Glossary
CRM Basics

Donor Tagging Strategies

By: Alec Hollingsworth
Updated:  
August 6, 2025

Definition:

Donor tagging strategies are methods for labeling and grouping donors in a database to enable targeted communication and personalized engagement.
Donor tagging strategies are systematic methods for categorizing and labeling donors within a nonprofit’s database using tags—customizable keywords or phrases—to group supporters by shared traits, behaviors, interests, or giving history. These strategies enable organizations to efficiently segment donors for targeted communications, personalized stewardship, and tailored fundraising campaigns. Effective donor tagging involves setting clear criteria for each tag, maintaining consistent usage across the organization, and periodically reviewing tags for relevance. By leveraging tagging strategies, nonprofits can streamline data management, improve engagement, and maximize fundraising outcomes, all while ensuring that donor interactions feel personal and relevant.

Key Takeaways

  • Helps segment donors for personalized outreach
  • Improves campaign targeting and stewardship
  • Requires consistent and strategic tag management
  • Enables better data analysis and reporting

Why It Matters

Effective donor tagging boosts engagement and fundraising by enabling personalized outreach.

Real World Example

A mid-sized animal welfare nonprofit uses Keela’s tagging features to classify donors by participation in events, volunteer activities, and giving frequency. For their annual fundraising gala, they quickly identify and invite previous event attendees using the 'Gala Donor' tag. Simultaneously, they send tailored volunteer appreciation emails to those tagged as 'Active Volunteers.' By strategically tagging donors, the organization ensures each group receives relevant messages, improving event attendance and donor retention. After the campaign, they analyze tagged groups’ engagement, using the insights to refine future outreach and tagging criteria.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a donor tagging strategy?

A donor tagging strategy is a method of organizing donors using customizable tags, allowing nonprofits to group supporters for targeted communication.

Why should nonprofits use donor tagging?

Tagging helps nonprofits segment their audience, personalize engagement, and increase the effectiveness of fundraising and stewardship efforts.

How does Keela support donor tagging strategies?

Keela offers customizable tags and automation tools, making it easy to segment donors, manage tags, and create targeted communication lists.

What types of tags are commonly used?

Common tags include event participation, giving frequency, volunteer status, interests, and campaign involvement.

Can donor tagging improve reporting?

Yes, consistent donor tagging enables more insightful analysis and reporting on donor behaviors and campaign outcomes.

Related Terms

Accessibility Compliance
Automation Trigger in a Nonprofit CRM
Average Gift Size
Board Member Profile
Bounce Rate
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