058 - How Do We Turn One-Time Donors Into Lifelong Supporters?

Stop Losing 70% of Your First-Time Donors: The 90-Day Game Plan That Changes Everything

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You're doing great at attracting new donors, but here's the brutal truth: most nonprofits lose 70% of first-time donors who never give a second gift. If this sounds familiar, you're literally watching potential lifelong supporters slip through your fingers—and missing out on massive revenue.

What if there was a proven system to flip those numbers?

In this episode, host Jeremy Reis reveals the 90-day cultivation journey that transforms one-time donors into committed supporters. You'll discover why the first 90 days after someone's initial gift is the make-or-break period that determines whether they'll support you for one year or twenty years.

You'll learn the exact 7-step sequence that successful organizations use:

• The 24-hour acknowledgment that makes donors feel truly seen (not just receipted)
• The one-week impact report that shows their specific gift in action
• Why personal connection within 30 days skyrockets retention rates
• The "insider access" psychology that creates belonging
• When and how to make that crucial second ask

Real results: One animal shelter used this system to boost their retention rate from 17% to 25% in just one year, with retained donors giving 40% more in their second year.

Perfect for: Development staff and nonprofit leaders who are tired of the "acquire and pray" approach to donor cultivation.

Featured: Angela from a Richmond food pantry who brought in 800 new donors but kept only 12%—and the specific strategies that can turn her numbers around.

The bottom line: Stop treating donors like transactions and start treating them like the lifetime partners they could become. This episode gives you the exact roadmap to make it happen.