New Article Alert!: Stewarding First-Time Donors
New article + introduction to co-author + Kendrick Lamar/Drake beef = Pumpkin-Spiced Substack Deliciousness
I’m pleased to announce that an article I co-wrote with a colleague has recently been published in the latest issue of the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Advancing Philanthropy.
“But Dan! My AFP subscription just lapsed and the article is behind a paywall! How can I read it?” Worry not, sweet reader. I’ve linked to it multiple times below and am borderline obnoxious about it.
The article is titled, “Helping First-Time Donors Become Lasting Philanthropic Partners” and I co-wrote it this summer with a smart colleague named Caitlin.
Introductions are in order.
A few things to know about Caitlin:
Hometown: Gahanna, Ohio. (Motto: “If you can say banana, you can say Gahanna!”)
Volunteerism: Ronald McDonald House and food insecurity causes
Years working together: 5 years (we actually started on the same day, believe it or not)
Navy call-sign: Dog Pound. So named because she’s a Browns fan (by marriage)
Number of favors Dan owes Caitlin: 1,000
Number of favors Caitlin owes Dan: -10
Hobbies: Husband, baby, Kendrick Lamar
October book recommendation: To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers. (Caitlin’s hot-take: “I’m not usually a sci-fi reader but I loved it. A thoughtful look into ethics and relationships.”)
Unfun fact: Struggles to differentiate her left from her right during high-pressure situations
The prevailing theme and question of the October issue of Advancing Philanthropy is “Sign It, Live It: How are we living out our ethics?” From the website:
In our article, we make the case that fundraisers should implement stewardship plans with first-time donors that emphasize their newfound involvement with an organization rather than just their financial investment. We explain the need to personalize stewardship with first-time donors to foster a sense of acceptance and belonging that creates the ties that bind donors to organizations over the long term.
If you didn’t click above, don’t worry! It hasn’t gone anywhere. You can still check out the article, “Helping First-Time Donors Become Lasting Philanthropic Partners”
S I D E B A R
Too many Fundraising for Breakfast readers have turned to yours truly to explain the Kendrick Lamar/Drake hip hop feud and what consequences their beef has for local fundraising (in general) and global philanthropy (in specific). Below, Caitlin sets the record straight:
“This feud goes back a decade. The 2010s were an amazing time for hip hop. It’s also when we see Kendrick and Drake each have their own explosive rises to the top, and by 2013, they start taking shots at each other as the new king of hip hop. But, this summer took it to another level.
What started as bars and barbs about who was on top escalated overnight, with an onslaught of near-daily releases of scathing attacks and deeply personal allegations. Did this feud go too far? Probably. But, did we get some amazing music from it? Absolutely.
As far as I can tell, Dan, this feud has had minimal impact on either fundraising or philanthropy. Sorry.”
We hope you have a chance to read the article posted above and maybe learn a thing or two about engaging with first-time donors. Some of our most interesting conversations around writing this article were about communicating differently to different donors who want to have a different kind of relationship with us.
It was fun to think about, fun to work on, fun to learn from each other, and we hope you’ll find it fun to read.
Third time’s a charm, waffle-eaters. I leave my attempts to Beetlejuice you into reading “Helping First-Time Donors Become Lasting Philanthropic Partners” to you and your conscience.
As always, thanks for tuning into Fundraising for Breakfast!
First off, Caitlin and Dan, congratulations on your article. Very interesting and easy to understand. So much more goes into fundraising than I was aware of. Secondly, Caitlyn, your son is gorgeous, and I apologize for MY son’s cannibalistic tendencies. He really was brought up better than that. I feel that not enough attention is given to right/left dysphoria. I have spent way too much time making the “L” sign with my left hand. And don’t even get me started on east/west. 🐯
That’s very kind of you. Thank you!