Many donors make a single gift—often in response to a memorial, tribute, crisis, or one-time appeal—and never give again. This session explores how to thoughtfully and strategically transform those first-time or memorial donors into long-term, mission-aligned supporters. Participants will learn how to create meaningful touchpoints, craft resonant messaging, and design stewardship pathways that honor donors’ motivations while deepening their connection to the organization’s impact.

Using proven techniques and real examples, this session will unpack the psychology behind second gifts, the power of timely and personalized communication, and how to build donor journeys that inspire continued engagement. Attendees will leave with practical tools to build stronger donor relationships and significantly improve retention.