Annual giving has been an important part of the nonprofit infrastructure, but it’s also a major contributor to overhead that often eats away at margins. However, you don’t have to let your margins dwindle as donations pour in. We will discuss tips for increasing your annual giving margins and boosting your organization’s bottom line.

1) Show Your Appreciation Locally

Donors aren’t just interested in donating money to your cause; they also want their donations to be appreciated and acknowledged. But one of the best ways you can show appreciation is by donating yourself! If there’s some form of local media coverage for an event or fundraiser that benefits your nonprofit, make sure to write a letter to the editor that explains what your organization does and how it’s benefiting people in need.

2) Share Your Testimonials

If your nonprofit has received positive feedback or testimonials from former clients, sharing those in your communications is great to encourage future donors. Donors want to know that their donations will go towards something worth it, and showing them how they’re helping makes all the difference!

3) Don’t Forget the Social Media

Social media is a great way to increase your annual giving margins, but it can also be an easy way for you to lose them! Over-sharing on social media or not using colorful images that grab attention will have people scrolling past or unsubscribing quickly. If you’re going to use social media as part of your annual giving campaign, make sure you do it right!

4) Complement Your Annual Giving Campaign with Other Fundraising Activities

One of the best ways to improve your annual giving margins is by complementing it with other fundraising activities. Whether you’re hosting a special fundraiser, selling items that benefit your nonprofit, or holding an event like a gala – having multiple opportunities for donors to give will result in higher overall donations.

5) Make it Personal

When donors contribute to your nonprofit, they want their donations to be personalized in some way. So instead of sending out a generic appeal letter or email that’s mass-mailed with no personalization whatsoever, send something specific! A great example is including the name and story of someone who benefited from your organization’s services so potential donors can see what their donation will go towards.

These are just a few simple tips to help you boost your annual giving margins and fundraising overall. Don’t let another year pass by with minimal returns on your investment in the nonprofit sector; try some of these out for yourself today.