8 ways to serve and keep post-election “rage givers”

Depending on your cause, you may be seeing a post-election influx of new donors. It happened in in 2016, and is likely happening again.

Last time, a handful of organizations got a big windfall of rage-motivated donations. But many of them found many of those donors to be one-time donors.

Rage givers are not just like “typical” donors: Their motivations for giving, their age, their sense of connection with your organizations are different.

And the difference shows up in lower retention. They are less likely than your typical donors to ever give again.

But that doesn’t mean you should give up on them. This post at the ENGAGE Blog: Convert the Next Wave of Rage Donors into Lifelong Supporters can help more of them stay with you:

1. Thank them properly. Be sure to strongly connect with them about their “rage.” Show them you understand and you are putting their values to work in a hard time. Give them reasons to believe their donation will make the difference they hope for. (And encourage them to become monthly givers!)
   
2. Pick up the phone. You will stand out if you call them. This is one of the best ways to bond with first-time donors.
   
3. Mail something memorable. Something handwritten or highly personal. The more you help them remember, the better the chance they’ll keep on giving..
   
4. Add them to your welcome series of emails. Keep talking about the hot-button issues they care about and show them how they can make a difference.
   
5. Respond to their social media posts.
   
6. Educate them about your mission. Let them now what you do and why you do it.
   
7. Send updates. Let them know that their ongoing giving matters, and will continue to matter.
   
8. Encourage action. Encourage the to get involved in ways beyond donating: advocacy, volunteering, events. These things can further bond them.