Donation receipts may seem like a task that you don’t want to deal with. They are sometimes thought of as a “necessary evil,” and are required by the IRS. However, their role in tax deductions is not the only purpose they serve. Your donor receipts can serve as another touchpoint to connect with your donors. And that means they’re important for you to pay attention to!

Picture this: You send a beautifully-crafted donation appeal to a prospective supporter who has previously shown interest in your cause. Upon reading the ask, they decide to take action and give to your organization. They navigate to your online donation form (or mail in a check, send a mobile gift, etc.) and provide the required information to submit and process their contribution. They close their browser, return to scrolling through social media, and⁠—now what?

Will they continue giving to your nonprofit and its mission? Or is this the end of the road for that individual? It shouldn’t be; because the optimal donor journey doesn’t stop there.

Social media is an essential tool for nonprofit marketing. According to a study done by Pew Research Center, 72% of the American public uses some type of social media. With numbers like that, not using social media is a huge missed opportunity for an organization. Furthermore, like all of our messaging tools, social media opens another avenue to enhance our fundraising!

Schools have faced serious challenges these past few years. State-level school funding has been at a low and private schools face their own struggles to make ends meet. In order for students to thrive in school, they need important resources like textbooks, nutritious lunches, enriching afterschool programs, and more — but what happens when there aren’t sufficient funds to cover the cost of these resources?

In many cases, the price of critical resources falls on educators. In the 2020-2021 school year, teachers spent an average of $750 out of their own pockets to enrich students' learning. Teachers need more support to provide students with the resources they need to succeed, and students need ample opportunities to reach their full potential.

There's no better way to retain current donors, enjoy sustainable revenue, and increase the lifetime value of your donors than through a monthly giving program.

As a development professional, you invest hard work, time, and careful strategy into every fundraising strategy. It's critical to accurately measure the effectiveness and progress of each strategy. The right tools will help you track progress, gauge your success, and build on the most effective strategies–including your monthly giving program.