We can’t believe it — it’s already December. The time of the year that calls for delicious hot chocolate (or eggnog) and endless marathons of your favorite Christmas movies. After all, ‘tis the season to be jolly.

2023 has been a year full of learning for the advancement space. We wanted to combine some of our learnings of the previous year and share a list of strategies that advancement teams can use for fundraising success in 2024.

Without further ado, here are our recommendations to increase donor engagement and giving.

1. Planning for Targeted Campaigns:

‍Extend your planning horizon by incorporating specific, targeted campaigns for different donor segments. Identify key fundraising periods and strategically plan initiatives tailored to the interests and preferences of diverse donor groups.

2. Data-Driven Personalization for Effective Appeals:

‍Dive deep into your CRM data to personalize fundraising appeals. Tailor messages based on individual donor histories, preferred names, and specific areas of interest. Use data insights to create highly personalized and effective communication strategies.

3. Segmented Strategies for Donor Engagement:

‍Uncover the power of donor segmentation within your holistic donor tool. Develop specific engagement strategies for major donors, recurring donors, and new donors. Showcase case studies highlighting how targeted approaches yield higher engagement and increased contributions.

4. Engage Your Donors as Early as Possible:

‍Cultivate success by engaging your earliest potential donors right from the start. Personally reach out, sharing your vision and inviting them to be pioneers in supporting your cause. Offer exclusive insights into upcoming projects, fostering a sense of ownership. Early engagement not only secures initial contributions but also sets the stage for broader community involvement, ensuring sustained success throughout your campaign.

5. Gamification for Donor Engagement:

‍Infuse a sense of fun into your donor engagement strategies. Consider incorporating gamification elements into fundraising initiatives, turning contributions into interactive experiences. Showcase success stories of organizations that successfully turned fundraising into an enjoyable and rewarding journey.

6. Interactive Visuals for Digital Platforms:

‍Embrace the interactive potential of digital platforms. Consider utilizing features like interactive infographics, videos, or virtual tours to engage donors. Ensure your visual content adapts seamlessly to various digital channels, providing an immersive and consistent brand experience.

And that about wraps it up. This is (probably) our last blog post for the year, so until next year!

Make sure to check out our advancement spotlight page for more success stories and industry insights for all your advancement and alumni related needs

We hope you have a wonderful Christmas and New Year 🤗!