Nonprofit Leaders’ Strategies for Retaining Donors

Nonprofit leaders who fail to maintain donors negatively impact business operations. Maintaining a stable donor base is crucial for nonprofit leaders to build a secure foundation for their organizations that supports future growth. Grounded in the transformational leadership theory, the purpose of this qualitative single case study was to explore strategies that 3 leaders of a nonprofit organization located in the Northeast United States used to retain donors for their organizations. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and an analysis of both internal and external organizational documents. Data were analyzed using a thematic analysis; 3 themes emerged to include leaders collaborating and engaging in strategies for improving financing, changing organizational culture to improve performance, and improving leadership style to retain donors. A key recommendation is that the board of directors implement succession planning to set the protocols for donor engagement and revenue creation to establish accountability. A better understanding of effective business practices may allow nonprofit leaders to achieve sustainability for their organizations. Implications for positive social change include the potential to provide nonprofit organizational leaders and other stakeholders with strategies for retaining donors and enhancing existing services, expanding community programs, and building a stable foundation that supports future growth