Building the Bridge: How Audience-Led Strategy Can Transform the Donor Pipeline

In an era of rising acquisition costs and declining donor trust, the International Rescue Committee discovered an untapped opportunity: donors giving $500-$999 annually. By applying proven mid-level strategies to this overlooked segment, the IRC's Bridge Program achieved remarkable results in its first full year. We'll demonstrate practical applications of predictive modeling and wealth screening to identify high-potential prospects, and share our longitudinal testing framework that informs multi-year strategy and enables scalable growth. This session will take attendees inside IRC's transformation from transactional to relational fundraising, revealing how shifting focus from campaign metrics to donor lifetime value created sustainable growth. 

TAKE-AWAYS

• Relational Fundraising Drives Measurable Growth: Shifting from transactional, campaign-focused metrics to an audience-led approach centered on donor lifetime value delivered 28% revenue growth and a 1:3.8 ROI in the Bridge Program's first full year.
• Omnichannel Integration Accelerates Results: Strategic activation of multiple channels—telemarketing (776% growth), email (45% rebound), SMS (91% increase), and traditional direct mail—creates a "surround sound" effect that significantly improves donor engagement and revenue per donor.
• Strategic Reactivation Unlocks Hidden Value: Personal, relationship-based outreach through Donor Ambassadors reactivated previously unresponsive lapsed donors, generating $166K+ in six months and proving that cultivation strategies can work even with donors who ignored traditional appeals.
   

SPEAKERS

Houda Lazrak, Senior Officer, Bridge Donor Strategy, International Rescue Committee

Diana Lee, Vice President of Integrated Marketing, Avalon Consulting Group

ACCESSIBILITY

We will provide automated transcription at this event. If you need additional accommodations, please contact Risa Sudnow at info@dmfa.org or 646-675-731.

FEATURED SPONSOR