CNE Donor Relations & Stewardship 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary goal of donor stewardship?
- Immediately solicit additional donations
- Build lasting relationships by demonstrating impact and expressing gratitude (Correct answer)
- Minimize donor communication
- Focus exclusively on major donors
Correct answer: Build lasting relationships by demonstrating impact and expressing gratitude
Stewardship builds long-term relationships through acknowledgment, impact reporting, and gratitude, leading to sustained giving.
Question 2: Within what timeframe should gifts be acknowledged?
- Next fiscal year
- Within 48 hours, ideally 24 hours (Correct answer)
- Only at the annual gala
- Optional for gifts under $1000
Correct answer: Within 48 hours, ideally 24 hours
Best practice is acknowledging gifts within 48 hours (24 ideal), demonstrating respect for the donor's contribution.
Question 3: What is a donor pyramid?
- Physical display at events
- Visual model from broad base of small donors to peak of major/planned giving donors (Correct answer)
- A Ponzi scheme
- A pyramid-shaped building
Correct answer: Visual model from broad base of small donors to peak of major/planned giving donors
The donor pyramid shows progression from many lower-level donors to fewer major donors, guiding cultivation strategies.
Question 4: What is the average US nonprofit donor retention rate?
- 80-90%
- 40-45% (Correct answer)
- 95%
- 10-15%
Correct answer: 40-45%
Average retention hovers around 40-45%, meaning most organizations lose over half their donors annually.
Question 5: What is moves management?
- A relocation service
- Strategic framework tracking each step in cultivating and soliciting major donors (Correct answer)
- Database for volunteer moves
- System for transferring donors between orgs
Correct answer: Strategic framework tracking each step in cultivating and soliciting major donors
Moves management tracks sequential steps — identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship — for major gifts.
Question 6: Why segment donors in stewardship?
- To reduce total donors
- To provide tailored communication appropriate to each donor's level and interests (Correct answer)
- Unnecessary if all get the same newsletter
- To comply with IRS requirements
Correct answer: To provide tailored communication appropriate to each donor's level and interests
Segmentation enables personalized strategies matching expectations, giving levels, and interests for stronger relationships.
CNE Donor Relations & Stewardship 1
What is the primary goal of donor stewardship?