The Future of Fundraising is Customization

Recently I went to a lecture about the future of technology and science in society and walked away with an overall theme. The future is about customization. This is easily observed when you look around.

Customization is in every part of your life, whether you realize or not, and has been considered under the name targeting audiences, before Amazon and Facebook revolutionized the integration of the ads you see. We're so clear in our opinions, it really makes it easier to customize selling points to your particular preferences in life. 

What does this have to do with fundraising and you? You need to realize the fact that every person, every donor, every potential financial partner you interact with has come to expect a baseline of customization in nearly every interaction they receive.

So, how can you customize fundraising?

1 - Your Emails

Take 2 seconds to put in the person’s name at the top, address them, paste in your beautifully worded update or ask, and end with a warm, personalized closing.

2 - Your Phone Calls

Use a personalized opener about their family, but keep it short if you’re calling for a purpose other than catching up.

3 - Your Regular Updates

Write a personal little note in the top corner of a mailed update; it may be the only part of the update a they actually read with care.

4 - Your Envelopes

Take one evening to hand address your mailed newsletter envelopes. You’re significantly more likely to get it opened!

Paying attention to the details of customizing your donor’s experience with you and the ways they are impacting the world will allow you a more sustainable funding partnership, hands down.