Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: Program Development • Budget Allocation • Community Outreach

Donor Retention

Term from Nonprofit Organizations industry explained for recruiters

Donor Retention refers to the ability of a nonprofit organization to keep donors giving year after year. It's similar to how businesses keep customers coming back, but for charitable giving. This is a crucial skill because getting new donors costs much more than keeping existing ones. People who work in donor retention focus on building relationships with donors, tracking giving patterns, and creating strategies to encourage ongoing support. You might also see this referred to as "donor relationships," "donor stewardship," or "donor loyalty."

Examples in Resumes

Improved Donor Retention rates by 25% through personalized thank-you campaigns

Developed Donor Retention strategies that increased recurring giving by $50,000 annually

Led Donor Stewardship initiatives resulting in 80% Donor Retention rate

Created Donor Loyalty programs that enhanced Donor Retention across all giving levels

Typical job title: "Donor Relations Managers"

Also try searching for:

Donor Relations Specialist Development Officer Stewardship Coordinator Donor Engagement Manager Annual Giving Manager Development Manager Fundraising Specialist

Where to Find Donor Relations Managers

Professional Associations

Online Communities

Job Boards

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you develop a comprehensive donor retention strategy for our organization?

Expected Answer: A senior candidate should discuss analyzing current retention rates, developing personalized communication plans, implementing recognition programs, and measuring success through specific metrics. They should mention both short-term and long-term strategic planning.

Q: Tell me about a time you turned around declining donor retention rates.

Expected Answer: Look for answers that demonstrate leadership, data analysis skills, and successful implementation of new programs. They should include specific examples and measurable results.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What strategies do you use to keep donors engaged throughout the year?

Expected Answer: Candidate should discuss various communication methods, donor appreciation tactics, and ways to show impact. They should mention specific examples from their experience.

Q: How do you track and measure donor retention success?

Expected Answer: Look for familiarity with donor databases, understanding of key metrics like retention rate and lifetime value, and ability to use data to inform strategies.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What do you think are the key elements of a good donor thank-you program?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate understanding of timely acknowledgments, personalization, and different ways to show appreciation based on giving levels.

Q: How would you handle a donor who has stopped giving?

Expected Answer: Should show basic understanding of donor reactivation strategies, appropriate communication methods, and the importance of finding out why the donor stopped giving.