Programme Details

DAY 1: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22 | THE 4 PILLARS OF DONOR RELATIONS

9:00 AM CT | Introduction: Roadmap to the 4 Pillars

9:15 AM CT | Pillar One: Acknowledgments

A good acknowledgment is about more than just saying, “thank you.” In this session, we’ll teach you how to craft expressions of gratitude that will surprise and delight your donors. We’ll discuss gift acceptance and receipts, thank you letters, pledge reminders, behavior-based thank you’s (e.g., first-time donors), and more.

10:30 AM CT | Break
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10:45 AM CT | Pillar Two: Stewardship and Reporting
Discover unique ways to show donors the true impact of their generosity. Demonstrating transparency and remaining donor-focused are key. We’ll discuss broad-based and individual impact reports, how to prioritize your work based on audience and resources, and the components that go into an effective report.
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12:00 PM CT | Lunch Break
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1:00 PM CT | Pillar Three: Recognition
Events, giving societies, public displays—there are many ways to recognize donors (even some you should avoid). We’ll discuss what to keep, what to leave behind, and how to create meaningful experiences that will make lasting impressions, and leave donors wanting more.

​2:15 PM CT | Break

2:30 PM CT | Pillar Four: Engagement
A donor is engaged once they are emotionally invested and committed to an organization. In this session, we’ll show you what it takes to get them there. We’ll share examples and ideas that you can implement at your organization to connect donors to your mission and turn them into loyal supporters.
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3:45 PM CT | Wrap-Up & Q&A

4:30 PM CT | One-Day Conference Ends
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DAY 2: THURSDAY, MARCH 23 | HALF-DAY WORKSHOPS

​9:00 AM – 12:30 PM CT
Fund Reporting/Stewardship Workshop

​1:30 PM – 5:00 PM CT

Donor Communications Workshop​

​DAY 3: FRIDAY, MARCH 24 | THE 4 PILLARS OF THE DONOR EXPERIENCE

9:00 AM CT | Introduction: The 4 Pillars of the Donor Experience

9:15 AM CT | Pillar One: Knowledge
Knowledge is power. Knowledge of our donors, their preferences, and their experiences isn’t strange or unnerving — it’s expected and mutually beneficial. Imagine how much more could be accomplished if there was an overall understanding and mindset that encourages consistent and positive data behavior.

What you will learn:

Passive and active intelligence and data to further understand your donors

How to identify information gaps in your donor knowledge and techniques to fill these gaps

Techniques for defining your strategies and priorities both in the short- and long-term​

​10:30 AM CT | Break

​10:45 AM CT | Pillar Two: Strategy

Strategy isn’t simply a list of tasks that need to be undertaken in order to deepen the donor relationship. Strategy is charting a thoughtful path forward with the donor. Defining and outlining this journey is essential to success. Action with no strategy maintains the status quo.

What you’ll learn:

Strategies to increase donor retention such as ask-to-thank ratios, reporting impact of donations at all levels, and more

How to reshape communications in a donor-focused mindset using actionable intelligence

How to identify stop/start activities (what can stay and what must go) in order to reprioritize new efforts into your workload

​12:00 PM CT | Lunch: Roundtable Discussions (Lunch is included in your conference registration)

1:00 PM CT | Pillar Three: Culture

Culture focuses on empowerment, excellence, and gratitude to help define your organization’s interactions with donors. An expectation of excellence is a behavior and application of a set of standards. During this session, we’ll uncover the startling power and dynamic of gratitude-based living. Living and practicing gratitude both internally and externally can transform relationships. It’s more than just thank you notes, it’s a lifestyle.

What you’ll learn:

How to create a culture of gratitude at your organization that will lead to both short- and long-term success

Healthy power dynamics and whose role it is to demonstrate gratitude at your organization

Best and next practices—as well as common pitfalls in gratitude

How to swap out traditional donor recognition for inclusive methods of gratitude that will ultimately affect the fundraising bottom line

2:15 PM CT | Break

2:30 PM CT | Pillar Four: Emotion

Emotions are at the center of the donor experience and are behind why donors give, why they remain loyal, and why they ultimately leave. There are many emotions that inspire donors to give—joy, sadness, anger, belief, nostalgia—the list goes on. The most successful nonprofits tap in to those emotions and convert them into action.

What you’ll learn:

How to infuse your communications with these same emotions for maximum impact and ROI in your fundraising and relationship efforts

Techniques for fixing a broken donor relationship and making it fruitful again in the future

How to craft extraordinary donor experiences that are one of a kind and allow a donor’s generosity to shine

3:45 PM CT | Wrap-Up & Q&A

4:30 PM CT | One-Day Conference Ends