Fundraising trends for major (and minor) donors

What’s the difference between a major donor and a regular donor?

The major donor gives bigger gifts.

Most of the other differences are less important and have more to do with the ways we can afford to cultivate high-dollar donors. We’d do the same strategies for regular donors, except if we did we’d spend more raising funds than they gave.

Here are some observations about major donors from Fired-Up Fundraising. Most of them also apply to regular donors. Top 10 Trends: How Major Donors are Changing and What To Do About It:

1. Donors are wary of trusting us.
   
2. The Boomers are becoming the #1 donor population.
   
3. Older ladies are THE major donor demographic.
   
4. Donors want Donor-Centered communications.
   
5. Major donors who volunteer give more. Much more.
   
6. Major donors are all over social media.
   
7. Major donors look at their gifts as investments. They want to see impact and ROI.
   
8. Major donors are assured when they see the financials and the numbers.
   
9. Like most of us, donors are feeling overwhelmed, jaded, and even bored.
   
10. Major donors love a Big Idea.