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Imagine your favorite coffee shop. You used to go there every week—great vibes, perfect latte, barista who remembered your name. Then life got busy, you tried a new place, and suddenly, you haven’t been back in months.

Now, what if that coffee shop sent you a friendly text: “Hey! We miss you. Here’s a free pastry if you stop by this week.” You’d probably go, right?

Lapsed donors are a lot like that. They cared about your cause once, but life happened—maybe they forgot, got distracted, or weren’t sure their donation made a difference. Your job? Remind them why they loved you in the first place—and make it easy to come back.

Here’s how to re-engage lapsed donors with six proven, practical strategies (no guilt trips or spammy tactics required).

1. Send a Reconnection Email: “We Miss You!” (And Here’s Why You Should Too)

A lapsed donor isn’t a lost cause—they’re just out of touch. A warm, personal email can jog their memory and remind them why they gave in the first place.

What to include:

• A sincere thank-you for their past support.
• A quick impact update—e.g., “Because of you, 50 kids got school supplies last year.”
• A clear next step—ask them to donate again, but keep it low-pressure.

Example subject lines:

• “We miss you! Here’s what your support made possible.”
• “Quick update—and a way to help again if you’d like.”

Pro Tip: Segment your list. A donor who gave monthly for years deserves a different message than someone who gave once at a gala.

2. Offer New Updates: Reignite Their Passion

People stop giving when they stop feeling connected. Show them what’s new and exciting—maybe you’ve launched a fresh project, hit a milestone, or have a compelling story to share.

Ways to spark interest:

• Impact stories—“Meet Maria, the first in her family to graduate—thanks to you!”
• Behind-the-scenes updates—“Here’s how we’re expanding our food bank this year.”
• Urgent needs—“We’re 80% to our goal—can you help us cross the finish line?”

Why it works: Donors want to feel like part of something meaningful. If they see progress (or a new challenge), they’re more likely to jump back in.

3. Ask for Feedback: “Why Did You Leave?” (And How Can We Fix It?)

Sometimes, donors lapse for simple reasons—maybe they never got a thank-you, didn’t see impact, or just forgot. Ask them! A short survey or personal call can uncover gold.

Sample questions:

• “What made you initially support our cause?”
• “Is there anything we could do better?”
• “Would you consider giving again in the future?”

Bonus: If someone responds, address their concern directly. If they felt unappreciated, send a handwritten note. If they didn’t see impact, share a detailed report.

4. Invite Them to an Event: Bring Them Back In Person

Nothing rebuilds a connection like face-to-face interaction. Invite lapsed donors to:

• Fundraising galas (give them a VIP perk)
• Volunteer days (low-pressure way to re-engage)
• Webinars or tours (show them your work in action)

Pro Tip: Personalize the invite. “Hey [Name], we’d love to see you at our annual dinner—RSVP here!” works better than a generic blast.

5. Offer a Special Appeal: “This Project Needs You”

Sometimes, donors need a specific, urgent reason to give again. Create a time-sensitive, emotionally compelling ask tied to a tangible outcome.

Example:

• “We have a matching grant—every dollar you give today is doubled!”
• “Help us build a new playground by June 30!”

Why it works: Urgency + specificity = higher response rates.

6. Provide a Simple Way to Re-Engage: Lower the Barrier

Not every lapsed donor is ready to write a big check. Offer easy ways to reconnect:

• “Sign up for our newsletter to see our impact.”
• “Give just $10 to help stock the pantry this month.”
• “Follow us on Instagram for daily updates.”

The goal: Get them back in the habit of engaging with you. Small steps lead to bigger ones.

Final Thought: Don’t Give Up on Them

Lapsed donors aren’t gone forever—they just need a thoughtful nudge. Try these strategies, track what works, and keep refining your approach.

Your Action Plan:

1. Start with a warm, personal email (try one this week!).
2. Share something new and exciting—give them FOMO.
3. Ask for feedback—then act on it.
4. Invite them to an event—face-to-face wins.
5. Create a special appeal—urgency helps.
6. Make re-entry easy—small steps count.

Now go win them back! 🚀