The ongoing practice of thanking, updating, and engaging donors so they feel valued and continue to give.
Donor stewardship is the set of practices a nonprofit uses to care for donors after a gift is made. It includes prompt and sincere thanks, transparent reporting on how funds were used, and ongoing communication that makes donors feel like genuine partners in the mission.
Good stewardship is the foundation of donor retention. Donors who feel appreciated and informed are far more likely to give again, increase their giving, and eventually consider larger or planned gifts. Stewardship is distinct from cultivation: cultivation builds toward a gift, while stewardship deepens the relationship after one.
Strong stewardship depends on knowing each donor's history and preferences, which is why a reliable nonprofit CRM is essential for tracking interactions, acknowledgments, and giving milestones over time.
See it in Kindly
The percentage of donors from one period who give again in the next, a core measure of fundraising health.
A written thank-you and receipt a nonprofit sends a donor to recognize a gift and document it.
The process of building a relationship with a prospective donor to prepare them for a future gift.
A structured process for guiding a prospective major donor through a series of intentional steps toward a gift.
Manage donors, volunteers, members, and events together in one nonprofit platform, for one predictable subscription with no cut taken from donations.
