just good manners! But seriously, thanking your donors shows that you appreciate their support and helps to build a relationship of trust. Make sure to send personal thank-you notes to every donor, and don’t forget to list their name on your website or in your marketing materials. This will make them feel appreciated and more likely to give again in the future.
SOLUTION: We recommend setting up an automated thank you note that is personalized with whatever email marketing platform you are currently using. Once someone starts donating to your nonprofit on your website or any other platform you are using, you should immediately be adding them to your email list. If you aren’t doing that already…stop what you are doing right now and go make that happen! Once they give and you automatically add them to your email list, you can automate a “welcome” message that will personally (call them by name) thank them for their donation and let them know how much impact it is going to have. No matter how you do it, always send a personal thank-you note to every donor. This simple act of appreciation will go a long way in building relationships with your donors and keeping them coming back. Whatever method you choose, make sure your donors know that you are beyond grateful for their support! The second they don’t feel “thanked” enough, is the second they stop giving because they will just feel like they are becoming nothing more than an ATM to your organization.
By following these tips, you can start generating more interest and have new donors donating to your nonprofit. Just remember: building relationships takes time, so be patient and stay focused on your mission. With a little effort, you’ll be well on your way to meeting (and exceeding) your fundraising goals! If you want to take another step in the right direction checkout this article on how you can optimize your nonprofits website for better conversions .
As always, if you need any help getting started with online giving, our team is here to support you. Just contact us and we’ll be happy to chat!