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The nature of nonprofit organizations is that they must find funding sources continually. Whether they depend on grants, contracts or foundation support, donations inevitably make up a portion of their funding sources. Encouraging donations and, more specifically, cultivating ongoing support is a big part of the job of the development director and an important part of the organizations financial stability. While there are several donation management software solutions, there are also several ways an organization can personally encourage donors to support:

1.Make it compelling
Carefully chosen words and images are the first step toward grabbing the attention of the reader. It is also important to keep the message positive, despite the serious subject matter. The appeal should communicate both the need and the idea that the need can be met with the support of the reader.

2.Make it easy to donate
It is important to give donors a variety of options for donation, including online and even via text messaging. Giving them the option of making recurring smaller donations via bank or credit card or large annual donations can help to remove the hassle of sitting down to call, write a check or repeatedly fill in credit card information. The easier you can make it, the more likely the individual is to donate.

3.Make giving personal
Many donors prefer to give money to support a specific program or initiative or to provide a sponsorship. Giving donors the option to support aspects of your cause to which they feel particularly connected can encourage higher and even recurring donations. Sometimes these specific programs are special funds and the monies donated can only be used for these purposes and sometimes the special programs or initiatives include language that allows portions of the funds to go toward general operations. It can be useful to explore these options when you are structuring your appeals.

4.Keep your outreach methods current
Getting your message out to potential donors means casting a wide technological net. Email, text messages, interactive websites, as well as using a variety of social media outlets are all part of the outreach efforts being used for effective fundraising. Reaching out to donors and asking them to pass your messages and appeals on through their contact lists is an easy way to expand your database. Keeping your outreach methods current allows you to reach out to donors through their preferred method of contact, whatever that may be and increases the likelihood of a positive response.

Finally, make sure that you thank your donors. Although a stock thank you note is standard practice for any donation, finding more specific ways to show your thanks can go a long way toward securing a subsequent donation. Including pictures of the results of their contribution, anecdotes from participants and any number of other personalized thank you sentiments help to connect the donor to your work and to the effects of their donation.