Ben Stroup

Seth Godin recently posted: “No New Customers.” He raised a very important question: How would our approach to customers change if we knew that we would never gain another customer? The answer is we would treat them like kings and queens. We would listen, engage, interact, and plan according to their needs to ensure they are so satisfied that they would never entertain an offer to move their business elsewhere.

Lori Jacobwith rightly translates this into the nonprofit world with her post: “Ten Ways to Increase Donor Retention.” She asks the question, “What might your organization do differently if you knew for certain the donors you have are the only ones you are ever going to have?”

My friend, Tom Roepke, knows the importance of saying thank you. He lived it as a development professional for many years and now as a church staff member. Tom believes it is key to fostering lasting relationships with church members.

He says, “It’s very simple and painless except for the loss of a few minutes time. Take the time and make a phone call, send a text or Facebook message, write an e-mail to key leaders and stakeholders in your area of influence. Just say “thank you.” Even a short handwritten note – while it maybe old-school – can leverage your relationships and influence in a major way.”

Treat the people who financially support your church in such a way that THEY know you couldn’t do it without them. It will be the best “game-changing” church funding exercise you’ve ever experimented with…ever!