donorcontact

Donorcontact is the ongoing process by which a nonprofit, charitable organization, or philanthropic entity communicates with current and potential donors to establish, maintain, and deepen relationships. It encompasses the collection and organization of donor information, the planning of outreach, and the coordination of messages across channels.

The main purpose is to acknowledge gifts, communicate impact, invite participation in programs and events, and pursue ongoing or increased giving. Effective donorcontact supports stewardship, improves donor retention, and helps align fundraising efforts with donors’ interests and values.

Practices typically rely on donor management systems or customer relationship management (CRM) tools to track contact history, giving records, communication preferences, and consent. Outreach may include personalized emails, handwritten notes, phone calls, mail, text messages, social media, and invitations to events, all tailored to lifecycle stage.

Privacy, consent, and regulatory compliance are central to donorcontact. Organizations must manage opt-in and opt-out preferences, secure personal data, and adhere to applicable laws and ethical guidelines governing fundraising and data protection. Transparent reporting of how gifts are used is also recommended.

Best practices include segmenting donors by giving history and interests, providing timely acknowledgments, and impact updates, and maintaining a consistent, respectful tone. Staff and volunteers should be trained in privacy, data handling, and donor-centered stewardship.

See also donor management, fundraising, donor lifecycle, and CRM systems.