Coach Clara: Surprise and delight this summer with a little unexpected stewardship

There are a few easy truths that we all have experienced.  As soon as you buy a replacement cord for that thing you need, the one you “lost” will show up. If you’re in a hurry or running late, your pet will see that as a perfect time to make a mess all over the kitchen floor. But my favorite, and perhaps most universal truth: Summers are just better in Minnesota. 🌞

As the days get longer and we all slow down a little bit, it’s the perfect time to think about connecting with your community of donors. Here’s why summer is the best season for showing some love and attention to those who have shown up for you throughout the year.

First, it’s been about six months since your big year-end appeal, and acknowledgements and tax receipts were sent long ago. That might mean that your audience and donors are feeling more distance from you, and wondering what your organization has been up to. 

Stewardship is all about letting your donors sit in the warm, fuzzy feelings of their gift (no matter how long ago it was!) and a little appreciation can go a long way. Your stewardship impacts both the hearts of your donors, and also makes it more likely that they’re staying engaged and will be excited to support you when your next big ask comes around. 

My biggest tip is to not ask for a single thing during this stewardship practice—not a gift, not more hours volunteering—nada! Sit in the joyful feelings that your donor’s generosity has created, and save the ask for your next targeted appeal.

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to stewardship, but here are some ideas to get you started: 

• A friendly phone call to check in
• A handwritten note
• Invite your donor to coffee or your favorite local ice cream shop
• Behind-the-scenes impact stories
• Start a book club with staff, volunteers, and a small group of donors to learn more about the sector as a whole
• Attend a partner organization’s event together

Summer is the perfect season for stewardship since it gives us a chance to reflect on the year so far and share exciting tidbits about what donors can look forward to. Tell your donors about the amazing things their support has made possible and what’s next on the horizon. And if you’re a person who loves hosting backyard gatherings (such as myself) think about what a summer picnic or open house might look like to celebrate your work together! 

So, soak up the sun and use these relaxed summer days to strengthen your existing relationships. Your donors will appreciate the love, and you’ll be setting yourself up for success later in the year. Happy summer, and happy connecting! 🌳🌺

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Clara Lind is GiveMN's director of coaching. Want to receive individualized fundraising coaching for your organization or to further your professional development? Learn about our RaiseMN offerings and schedule your coaching session! Learn more.

Learn more about and register for RaiseMN's June 12 Learn-Along "Fight the Summer Slump with Stewardship"