February: Donor’s Love Language
Do you know your donors' love languages?
Every donor wants something different when it comes to feeling "loved" and it is important to curate your offerings to fit your donors' love languages.
Empowered Nonprofits creates a communication plan that tailors not only to your organization's needs but also to the needs of your donors and February is the perfect month to consider love languages.
Author Gary Chapman wrote the famous book "The Five Love Languages" which speaks to the five ways people express and experience love. These five methods can be translated from romantic partners, to the workplace, and to donors!
So, what are the love languages?
Empowered Nonprofits dives into The Five Love Languages: Donor Edition!
Words of Affirmation
Words of Affirmation is about giving praise and acknowledging your donor through words. Express gratitude to your donor by writing a handwritten letter or schedule a donor thank-a-thon once a year to call all of your donors!
Acts of Service
This donor feels loved when you can help them accomplish one of their own goals. Helping them in a small way - can go a long way! Provide sample language they need to reach out to their contacts, spend time role playing with them before they go into a prospect meeting, or conduct research on their donors before they take their precious time conducting solicitations.
Physical Touch
How can this one translate to a professional relationship? The core of this love language has an emphasis on the act or expression of a physical gesture as a way to provide comfort to the recipient. So, consider sharing a handshake, a post-Covid fist bump, or hug -- when appropriate - the next time you see them!
Receiving Gifts
This love language is based on thoughtfulness through the giving of an item. The physical token is a representation of your appreciation and it is always something tangible. Send your donor organization swag with your logo on it, send each guest home with a swag bag from an event, or provide your honoree with a surprise gift when you formally recognize them.
Quality Time
Spending time together is most important when it comes to this love language - so make an effort to see this donor in person! Take them for dinner, invite them to your events, or ask your donor to serve as a volunteer or on an active committee. It will give you a chance to get to know each other more and will lead to your goal of creating a deeper connection.
