The Five A’s of Awesome Fundraising
Guest: Kara Augsberger – Fundraising Coach, DonorBox
Hosts: Tony & Kate
1. Attract – Bringing people in
- Attraction is an ongoing practice, not a one-time.
- Stay relevant and interesting:
- Share stories and content consistently.
- Use digital tools: social media, email, petitions, surveys.
- Offer entry points (volunteering, events, advocacy).
- Focus: How are we showing up so that new people want to join us?
2. Ask – Making the invitation
- Asking is essential: “If you don’t ask, you don’t get.”
- Be clear and confident in your invitation.
- Avoid diluting the message: don’t cram multiple asks together.
Examples:
- Monthly giving campaigns.
- Specific project asks with a clear outcome.
- Tone: respectful but bold — believe in the mission enough to invite others.
3. Acknowledge – Expressing gratitude
- Thanking donors quickly and personally builds trust.
Methods:
- Handwritten thank-you notes.
- Personal emails.
- Phone calls.
- Avoid making another ask in the thank-you message.
- Authentic gratitude deepens relationships → donors feel valued, not used.
4. Account – Reporting back
- Donors need to know their gift made a difference.
- Accountability creates credibility.
Ways to show impact:
- Share stories of people helped.
- Give concrete numbers/results.
- Send short, frequent updates (not just annual reports).
- Outcome: increases donor confidence and long-term support.
5. Again – Repeat the cycle
- Donor retention is more valuable than donor acquisition.
- Cycle through the A’s repeatedly to maintain engagement.
- Keep strengthening relationships instead of starting over.
Message: Fundraising is about consistent, intentional relationships — attract, ask, acknowledge, account, and do it again.