For a couple of bucks, you can buy your donor a coffee. In my experience, there’s a bigger ROI on coffee than on CRM software or any other fundraising acronym you care to name.

Trust, connection and shared values motivate giving (I did my doctoral research on this.) Connecting over coffee builds relationships.

I’m an introvert. I don’t meet donors for coffee with a big agenda. I listen, nod and ask questions. I start sentences with “I’m grateful…” I make notes (in the CRM I snarked about earlier) so that I look smart when we meet again; “Hey, I remember that your partner is an engineer!”

Collect short stories from your charity so that you’ll have news to share.

• The custodian showing everyone pictures of his new grandson.
• The new library books that are a hit with kids.
• The food bank client who translated for other people in line.
• The seniors singing along to the ABBA tribute band.

Not saving the world in one day but nudging it in a better direction.

Ask your donor to help. Don’t be afraid. When you meet for coffee again, you can tell them more stories. Donors are good people and spending time with them is a joy.

If you work at a place where people (staff, residents, volunteers) are already gathered around coffee, make it a point to hang out. You’ll gain valuable intel and likely some more stories. People will start to know who you are. When you do send that letter or email, they’ll be more likely to respond.

I send thank-you cards for coffee visits (with stamps, in the mail!) I record that I sent a card. Record-keeping is my gift to the fundraisers who come after me. I hope that they will go out for coffee too.

Lori’s favourite coffee is a dirty hippy – an oat milk chai latte with a shot of espresso. An expert in Christian giving, Lori blogs at www.lgreesor.com and is the author of “Growing a Generous Church: A Year in the Life of Peach Blossom Church” which recently won an award of merit from the Word Guild.

Coffee Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash.