Blog

Recently I listened to a webinar filled with statistics.

• Repeat donor retention was down.

• New donor retention was down.

• Lapsed donor recapture was down.

(I was relieved to see overall giving is up slightly! Yay!)

The news made me think about what we can do to change the trajectory of the numbers and build operational security for our organizations.

The answer is stewardship. Intentional, meaningful stewardship can create lifetime donors with a strong attachment to our mission and cause.

Congratulations!You have wrapped up annual giving for 2025. Whether you missed, met or exceeded your goal, it’s time to reset the clock and dive into 2026!Or is it?

Not so fast!

Over the last 12 months you invited hundreds of individuals, businesses and foundations into your amazing story of community need and critical impact.Through letters, posts, displays and conversation you educated everyone who would listen about your organization’s ability to solve problems and invited them to support your great work.

Well done. . .but you’re not done yet.

“It’s possible to save a camp. We need to share that story.” -Gretl Dupré Galgon

Pictured left to right: Tack Hammer, Camp Soles board member and alum; Andy Dillon, Camp Soles Director; Gretl Dupré Gagon, Camp Soles board member and alum; Sue Fletcher, Camp Soles board member and alum; and Michele Goodrich, DBD Group Senior Consultant.