Rekindling the Flame: Re-Engaging Donors You’ve Been Overlooking

Keep that flame burning bright with stewardship!

With federal funding shrinking, the threat of the NEA being eliminated, and the competition for foundation dollars intensifying, small arts and LGBTQ+ nonprofits are feeling the squeeze. In this climate, deepening relationships with individual donors—especially the ones you’ve unintentionally neglected—isn’t just nice. It’s necessary.

Let’s be honest—sometimes in the hustle of keeping the lights on and the programs running, donor stewardship falls by the wayside. Especially for small teams juggling everything from budgeting to stage lighting, it's easy to unintentionally ghost donors.

But here’s the good news: It’s never too late to reconnect.

If you’ve got a list of individual donors who haven’t heard from you in a while (we’re talking a year or two), you’re sitting on a goldmine of potential. They gave before because they care. Now it’s time to re-engage them with authenticity, humility, and a fresh invitation to be part of the magic again.

1. Start with a Simple, Heartfelt Thank You Call to Rekindle the Flame

Pick up the phone. Seriously. No ask, no agenda—just a call to say thank you.

Start with something like: 

“Hi [Name], this is [Your Name] from [Organization]. I just wanted to reach out to say thank you for your past support. You’ve been on our minds, and we’re so grateful for your past generosity.”

That’s it. If the conversation naturally evolves into an update or an invitation, great. But the main goal is to express gratitude and reopen the door.

Tip: Remember a culture of philanthropy? Invite board members and volunteers to help make these calls. It’s a great way to involve them in donor stewardship and share the love.

2. Invite Them for Coffee—In Person or Virtually

Coffee meetings are great for reconnecting.

Once the thank-you calls go out, consider following up with a casual coffee invitation. No gala energy required—just a 30-minute catch-up.

You could say:

“I’d love to grab coffee (or Zoom tea!) sometime soon to share what we’ve been up to and hear what’s been on your mind, too.”

Whether it's at a neighborhood café or done virtually, the point is connection. Let donors see the heart behind your work—and remind them why they cared in the first place.

3. Host a Donor Update Event (Big Impact, Low Lift)

Throw a casual, low-budget event just for individual donors and close supporters. This could be:

• A sneak peek of your upcoming season or show

• A behind-the-scenes tour of your rehearsal space

• A virtual “State of the Organization” happy hour with your ED

Keep it intimate. Make space for storytelling, a little Q&A, and lots of “here’s what your support has made possible.”

Donors don’t need a fancy banquet—they want to feel appreciated and "in the know". They want to know their gift mattered and know about your organization’s successes.

4. Acknowledge the Gap—Then Move Forward

If you're worried about the silence, own it. Your supporters are human. They understand that running a nonprofit is hard.

In your messaging (calls, emails, events), something like this goes a long way:

“We haven’t done the best job staying in touch, and I just wanted to say thank you for sticking with us. We're working on building stronger connections with our community, and we’d love to have you back in the fold. Do you have 30 minutes for an update on how your support has made a difference in our mission?”

Humility + honesty = trust.

5. Follow Up with Intention

IMPORTANT: After re-engaging, DO NOT let the trail go cold again. Have a simple plan to keep in touch—quarterly emails, annual check-ins, and personal notes when possible.

You don’t need to be in touch weekly to build relationships—you just need a little consistency (6 to 7 tourch points a year) and a lot of heart.

Final Thoughts

Small organizations have a huge advantage when it comes to donor relationships: you're personal, passionate, and community-rooted. Reaching back out to individual donors you’ve been ignoring isn’t a weakness—it’s an opportunity to rebuild trust and grow together.

And trust? That’s the foundation of every great fundraising story.

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