How to Appeal to the Spontaneous Donor
In our Donor Personality Test, you learned about various traits of donor personalities, based on the Enneagram but tweaked for churches and nonprofits. Hopefully, our guide will show you the best practices for dealing with your current and potential donors. With these deeper insights, you can plan your donor giving strategy and online giving programs in advance.
What Defines a Spontaneous Donor?
Type Seven personalities are known best for being spontaneous and versatile. The wise pastor and leader knows the secrets to communicate with this type of person. They also understand that this type is very giving, on the spot, with little prodding.
But have patience—you must nurture these donors over time. It is important to work on building an authentic relationship with them, rather than focusing on their donations from the start.
Here are some common words used to describe the Type Seven Spontaneous Donor:
- Spontaneous
- Emotional
- Life of the party
- Joyful
- Giving spontaneously
- Moody
- Led by their feelings
- Extroverted
- Optimistic
- Versatile
- Playful
- High-spirited
- Practical
Getting to Know Type Seven Spontaneous Donors
On the downside, there is a tendency with Type Seven Spontaneous Donors to lack discipline, as much is done on impulse.
The positive side of this is that they are more open to new outreach programs, and will appear eager to support you from the start. They don’t want to feel left out of the excitement, so gravitate to churches and nonprofits that can stimulate their need for adventure and gratification.
What motivates them to give? Big passion projects and opportunities to satisfy their soul and spirit.
As you fundraise, look for ways to motivate them by helping them give their time to mentally satisfying projects.
More Tips for Appealing to the Spontaneous Donor
The Spontaneous Donor seeks excitement, even when they give to charities. This might look different for each, but with new digital technology, you can help make giving and serving in the church something to look forward to.
For example, introduce them to spontaneous giving options such as donation apps. These allow them to give whenever they feel like it and takes the obligation out of regular tithing commitments.
Use mobile phone apps to help them stave off boredom. This serves a dual purpose: the apps keep your donors engaged, and you benefit as a church manager from the real-time information you can gather to serve them better.
Many nonprofit fundraisers find that digital giving options are best for these types of donors. Because the Type Sevens or Spontaneous Donors are most likely to make fast, snap decisions, you must find ways to make this work to your benefit.
Spontaneous Donors Need Encouragement and an Easy Way to Give
At fundraising events where the more spontaneous types of donors are present, try to get commitments there and then. Because they give based on feelings of satisfaction, you can’t afford to “wait for the right time” when asking them to give.
For example, during a nonprofit fundraiser, rather than sending them home with pledge cards, ask them to download the mobile giving app immediately. While you have their attention, ask them to consider the giving option on the app while they are attending your meeting.
Maybe they have good intentions to give later, but then simply become distracted and busy. At other times, they might simply forget. Mobile giving makes spontaneous givers happier and can impact your fundraising efforts in a big way. Read more about mobile giving on our blog here.
After the recent pandemic, we are also seeing that the successful nonprofits are those that allow donors to give online, with fast digital options. It’s wise for churches to learn to use emerging technology and online giving solutions now, rather than waiting for a future crisis to force them to upgrade.
Visual Effects
Because spontaneous types need to be emotionally invested in your cause, you can also motivate and appeal by using a lot of visuals. In your website, newsletters, and email updates, think of ways to make your message stand out. This way, by telling more appealing stories, you raise your nonprofit fundraising potential.
Remember to focus on ways to genuinely encourage this type of donor. Never forget to thank them after an instant gift and show your appreciation. This could be with visually beautiful thank-you cards, for example.
How DonorWerx Can Help
Committing to upgrading your donor journey with digital tools is sometimes overwhelming. At DonorWerx, we have done the research for you and guide you on best practices for appealing to current and future donors. We believe technology is the bridge for connecting donors to your organization.
Visit our website to find out more about our online leader coaching tools and get updated tips for growing your church today. We will start with a Discovery Call to see where you are at on your donor journey, and how we can take you further.
