Adapt or become obsolete: digital is essential for lasting donor engagement
Nonprofits today face a defining choice: evolve to meet donors' digital expectations or risk losing donor engagement. Digital giving has shifted from a convenience to an expectation. Whether it’s frictionless donation processes or hyper-personalized engagement, today’s donors want their interactions with causes to reflect the seamless experiences they encounter in other areas of their lives.
This change is particularly evident in the growing dominance of mobile devices. According to our platform’s year-to-date data, 57.9% of donations now come from mobile devices, marking a significant shift compared to just a few years ago (the industry average for mobile device donations is 33% according to the 2024 M+R Benchmarks Report). In 2022, Fundraise Up’s mobile donations accounted for 50.1% of total transactions. This growth illustrates that nonprofits must prioritize mobile-first strategies to capture the increasing number of donors who prefer to give via their smartphones.
Digital donor engagement is no longer a “nice-to-have.” It’s the foundation for building stronger donor relationships, increasing loyalty, and unlocking long-term impact. Nonprofits that embrace tools designed to meet donor expectations — especially on mobile — will thrive in an increasingly competitive fundraising environment.
Why digital channels matter for donor engagement
Digital channels give nonprofits an unparalleled opportunity to connect with donors in the spaces they already occupy — whether that’s browsing social media, reading emails, or exploring a nonprofit’s website. Today’s donors are accustomed to seamless online interactions, and they expect nothing less from the causes they support.
According to an article by Candid, nonprofits risk losing support if the donor experience isn’t seamless, engaging, and empowering. Friction, confusion, or outdated processes can break the connection, but a smooth digital experience strengthens it. Nonprofits that prioritize a seamless digital experience are better positioned to strengthen their relationships with donors and inspire lasting loyalty.
This shift isn’t just about convenience; it’s about creating meaningful experiences. Donors want to feel valued, understood, and deeply connected to the missions they support. Nonprofits that can provide seamless, mobile-first interactions are uniquely positioned to transform transactional giving into lasting donor engagement built on trust and shared purpose.
Nonprofits need to meet these expectations through 3 critical checkpoints:
- A streamlined giving process: Mobile-first, intuitive design ensures that donating is fast, easy, and frustration-free — no matter the device.
- Personalized donor journeys: Data-driven insights allow nonprofits to craft interactions that resonate with each donor’s unique preferences, giving history, and interests.
- Flexible payment options: From credit cards to digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay, offering diverse payment methods ensures every donor can give in the way that works best for them.
With mobile use continuing to grow, nonprofits that optimize for mobile-first giving are not just keeping up — they’re setting the standard for what donors expect in the digital era.
Personalization: the key to building sustained donor engagement
The future of donor relationships lies in personalization. Today’s donors expect nonprofits to engage with them as individuals, not just names in a database. They’re accustomed to highly tailored interactions in their daily lives — from Netflix suggesting the next show to binge-watch to online retailers offering curated recommendations based on past purchases. This level of personalization has become the standard and nonprofits that fail to meet these expectations risk being seen as out of touch.
Personalization is more than just a buzzword — it’s a proven driver of donor loyalty. When donors feel understood and valued, they are far more likely to stay engaged, increase their giving, and advocate for your cause.
In fact, organizations that prioritize personalized communication consistently report higher retention rates and larger donation amounts. According to NextAfter, nonprofits that embrace a digital-first approach to fundraising see an average overall retention rate of 53% across all channels, compared to the typical 40-45% retention rate. This underscores the significant impact that tailored communication can have on sustaining donor engagement and enhancing overall fundraising success.
This level of personalization not only builds trust but also drives retention and increases average donation sizes. According to Fundraise Up’s data, AI-driven donation prompts and personalization tools significantly boost conversion rates and donor engagement, particularly on mobile devices.
By personalizing every interaction, nonprofits can demonstrate to donors that they’re not just another transaction — they’re an integral part of the mission. As digital engagement evolves, personalization will continue to be the foundation of strong, lasting donor relationships.
The role of data in modern fundraising
Data isn’t just a tool for tracking past behavior — it’s a window into donor motivations and preferences. It’s a critical resource for understanding motivations, predicting future actions, and tailoring donor engagement strategies that resonate. For nonprofits, leveraging data isn’t optional; it’s the key to building trust and fostering long-term relationships with supporters.
Data gives nonprofits the ability to move beyond one-size-fits-all approaches, allowing them to craft campaigns that speak directly to the individual donor. Organizations that embrace data-driven strategies consistently see measurable results, such as increased donation amounts, higher retention rates, and more impactful outreach.
The ability to analyze and act on data is changing the way nonprofits engage with donors, and Fundraise Up is at the forefront of this shift. By providing tools that turn insights into action, Fundraise Up helps nonprofits connect with their supporters in meaningful, personalized ways, ensuring that every interaction drives greater impact.
Meeting donors’ expectations today and tomorrow
In recent years, donor expectations have evolved rapidly, with a significant shift toward mobile-first giving, the adoption of modern payment options like Apple Pay, Google Pay — even Venmo donations — increasing demand for transparency and personalized experiences.
This trend is exemplified by the rise in mobile donor payment adoption, which is projected to reach 4.8 billion users by 2025. Additionally, donors now seek hyper-personalized communication based on their interests, behaviors, and giving histories, moving away from generic appeals. These developments underscore the necessity for nonprofits to adapt to these changing expectations to maintain and grow their donor base.
To stay relevant, nonprofits must be agile enough to adapt not only to today’s trends but to anticipate what’s coming next. The most successful organizations aren’t just reacting to donor expectations — they’re proactively shaping experiences that donors didn’t yet know they wanted (think crypto donation buttons). Agility isn’t simply about keeping pace; it’s about leading the way, understanding that donor behavior, preferences, and technology will continue to evolve rapidly.
For example, as digital wallets like Google Pay and Apple Pay for nonprofits become standard, orgs must prepare for an era where donors expect instantaneous, secure transactions. Simultaneously, the rise of micro-donations, peer-to-peer giving on social platforms, and AI-driven personalization will redefine what donors see as meaningful engagement. Organizations that anticipate these shifts and act decisively will be the ones to foster lasting loyalty.
The risks of standing still are stark. Outdated, clunky processes create friction, and disconnected, generic messaging fails to inspire. Donors encountering these experiences are far more likely to disengage. Conversely, nonprofits that view adaptability as a strategic priority are better positioned to thrive.
Platforms like Fundraise Up ensure nonprofits are always one step ahead, not just keeping up with donor expectations but setting the standard for innovation. Mobile-friendly donation forms, AI-powered suggestions, and actionable data insights aren’t just tools—they’re game-changers for organizations ready to embrace the future.
Adaptability isn’t just an advantage — it’s a necessity. Nonprofits that lean into this mindset will not only meet the moment but seize it, building relationships that last far into the future. With Fundraise Up, nonprofits have a partner to help them stay agile, proactive, and prepared for whatever’s next.
Actionable strategies for nonprofits
To stay relevant and foster lasting donor relationships, nonprofits must embrace a digital-first mindset. This approach isn’t just about adopting new tools — it’s about fundamentally rethinking how to engage with supporters in a way that meets their expectations and inspires lasting loyalty. Here’s how to get started:
1. Prioritize mobile-first design
With a significant amount of online traffic now coming from mobile devices, a mobile-first donation experience is essential. Donors expect smooth, responsive forms that work seamlessly on their phones, without slow load times or cumbersome inputs.
- How to implement: Our mobile-optimized donation forms, which adapt to any screen size and offer an intuitive user experience.
2. Leverage personalization tools
Personalization builds trust and makes donors feel seen. Generic messaging no longer resonates in a world where tailored recommendations are the norm.
- How to implement: Our AI-powered tools dynamically suggest donation amounts, identify ideal moments to prompt recurring gifts, and help you craft personalized email campaigns based on donor behavior and preferences.
3. Offer flexible payment options
Donors have diverse payment preferences, and providing a variety of options can make the difference between a completed donation and an abandoned form. From digital wallets like Apple Pay to ACH and cryptocurrency, flexibility is key.
- How to implement: We support a wide range of modern payment methods, ensuring every donor can give in a way that’s convenient for them.
4. Invest in insights
Data is the backbone of successful fundraising. Regularly analyzing donor behavior and campaign performance can help nonprofits refine their strategies, identify opportunities, and make data-driven decisions that maximize impact.
- How to implement: With our robust analytics tools, nonprofits can track key metrics, test campaign variations, and adjust strategies in real-time to achieve better results.
By taking these steps, nonprofits can position themselves as leaders in the digital era—organizations that not only meet but exceed donor expectations. Each of these strategies reinforces trust, builds loyalty, and ensures that every interaction with a donor is meaningful and effective.
Fundraise Up does donor engagement better
The digital transformation of the nonprofit sector isn’t just a passing trend — it’s a fundamental shift redefining how organizations connect with their supporters. As donor expectations continue to evolve, the nonprofits that thrive will be those that embrace digital tools to create seamless, personalized, and impactful giving experiences.
Our online fundraising platform enables nonprofits to meet and exceed these expectations by delivering tailored experiences at scale. Using data from donor behavior, preferences, and giving history, we help organization personalize the giving journey through features like:
- Suggested donation amounts that reflect what’s meaningful and realistic for each donor.
- Smart recommendations that prompt donors to cover transaction costs
- Upsell asks to encourage one-time donors to become recurring supporters.
By turning raw data into actionable insights, we help nonprofits develop smarter, more targeted engagement strategies. With our Insights Dashboard, organizations can:
- Understand donor behavior at a granular level: Track how donors interact with campaigns and uncover trends that inform future strategies.
- Segment donors for highly targeted outreach: Deliver personalized messages that resonate deeply with donors based on their giving history and interests.
- Test and optimize campaigns for maximum impact: Use A/B testing and real-time analytics to refine campaigns and achieve better results.
Platforms like ours aren’t just part of the solution — they’re the foundation for nonprofits looking to stay relevant and impactful in an increasingly digital world. By leveraging innovative tools, nonprofits can deepen donor loyalty, drive recurring support, and achieve their missions with greater efficiency and effectiveness.
Adaptation is no longer optional. Nonprofits face a defining choice: evolve to meet the moment or risk losing the trust and engagement of their supporters. For those willing to embrace digital-first strategies, the future holds incredible opportunities — not just to keep pace with change, but to lead the way in building stronger, more impactful donor relationships.
The time to act is now. With Fundraise Up as your partner, the challenges of the digital era become your greatest opportunities for growth and transformation. Let’s get started today.