Smart engagement is the new fundraising superpower  

In a world where generosity is evolving, one thing remains clear: how you engage your supporters matters more than ever. 

Fundraising is no longer just about transactions. It’s about building long-term relationships rooted in trust, transparency, and shared purpose. Supporters want more than an ask, they want to feel connected to your mission. That is why smarter engagement is becoming the most powerful tool in a social good organization’s toolkit. 

At Bonterra, we believe strong relationships lead to stronger fundraising. Our fundraising and engagement solutions are designed to help organizations create high-impact, personalized supporter experiences across every touchpoint. 

his vision comes to life through tools like EveryAction, Network for Good, and DonorDrive. Whether it’s automating email campaigns with EveryAction’s industry-leading deliverability, simplifying donor stewardship with Network for Good’s all-in-one giving and coaching platform, or expanding reach through DonorDrive’s peer-to-peer fundraising power, Bonterra equips you with the insights and technology to turn one-time givers into lifelong advocates. These tools help reduce friction, improve ROI, and make every interaction feel more intentional for your team and your supporters. 

The first gift isn’t the goal. It’s just the beginning. 

Acquiring donors is hard. Keeping them is even harder. 

According to Bonterra’s 2025 Impact Report, only 19.4% of new donors are retained after their first gift. That means more than 80% never come back. The key to improving that stat is not more asks. It is better engagement. 

Focusing on what happens after the first gift is where real transformation begins. Donors who give a second gift are nearly five times more likely to become sustained supporters. That is the power of building trust early and continuing to show supporters the impact of their generosity. 

Timely, relevant communication drives results 

Supporters want to hear from you, but only when it matters. Smart engagement means understanding when your message will be most meaningful and acting on it. 

Bonterra data shows that emails sent mid-morning on Tuesdays and Thursdays drive the highest engagement. And when someone clicks a link in your email, that action translates to an average of $39 in donations. It’s not just about sending more. It’s about sending well. 

Even the timing of your follow-up matters. Donors are more likely to give again if you re-engage them within 60 days. A thoughtful thank-you and a clear story about their impact can reignite support and deepen the connection. 

Empowering your supporters to lead 

Supporters don’t just want to give. They want to participate. That’s why peer-to-peer fundraising is such a powerful strategy. 

The DonorDrive Charity Fundraising App, part of Bonterra’s engagement toolkit, helps organizations activate their most passionate supporters. Fundraisers who use the app raise an average of 154% more. Organizations that implement peer-to-peer tools see three times more fundraiser activation while reducing staff time by six times. 

Smart engagement means giving your community the tools to help carry the mission forward in ways that feel personal and impactful. 

Engagement moments that matter most 

When moments of crisis or cultural significance arise, the most agile organizations are ready to act. 

Bonterra’s 2025 Impact Report highlights that organizations see a 1,308% increase in giving in the days surrounding major events like hurricanes or high-profile court decisions. Engagement that is thoughtful and timely during these moments can result in substantial donor action and long-term support. 

This is where smarter engagement becomes a superpower. When your systems are set up to respond quickly, you can help your community take action while building lasting trust. 

Optimizing every interaction builds trust 

Donor trust is built over time and through every interaction they have with your organization. 

Bonterra’s fundraising and engagement tools support organizations in building that trust through optimized experiences. EveryAction features like Optimized Ask increase dollars raised by 11% per donation form. Additionally, 78% of donors choose to cover transaction fees when prompted, which helps increase revenue without any additional effort. 

The result is clear. Sustained donors give eight times more gifts and two and a half times more total value over a ten-year period. That is not just fundraising. That is relationship-driven growth. 

A new standard for fundraising success 

Smarter engagement is more than a strategy. It’s a commitment to creating supporter experiences that are thoughtful, personalized, and rooted in purpose. It’s about showing up when it matters and using tools that make every touchpoint count. 

The organizations that succeed in this next era of giving will be those that put the supporter experience at the center of their fundraising strategy. With Bonterra’s fundraising and engagement solutions, you don’t just raise more. You build trust, momentum, and long-term impact. 

Smarter engagement is no longer optional; it’s essential.

Organizations that prioritize personalized, data-driven supporter experiences are building stronger relationships and driving more meaningful impact. Bonterra’s fundraising and engagement solutions help you connect more intentionally, automate with purpose, and turn one-time donors into lifelong advocates. 
   

Ready to see how smarter engagement drives stronger fundraising? 

The future of fundraising starts with a better experience for your team and your supporters.