Let’s face it, every church or nonprofit has supporters who go quiet. Some People once gave joyfully but haven’t shown up in your donation reports for a while. But here’s something most fundraising experts agree on: It’s easier (and cheaper) to reconnect with lapsed donors than find a new one.
Why? Because they already know your mission. They cared enough to give once. All they need is a little love and a good reason to re-engage. A little nudge will help revive all the dormant donors
Let’s break down 8 helpful and very doable tips to reconnect with a lapsed donor, and how GiveCentral’s smart tools can help you along the way.
- Start by Asking “Why?” (Without the Guilt Trip)
Before making any asks, gently ask why they may have dropped off. Sometimes it’s a life change, other times it’s just a communication gap. Clarity is better than assumptions
Use the Donor Engagement Dashboard to track the last donation, communication history, and interaction levels. If you notice someone hasn’t opened an email in six months or gave once during Easter 2022, you can send them a personalized check-in message.
Remind them how grateful they were to receive the donation at that time. This gratification makes them feel valued.
2. Segment Your Lapsed Donors
Not every donor stopped giving for the same reason, so your outreach shouldn’t be the same for everyone. To reconnect effectively, start by segmenting your lapsed donors based on:
- Last gift date – How long has it been since they contributed?
- Giving frequency – Were they one-time donors or regular supporters?
- Amount donated – Small or large, their past support gives you clues on how to engage.
- Preferred communication channel – Do they usually respond better to email, text, or a phone call?
- Type of support – Did they contribute financially, volunteer their time, or donate goods/services?
Understanding these patterns lets you send the right message to the right person at the right time. It’s not just outreach—it’s thoughtful re-engagement.
Use built-in Smart Segmentation to filter and categorize your donor list. Create custom groups like “Holiday Givers 2022” or “Monthly Donors – Inactive 3+ Months.” This makes targeting more relevant and personalized.
3. Send a “We Miss You” Message That Feels Personal
A heartfelt message that says, “You made a difference. We’ve missed you,” can be powerful.
Use the Communication Center to send custom email or SMS templates. Add personalization tokens like first name, last gift date, or project supported. You can even automate these based on donor activity.
4. Keep it Human, not robotic
We always tend to read and respond to messages that have a personal touch.. Donors are more likely to respond when they feel seen, not processed. Personal notes, video messages, or phone calls go a long way.
Use the past contact Logs in donor profiles to track past interactions. You can assign follow-up tasks to team members or volunteers, ensuring no donor falls through the cracks.
5. Highlight What’s New and Exciting
Lapsed donors may not be aware of the latest programs or projects. Bring them up to speed. Keep them informed about the latest events and impacts that your organization has had. This reassures them that the organization is equally active today also.
Use Multimedia Messaging to embed images, videos, and stories into your messages. Show what’s changed, what’s growing, and why their support still matters.
6. Make Giving Frictionless
Sometimes donors lapse because giving isn’t easy anymore. Maybe your site wasn’t mobile-friendly, or your forms were clunky.
With GiveCentral:
Offer:
- Mobile-optimized giving forms
- One-click recurring giving
- QR codes for bulletins or mailers
- Text-to-Give options for quick access
Everything is secure, seamless, and simple, even for less tech-savvy donors and supporters.GiveCentral Smart Stickers offer a fresh, innovative way to make giving simple and seamless.
Powered by NFC (Near Field Communication) technology, these smart stickers let donors tap their smartphones and donate instantly—no cash, no checks, no app downloads, and absolutely no hassle. Just a quick tap, and they’re done.
You can easily embed these stickers into your emails and flyers. This encourages them to make spontaneous donations.
7. Thank First, Ask Later
Before you send another ask, send a sincere thank you, even if their last gift was years ago. Every gratitude counts.
Use Automated Thank You Emails triggered by giving milestones or donor anniversaries. Or, send a Thank You Postcard directly from the platform using GiveCentral’s print mail services.
It’s the small touches that rebuild trust. This trust is a first step to reconnecting with the donor.
8. Reconnect Them to the Community
Reinforce that they’re not just donors, they’re part of your mission family. Invite them to events, livestreams, or volunteer opportunities using the Events Management Tool. You can:
- Send invites
- Track RSVPs
- Set reminders
- Follow up after the event
This helps you re-engage beyond giving, building long-term loyalty.
9. Use Insights, Not Guesswork
It is important to continuously analyse which engagement strategy works the best. The GiveCentral Analytics Dashboard gives you real-time insights on:
- Who opened your message
- Who clicked through
- Who gave again
- Which campaign performed best
This way, you’re not guessing. Use the GiveCentral dashboard to show campaign performance analytics.
Winning back lapsed donors isn’t about begging for money; it’s about rebuilding relationships.
Remember:
- Be personal, not pushy.
- Celebrate them for what they’ve already done.
- Give them new reasons to feel connected.
- Make it incredibly easy to say “yes” again.
10. Use Language That Reconnects Emotionally
Avoid:
- “We need your donation now.”
- “Why haven’t you given?”
Instead try:
- “You’ve been such a valued part of our mission.”
- “We’d love to know how we can serve you better.”
- “You made a difference.
- “Want to do it again?”
And with GiveCentral’s intuitive tools, you can do all of this while saving time, staying organized, and deepening donor relationships.
Different ways to reach your Donors
It is important to use different outreach styles, as not everyone responds to emails in the same way. Here are different styles of reconnection beyond just email, with examples and tips to help you make meaningful contact:
1. Personal Phone Calls
A simple call can feel more heartfelt than digital outreach. Especially effective for older donors or major gift prospects. A phone call is also a good way to address the old generation who are not tech-savvy or have no access to technology
How to do it:
- Call during a reasonable time of day.
- Keep it short—just a warm check-in and thank-you.
- Mention something specific about their past support.
- Don’t make it just about money; make it about the relationship.
For Example:
“Hi [Name],
I’m [Your Name] from [Church/Nonprofit Name]. I just wanted to personally thank you for your past support and see how you’ve been. We miss having you as part of our giving family and would love to reconnect whenever you’re ready.
2. Handwritten Notes or Postcards
Handwritten notes feel incredibly personal and stand out in today’s digital world. Handwritten notes make the readers feel connected to the cause and appreciated. It is the best option for mid to major donors, long-term supporters, or older demographics.
Include a small update, photo, or even a personalized prayer or blessing. For example: “Dear Maria, we’re so grateful for the kindness you’ve shown in the past. Your support helped us reach families in need, and we’d love to reconnect with you soon. Blessings, Pastor John.”
3. Text Message Outreach
Quick, personal, and convenient, especially for younger or mobile-savvy donors. Use GiveCentral’s Text-to-Give feature to follow up with a simple message and a direct giving link.
For Example
“Hi [Name],
We’re thinking of you! We’d love to have you back supporting [your mission]. You can give in just seconds here: [link]
Thank you!”
4. Personalized Video Message
People connect more with faces and voices. A quick video from your pastor or staff member adds emotional weight. The video connects them to the cause or the organization instantly.
How to do it:
- Keep it under 1 minute.
- Use their first name if possible.
- Mention something they helped with in the past.
- End with an invitation: “We’d love to see you again.”
5. Invite Them to a Special Event Without Asking for a Gift
Donation doesn’t have to be monetary always. Sometimes, people just need to feel part of the community again before they give. Host events like:
- Volunteer day
- Prayer meet or candlelight service
- Virtual update call
- Appreciation luncheon
- Behind-the-scenes tour of your work
Make it about reconnection, not donations. Let giving be a natural follow-up.
6. Impact-Focused Storytelling on Social Media
Your lapsed donors are still watching, even if they’re not giving. Post content like
- Transformation stories
- Donor shoutouts
- Before-and-after images
- Quotes from beneficiaries
Such a post keeps them updated about your organization and its activities, building trust and accountability.
At GiveCentral, we understand that every donor relationship is unique, and sometimes, all it takes is the right message at the right time to rekindle that connection.
Our smart tools equip your team to connect with donors with empathy, ease, and measurable impact. From personalized outreach to automated follow-ups, we help you re-engage lapsed donors and make them feel like family again.
Giving isn’t always about funds; it is also about faith, trust, and belonging. Are you ready to rebuild and reconnect with the supporters who once stood by your side?
Get in touch with our team and explore how GiveCentral’s tools can transform your revival strategy.
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Crowdfunding donor management software donor retention Donors Fundraising for Nonprofits
Last modified: April 23, 2025
