Donors are like God's for non-profits and so they must be worshipped 🙂. However, this has to be done with evidence based reporting that shows the positive social impact of their donations. The first necessity is a detailed annual report. This has to be supplemented with frequent reports on social media of ongoing activities and their impact. Additionally, there should be engagement through commenting on other posts by nonprofits and funding agencies so that more people come to know about the work done by the non profit. Finally, the form 10BE downloaded from the IT portal must be provided to the donors in time so that they can file their returns and claim tax deduction for their donation.

At Ninebee Foundation, we’ve found that the key to navigating donor relationships lies in transparency and purpose. There are minimum people on salary. Only for the free ambulance. The core members are all working professionals and we ourselves contribute over 80% of the funds, with all transactions audited and no cash handling involved. Our mission is simple: keep doing good unconditionally. We serve with integrity, recognizing God’s presence in all, and offer the best we can with the resources we have. By building relationships rooted in honesty and a genuine desire to help, we earn the trust of our donors, ensuring a partnership based on shared values, not personal gain.

Managing donor relationships is crucial for any non-profit’s success: - Consistency: Donor engagement shouldn’t be limited to campaigns. Engage consistently through newsletters, events, and volunteer opportunities to keep them connected to your mission. Leverage Technology: Use a CRM to track interactions, ensuring no donor is overlooked. Automate reminders for follow ups, birthdays, and giving anniversaries. Deepen Engagement: Offer opportunities beyond funding like advisory or committee positions to deepen their engagement and strengthen their investment. Take a long-term view: Build a relationship with donors based on shared values and goals. Don’t focus solely on the next donation - think about how to nurture a lifelong partnership.

To improve donor relationships in your non-profit, focus on clear and consistent communication. Share substantial achievements regularly and ensure timely reporting. Strive to have success stories featured in donor newsletters. Prioritise vulnerable groups in line with donor focus and always meet donor requirements. Ensure their visibility (with permission) in your communication materials and social media. Most importantly, align your projects with donor priorities, as well as national and global frameworks. This will foster trust, ensure long-term partnerships, and maintain alignment with donor expectations.

In any small project, it’s crucial to be absolutely vigilant about donor updates. By effectively monitoring and evaluating the current project and sharing those updates with donors, we can ensure that their investments feel worthwhile. Regularly communicating progress, successes, and challenges demonstrates transparency and builds trust, making donors more likely to engage with us in future projects.