How to Create an Effective and Enriching Stewardship Plan for Your Nonprofit
Fundraisers and development directors, your donors make your mission possible.
That’s why showing gratitude is essential to keeping donors engaged and inspired to give again in the future. A meaningful stewardship plan is at the center of all successful nonprofits.
This blog is your guide to practicing radical donor gratitude, starting this February and continuing throughout the year. You’ll learn actionable strategies to make your donors feel valued, strengthen their connection to your mission, and grow your revenue.
Plus, I’ll introduce you to two tools to simplify your work: a free Fundraising Focus Planner and a Done-in-a-Day Service designed to make your donor stewardship plan easy and effective.
Why Stewardship Matters for Nonprofits
Gratitude strengthens relationships, builds trust, and keeps donors coming back. Here’s why it’s worth the effort:
Higher Donor Retention: Organizations with strong donor retention strategies have a 60% higher likelihood of meeting their fundraising goals. Donors who feel appreciated are 70% more likely to give again.
Stronger Donor Connections: A sincere thank-you builds trust and fosters a sense of belonging. Gratitude turns one-time donors into long-term supporters.
How to Show Gratitude in February
February is the perfect time to embrace donor gratitude, thanks to its themes of love and appreciation. Here are three ideas to get started:
Report back on impact. Share how donations made a difference in the past year. Highlight milestones, tell compelling personal stories, or include a photo that represents their impact.
Celebrate Valentine’s Day creatively. Send a fun “You’re the Heart of Our Mission” e-card, host a virtual appreciation event to celebrate your supporters or send a heartfelt video message from your team.
Plan for the year ahead. Use February to develop a donor stewardship plan for the rest of the year. Not sure where to start? Download my free Fundraising Focus Planner to organize your goals, campaigns, and donor relationships all from one place.
Use These 4 Stewardship Strategies to Get Started
Use the following strategies to build your stewardship plan. Stewardship doesn’t have to be hard or complicated, but it should be consistent to make an impact.
Use Holidays as Checkpoints
Show appreciation on key holidays like National Volunteer Week or Thanksgiving.
Send personal notes or small tokens to make an impression.
Create a Stewardship Matrix
Engage donors at every level:
Small donors: Send personal thank-you emails.
Mid-level donors: Offer personalized updates or invite them to program tours.
Major donors: Host private lunches or schedule one-on-one video calls.
Automate Donor Journeys
Use email tools to create automated welcome sequences, event reminders, and thank-you messages. This ensures every donor receives timely, thoughtful communication. Learn about my favorite email marketing tools here.
Go Beyond Digital Thank-Yous
Pick up the phone or send handwritten notes. Small, personal gestures go a long way.
Sample Gratitude Timeline
Here’s an example of how you can integrate gratitude into your yearly fundraising plan:
February: Send Valentine’s Day e-cards and donor impact stories.
April: Acknowledge volunteers and donors during National Volunteer Week.
July: Share mid-year updates on program milestones.
November: Craft a Thanksgiving gratitude campaign.
Stewardship Increases Donor Lifetime Value
According to research, nonprofits that invest in stewardship see a 50% increase in average donor lifetime value. Building donor loyalty through consistent and meaningful gratitude sets the foundation for sustainable growth.
Done-in-a-Day Services for Your Nonprofit
Stewardship requires thoughtful planning and implementation, but it doesn't have to be overwhelming. With Sprout’s Done-in-a-Day Service, we’ll work with you to:
Develop and automate donor journeys.
Create a stewardship matrix tailored to your nonprofit.
Ensure every donor feels like the hero they are.
Here’s how it works: You book the day, and Sprout handles the heavy lifting—planning, strategy, and implementation. By the end of our time together, you’ll have a clear roadmap and renewed energy to move your mission forward.
Book a consultation, and we’ll explore how to cultivate your donor relationships and grow your impact.
