CNE Donor Relations & Stewardship 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A major donor informs your organization they want to fund a program that doesn't align with your strategic priorities. What is the BEST response?
- Accept the gift and redirect funds internally
- Decline the gift outright without discussion
- Engage the donor in a conversation about shared goals and propose aligned alternatives (Correct answer)
- Ask the donor to reduce the gift amount to fit an existing program
Correct answer: Engage the donor in a conversation about shared goals and propose aligned alternatives
Engaging the donor in dialogue preserves the relationship while steering toward mission-aligned giving.
Question 2: Which stewardship practice most directly reduces donor lapse rates?
- Sending annual reports
- Implementing a systematic touchpoint calendar between solicitations (Correct answer)
- Hosting one large gala per year
- Increasing the frequency of direct mail appeals
Correct answer: Implementing a systematic touchpoint calendar between solicitations
A structured mid-year touchpoint schedule keeps donors engaged outside of solicitation cycles, reducing lapse.
Question 3: When a nonprofit receives a restricted gift, the organization must PRIMARILY ensure:
- The funds are invested until needed
- The funds are used solely for the donor-specified purpose (Correct answer)
- The gift is acknowledged within 30 days
- The donor receives naming rights
Correct answer: The funds are used solely for the donor-specified purpose
Legal and ethical stewardship requires restricted gifts be used only for the purposes specified by the donor.
Question 4: What is the purpose of a donor impact report?
- To solicit the next gift from the donor
- To demonstrate how the donor's contribution created measurable change (Correct answer)
- To list all organizational expenditures
- To compare the donor's giving to peer donors
Correct answer: To demonstrate how the donor's contribution created measurable change
Impact reports close the loop by showing donors the tangible results of their investment.
Question 5: A donor who gave five years ago has stopped giving. Which re-engagement strategy is MOST appropriate?
- Remove them from the mailing list
- Send a standard renewal appeal identical to active donors
- Reach out personally to understand any concerns and reconnect with mission updates (Correct answer)
- Reduce their gift ask amount
Correct answer: Reach out personally to understand any concerns and reconnect with mission updates
Lapsed donors often respond best to personalized outreach that acknowledges the gap and reestablishes the relationship.
Question 6: In donor relations, the term 'moves management' refers to:
- Relocating donor records to a new CRM
- A structured process of planned interactions to cultivate and deepen donor relationships (Correct answer)
- Managing donor complaints and grievances
- Transferring gifts between restricted funds
Correct answer: A structured process of planned interactions to cultivate and deepen donor relationships
Moves management is a fundraising framework that tracks deliberate steps to advance a donor's commitment over time.
Question 7: Which element is MOST critical in a gift acknowledgment letter to satisfy IRS requirements for gifts of $250 or more?
- A personalized thank-you message from the CEO
- A statement of whether goods or services were provided in exchange for the gift (Correct answer)
- The organization's mission statement
- The donor's cumulative giving history
Correct answer: A statement of whether goods or services were provided in exchange for the gift
IRS regulations require disclosure of any goods or services provided in exchange for a contribution of $250 or more.
CNE Donor Relations & Stewardship 2
A major donor informs your organization they want to fund a program that doesn't align with your strategic priorities.
What is the BEST response?