Fundraising Fact of the Month:
Donor Retention Starts in January!
While December may bring the highest volume of gifts, January plays a critical role in whether donors stay with you long-term. Research consistently shows that a donor’s likelihood to give again is strongly influenced by their early-year experience, how quickly they are stewarded, informed, and re-engaged after year-end giving. Donors who feel connected to an organization’s mission beyond a single transaction are far more likely to renew their support throughout the year.
Use this quieter month to shift from asking to listening. Share a brief impact update, invite feedback, or reaffirm how donors’ generosity fuels your mission in the year ahead. Thoughtful stewardship in January sets the tone for trust, transparency, and sustained relationships. As the new year begins, remember: fundraising isn’t just about starting fresh, it’s about continuing the relationship you’ve already built.
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The January Education Session was a big hit, drawing strong engagement and positive feedback from attendees.
A big thank you to
Ken Miller, CFRE, for leading the session and delivering timely, practical insights on digital fundraising that participants found immediately useful. Many appreciated the clear strategies and real-world examples that made the content both accessible and impactful.
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January Education
Session Recap
Participants learned that digital giving now represents a significant and growing share of overall philanthropy, with mobile devices accounting for half of all online donations. The session emphasized prioritizing the “Big Four” digital channels: website, email, Google, and Facebook, and highlighted best practices for websites and donation pages, including prominent donate buttons, multiple landing pages, mobile optimization, clear contact information, and proper use of tools like Google Tag Manager and SEO strategies to improve visibility and donor experience.
Email and social media strategies were also key themes, with a strong reminder that an organization’s email list is one of its most valuable assets. Effective email fundraising relies on personalization, clear calls to action, thoughtful campaign planning, and strategic timing, while social media, especially Facebook, plays an important role in awareness-building, targeted advertising, and integrating donation opportunities.
Attendees - Please remember that your participation in the session is worth
2-CFRE continuing education credits.
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This month, we’re proud to spotlight Amy McGovern, our Chapter President and a dedicated leader in the fundraising community. Amy’s passion for fundraising, professional growth, and relationship-centered philanthropy continues to strengthen our chapter and inspire those around her. We’re grateful for her leadership and commitment as we begin a new year together.
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Amy McGovern
The Methodist Foundation for Arkansas
Amy McGovern is the Director of Development for the Northwest Arkansas Office of the Methodist Foundation for Arkansas (MFA), a role she’s held since helping open the NWA office five years ago. She left her development position at The New School in Fayetteville to join the MFA team based in Little Rock, where the mission is to establish and manage charitable funds that strengthen and expand Methodist ministries across Arkansas. Amy works with Methodist churches throughout Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley, as well as local nonprofits that align with the Foundation’s grant priorities—and through AFP NWA, she’s already partnered with several nonprofits through grants and sponsorships.
A Fayetteville native, Amy returned home after spending 10 years with the U.S. Foreign Service, serving in Mexico, Honduras, Barbados, and France. (Yes, she has many stories.) She earned her BA in Sociology from Hendrix College and an MBA from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Before her globetrotting days, Amy worked at her alma mater, eventually becoming Director of Admission and Interim Vice President for Admission, and later served as Director of Admission at Saint Mary’s Hall in San Antonio.
Amy lives in Bentonville with her husband, Michael, their blended family of four kids, and what can only be described as a small zoo: three dogs, four cats, and two crested geckos. A lifelong animal lover, Amy dreamed of becoming a veterinarian—until she took Cell Bio at Hendrix. Twice. (Barely passed. Dreams adjusted.)
Fun fact: Amy’s first car was a white 1974 Volkswagen Bug named Rufus the Razorbug, complete with Razorback decals, a horn that played the Arkansas fight song, and the license plate RZRBUG—long before the current U of A Razorback Bug, for the record.
Amy is excited to work with the board and celebrate AFP NWA’s 25th anniversary as its own chapter—bringing energy, experience, and maybe a few good stories along the way.
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Thank You 2025
Be The Cause Donors!
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BE the CAUSE is the Foundation’s annual, unrestricted fund that supports all four pillars of our Case for Support. BE the CAUSE helps to fund local, national, and international programs including scholarships, leadership development, education and much more.
A portion of every donation that a donor makes goes back to their local chapter to support local programs.
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AFP Webinars are free for members, last 60 minutes, and each qualifies for 1 CFRE credit. To register, click the webinar link, log in to your BlueSky Path account (or create one), add the session to your cart, and enter the discount code below to zero out the price. The webinar will appear in your Purchased folder to watch live or anytime through December 31, 2025.
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The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and the Northwest Arkansas Chapter of the AFP offer members the opportunity to connect with colleagues, engage in creative thinking, network with new friends and achieve great results in their work.
Membership Value Highlights
For questions about your membership, please contact
Amy McGovern, AFP President.
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