We live in uncertain times, with constant social, political, and economic shifts. During the American War of Independence Lord Cornwallis surrendered to George Washington at Yorktown while the British band played the tune “the world turned upside down”. The most powerful army in the world had just been defeated by the American patriots. It must have indeed seemed like the world was upside down.
Today, nonprofit leaders may feel similarly challenged, as the funding and practices they have counted on in the past may no longer be available in the same ways. Whether you work in a nonprofit or volunteer as a board member, navigating uncertainty is part of the job description. Strategic management of resources is key to managing these uncertainties and ensuring your organization’s ability to fulfill its mission.
Surprising and delighting donors after they have given is the intentional practice of providing unexpected positive experiences that go beyond standard acknowledgment and stewardship practices. It is about creating moments of genuine joy, connection, and appreciation that donors were not anticipating.
This enhances your culture of philanthropy because when donors have unexpected positive experiences, it creates a deeper emotional bond with your organization. This emotional connection is crucial because charitable giving is often driven first by the heart, then the head.
Today it can be your most effective tool in breaking through the noise. Many charities send standard thank you letters that start blending together. Unexpected, creative expressions of gratitude help your organization stand out and be memorable.
Like all good intentional practices, finding the most effective way to implement new behaviors and actions can be daunting. One way to support your intentions is to utilize AI* to enhance your stewardship and donor relations.
A good to place to start would be to focus on generating more personalized content for donors.
You could:
Sound daunting? Start with a plan!
Data Organization & Setup (Month 1)
1. Audit existing donor data to identify key data points such as:3. Create donor segments based on:
Content Strategy Development (Month 2)
1. Develop content frameworks for:Testing & Refinement (Month 3)
1. Start with a pilot group (100-200 donors):Implementation (Months 4-6)
1. Monthly Process:Potential Success Metrics:
Integrating AI into your intentional donor relations efforts can help you create more meaningful connections at a scale that will not overwhelm your staff and/or volunteer resources. It can also free staff to focus on the high-touch personal interactions that will truly surprise and delight donors.
The key is to have AI augment, not replace, the human element in donor relations, enabling your organization to deliver more meaningful experiences while maintaining its voice and authenticity.
*Remember: never feed donor or organizational financial data into a public AI tool.