Key Term

What is High Touch Fundraising?

Definition

High touch fundraising refers to a personalized, relationship-based approach to donor engagement that emphasizes direct, frequent, and meaningful interactions between nonprofit organizations and their major donors or prospects. This method typically involves face-to-face meetings, personalized communications, exclusive events, and customized stewardship strategies designed to build and maintain strong, long-term relationships with donors who have the capacity to make significant contributions.

Significance

High touch fundraising is crucial for nonprofit organizations because it typically generates the majority of their philanthropic revenue, with major gifts often accounting for 80% or more of total donations. This approach allows organizations to deeply understand donors' motivations, align their giving with specific programs or initiatives, and create meaningful engagement opportunities that lead to transformational gifts. By investing time and resources in high touch strategies, organizations can build a sustainable base of committed supporters who not only provide substantial financial support but also often become advocates and ambassadors for the cause, leading to increased organizational stability and impact.