I'll be honest — I'm tired of how weird fundraising has gotten.

You give money to something you care about, and suddenly you're flooded with urgent appeals. Three requests in two weeks. Messages that scream the world will end if you don't give again right now.

It's exhausting. And it's exactly why I wrote Beyond the Ask.

The Real Cost of Crisis-Driven Fundraising

The average nonprofit retains only 41% of its donors year over year. Nearly 60% walk away. Every. Single. Year.

But here's what happens when you shift from transactions to relationships: nonprofits using digital-first engagement platforms see retention jump to 53%. Organizations with recurring giving programs? An 83% retention rate, with donors having 5.4 times the lifetime value of one-time givers.

From Spreadsheets to Real Connection

You can't build genuine relationships when you're drowning in data. How do you remember that Sarah volunteers twice monthly and gives annually? That James attended three events but hasn't opened an email in six months?

This is where platforms like Vitalcy change the game — creating a complete picture of how people engage with your mission. When you can see the whole person, not just the gift amount, everything changes.

Leading with Curiosity, Not Need

In Beyond the Ask, I challenge nonprofits to lead with curiosity about supporters' passions instead of organizational needs. The right technology shouldn't dictate relationships — it should illuminate them, freeing you from administrative tasks so you can have actual, human conversations.

The Bottom Line

While 47% of nonprofits struggle with donor acquisition and 56% don't even have an engagement strategy, you could be building something different. Something sustainable. Something that honors people who believe in your work.

Your donors aren't ATMs. They're mission partners who want to be part of something meaningful — not just names in a database.

Isn't it time your approach reflected that?