The Thanksgiving Table of Donor Data: Why Every Seat Matters

Every Thanksgiving table tells a story — one of connection, tradition, and gratitude. There’s a seat for everyone: the family member who’s always early, the friend who returns after years away, and the new guest experiencing the celebration for the first time.


In fundraising, the same truth applies. Every donor — loyal, lapsed, or newly acquired — deserves a seat at your table. With Donor Science™, nonprofits can ensure no one is overlooked. By combining Lapsed Reactivation and Ask Array Models, and insights from Donor Dynamics Reports, organizations can extend their reach, rekindle relationships, and serve every donor the right message at the right time.


Setting the Table: Inviting Every Donor Back with Donor Science™

Too often, fundraisers focus their energy on the most active donors — those who give year after year. But what about those who used to give but have quietly slipped away? These are the alumni of your mission: once passionate, now waiting for the right reason to re-engage.


That’s where VeraData’s Lapsed Reactivation Models come in. Powered by AI and Machine Learning–driven predictive analytics, they help nonprofits pinpoint who among their long-lapsed donors is most likely to respond to a renewed invitation.


In one Children’s Health campaign, this approach expanded the organization’s donor file by 30%, bringing thousands of deep-lapsed supporters back to the table. These weren’t just names in a database — they were donors who still cared, waiting for the right message to reengage them in the cause.

Serving the Right Portion: Precision with Ask Array Models

Just as every Thanksgiving guest has a different appetite, every donor has a different capacity to give. Ask Array Models ensure fundraisers never ask for too much or too little. By analyzing historical giving behavior, income indicators, and engagement data, these models tailor ask amounts to each donor’s true potential.


In the same Children’s Health campaign cited above, pairing Ask Array Models with Lapsed Reactivation efforts didn’t just re-engage old friends — it elevated their giving. The average gift jumped 80%, and cost per dollar raised (CPDR) dropped 32%, proving that personalization didn’t just feel good — it paid off.


Making Room for Everyone: A Data-Driven Approach with Heart

At VeraData, we believe data doesn’t replace empathy — it amplifies it. Donor Science™ empowers nonprofits to combine analytics and human understanding, turning insight into action and generosity into growth.

  • Lapsed Reactivation ensures no one is left behind.
  • Ask Array Models deliver personalized precision.
  • Donor Dynamics Reports reveal where in the donor lifecycle performance can be strengthened.

Together, these tools transform a campaign from a generic mailing into a meaningful invitation that says, “You still belong here.”

The Science Behind the Seat

What makes Donor Science™ unique? It’s a 360° approach that integrates:

  • Thoughtful Data: Deep donor insights that uncover hidden value.
  • Better Models: Predictive and prescriptive analytics that reveal next-best actions.
  • Smarter Metrics: Campaign performance dashboards that close the loop between strategy and outcomes.

This ecosystem — powered by AI, Machine Learning, and decades of nonprofit expertise — transforms disconnected data into actionable intelligence, ensuring every donor interaction strengthens long-term value.

A Feast of Generosity

This Thanksgiving, remember that your donor table is only complete when everyone has a seat and feels understood and valued as a donor. Data makes that possible.


Because when nonprofits use Donor Science™ to combine insight, empathy, and strategy, generosity isn’t just served — it’s shared.

A Second Helping of Gratitude: How Data-Driven Direct Mail ReMail™ Campaigns Multiply Donor Impact

As Thanksgiving approaches, our thoughts turn naturally to gratitude — for good food, good company, and the second helpings that make the holiday memorable. In fundraising, there’s another kind of “second helping” that deserves attention: the strategic direct mail follow-up known as ReMail™.


Just like Thanksgiving leftovers give us a chance to enjoy something meaningful again, a well-timed direct mail follow-up gives your first appeal a second chance to inspire action.


Making the Most of What’s Already Good

Even the strongest direct mail appeals can get lost in a busy season. People intend to give, but they forget. ReMail™ gives them another chance.


This second drop isn’t a repeat — it’s a data-informed re-engagement tactic. Using insights from the first mailing, VeraData helps nonprofits identify which supporters are most likely to respond to a reminder. The timing, creative treatment, and message are optimized for conversion while the emotional tone stays genuine.


A ReMail™ campaign, sent two to four weeks after the original drop, captures those who simply needed another moment — or another nudge — to give. It makes every dollar of your first campaign work harder.


Data Meets Gratitude: The Science Behind the Second Drop

VeraData’s Donor Science™ approach transforms traditional direct mail into a precision instrument. Our ReMail™ Model uses years of campaign performance data and advanced machine learning to predict which donors are most likely to respond to a second appeal. This means your follow-up mailings are targeted, cost-efficient, and grounded in real donor behavior — not guesswork.


It’s a data-driven expression of appreciation: we see you, we value you, and we’re giving you another opportunity to make a difference.


That thoughtful precision pays off. On average, second-drop mailings outperform initial appeals, turning “thank you for considering” into “thank you for giving.”


A Case Study in Second Chances

One VeraData nonprofit client in the education and social services sector faced declining acquisition response rates and turned to ReMail™ to re-energize their outreach. The results were transformative.


By letting data drive both timing and targeting, the client saw a 50% increase in response rate on their first drop and a 58% year-over-year boost on the ReMail™ second drop. Even more impressive: overall acquisition performance improved with 39% more new donors and a 58% increase in total revenue.

That’s the power of combining heartfelt appeals with analytical precision — a perfect recipe for success during the season of giving.


Serving Gratitude All Year Long

Gratitude shouldn’t end when the holiday does. The same principle applies to donor engagement. A well-timed, data-guided ReMail™ tells supporters: your gift still matters, and it’s never too late to make an impact.

It’s not just about sending another piece of mail — it’s about reinforcing connection, strengthening trust, and maximizing the return on every campaign investment.

Because when appreciation is followed by action, generosity multiplies.

Discover how VeraData’s data-driven ReMail™ strategy can help you re-engage donors, improve ROI, and extend the spirit of gratitude long after Thanksgiving.