What does a donation platform have to do with major donors?

I get to meet a lot of nonprofits. Before I meet them, one of the things I like to do is to take a look at their online donation platform.

Even the donation button tells me a lot about them and their sophistication. Is it a PayPal button?

And then where does it take me? Does it navigate away from their site?

Next is the look and functionality of the form. Is it sleek, elegant, and simple to follow? Does it offer giving options other than cash? Credit card? Even vehicles? Other assets?

Another thing I’m looking for—does the donation experience connect with the overall mission of the organization?

Of course, in today’s world, there are features that are becoming increasingly essential, for the donor experience and for the nonprofit:

• Recurring giving
• Peer-to-peer fundraising
• Text-to-give
• Crowdfunding
• Matching gifts
• Payment processing
• Analytics
• Automation of gift acknowledgements and receipts

A sophisticated donation platform tells me a lot about a ministry’s readiness to work with major donors.

If they’ve invested what it takes to get their donation platform figured out, they’re much more likely able to build out a successful major donor program.

What’s in your platform?

Photo by rupixen.com on Unsplash

Bill High

Bill is CEO & Founder of Vyne Legacy. He works with families to equip them with tools to build multigenerational legacies, and he teaches givers and financial advisers on transformational biblical generosity. He is the co-author with David Green of Giving It All Away and Getting It All Back Again: The Way of Living Generously.

Published May 7, 2021

Topics: Nonprofit Development

Charitable GivingMajor DonorsNonprofit Development