Why Canvassing? – Donor Development Strategies

Why Canvassing?

Why Your Organization Should Invest in Door-to-Door Canvassing

In a world where emails get deleted, ads are ignored, and phone calls go unanswered, door-to-door canvassing cuts through the noise. It creates real human connections—something no digital campaign can replicate.

Build Trust Through Personal Interaction
Meeting people face-to-face creates an immediate sense of authenticity. When someone hears your story directly from a passionate advocate, your mission becomes real and relatable. Trust built at the doorstep often leads to long-term support.
Reach Audiences That Other Channels Miss
Not everyone is active online or receptive to mass marketing. Canvassing allows your organization to reach people in their neighborhoods—diverse, untapped audiences that traditional methods often overlook.
Inspire Immediate Action
Conversations at the door don’t just raise awareness—they spark action. Whether it’s making a donation, signing a petition, or pledging to volunteer, door-to-door outreach turns passive interest into active support right away.
Cultivate Sustained Relationships
Canvassing is a powerful tool for finding recurring donors and committed advocates. By focusing on sustainers—those who contribute regularly—you create a steady foundation for your mission’s growth and impact.
Collect Meaningful Feedback and Insights
Every interaction provides valuable insights about how your message resonates in the community. This feedback helps refine your campaigns, making them more effective over time.

A Proven Strategy for Real-World Impact

Door-to-door canvassing has been used for decades by nonprofits, advocacy groups, and political campaigns because it works. It’s not just about knocking on doors—it’s about starting conversations that matter, building relationships that last, and turning everyday people into lifelong supporters.

CUMULATIVE SUSTAINER VALUE BY YEARS SINCE FIRST GIFT

Donors Acquired FY2015 – FY2020 by source

CANVASS ACQUIRED DONORS ADD LONG-TERM STABILITY TO YOUR DONOR FILE

Canvassing donors boast the highest sustainer value over time above on-air pledge, digital and Passport.
With over 70% of revenue coming from sustainers, new canvassing donors have the strongest retention rates versus those acquired via other channels.
This underscores the significance of diversifying donor acquisition strategies to enhance overall sustainability and build the health of your donor file.

DONOR AGE RANGE BY GIVING CATEGORY MSB Stations

ATTRACT THE NEXT GENERATION OF DONORS Canvassing:

Canvass-acquired donors are, on average, 10 years younger than those from traditional channels.
Canvassing connects with people who care deeply aboutc ommunity and values,including young families that directly benefit from public media.
Younger donors and families reconnecting with public media bring strong potential for long-term support.

JOB OPENINGS

Canvasser Job Openings
Field Manager Job Openings
Canvass Director Job Openings
Regional Field Director Job Openings

Contact Us

Donor Development Strategies, LLC
141 Union Boulevard
Suite 300
Lakewood, CO 80228
Phone: (720) 536-8705

[email protected]