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  • 1.  Contact Restrictions

    Posted 05-16-2023 03:49 PM

    I've been asked to take a look at how our peers are handling contact restrictions for our donors (emphasis on major and principal). We have found that over time, some of our most generous donors have had stringent restrictions (i.e., No Contact Ever, Do Not Invite to Events, No E-Mail Ever) applied to their records, either by former/current development staff, by request of the donor that have since been involved, or a system conversion. There are some cases where we are not sure how or why the coding was applied (boo, bad record keeping!). My questions for the group -- Do you have a protocol or a process in place to review donor records for contact restrictions? If yes, how frequently are you reviewing them? Also, do you have a process to mass remove outdated restrictions? If so, what is your process?

    Thanks in advance!



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    LaKiesha Gayden
    The George Washington University
    lgayden@gwu.edu
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  • 2.  RE: Contact Restrictions

    Posted 05-16-2023 04:13 PM
    Regularly reviewing contact restrictions is a common practice and one I strongly urge. You'll want to figure out how often this should be done. I've seen it as frequently as every three years but no longer than five.

    The review is a manual one, performed with care and sensitivity. It usually involves a letter mailed to the preferred address and hand-signed by someone of sufficient authority to suggest that the letter is official. But this is your call.

    The letter acknowledges the current restriction(s), and that you have done your best to honor those restrictions. The letter goes on to say how you hope enough time has lapsed that you hope they will consider removing the restriction.

    The letter closes with a statement that they do not need to do anything if they wish for the restriction to remain. But offers an easy way for them to remove the restriction - either by email, phone, or website.

    You will occasionally hear from someone that is adamant about not being contacted "forever," either at all or via a particular method. For these individuals, you should establish a unique "permanent" code that excludes those individuals from future attempts to bring them back into the fold.

    John

    John H. Taylor
    Principal
    John H. Taylor Consulting, LLC
    2604 Sevier St.
    Durham, NC   27705
    919.816.5903 (cell/text)

    Serving the Advancement Community Since 1987




    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Contact Restrictions

    Posted 05-17-2023 08:29 AM

    Thanks so much, John. The letter/postcard will be our highest priority followed by the 3-5 year review. I will share your suggestions and language for the letter with our project team to make sure we follow a gentle but direct approach.

    Thanks again,



    ------------------------------
    LaKiesha Gayden
    The George Washington University
    lgayden@gwu.edu
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


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