Feb 15, 2026

7 Donor Survey Questions for Faith-Based Nonprofits

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Faith-based nonprofits need to understand what drives their donors. Surveys are a direct way to gather insights, improve communication, and build stronger connections. This article outlines seven key donor survey questions to help organizations align with supporter values, improve donor satisfaction, and identify opportunities for deeper engagement.

Key Takeaways:

Understand donor motivations: Ask open-ended questions to uncover why donors support your mission.
Assess mission clarity: Ensure donors understand your goals and values.
Measure communication satisfaction: Find out if donors feel informed about the impact of their contributions.
Analyze giving patterns: Learn how often donors give and what might inspire them to give more.
Gauge program engagement: Identify which programs resonate most with your donors.
Address challenges: Pinpoint barriers that might discourage donations or participation.
Explore legacy giving: Discuss long-term commitments and how donors can leave a lasting impact.

Surveys are only effective if you act on the feedback. Use these questions to strengthen donor relationships and improve your nonprofit’s efforts.

7 Essential Donor Survey Questions for Faith-Based Nonprofits

🔴 #73: 5 steps to get started with donor surveys, with Louis Diez

1. What motivates you to support our faith-based mission?

Understanding why donors support your mission is key to building a deeper connection. Research from DonorGraphics and One & All highlights a powerful insight: the top reason people give is "to support a cause that has affected me or a loved one". For faith-based nonprofits, this often extends to seeking spiritual growth and a closer relationship with God.

To uncover these motivations, it’s best to frame this as an open-ended question rather than providing predefined options. When donors share their spiritual journeys in their own words, you gain valuable, heartfelt insights. Carrie Cousins emphasizes that this approach reveals the emotional and personal connections that inspire generosity. Personal stories can be incredibly revealing - and powerful.

Take this example: Together For Youth invited donors to share a cherished childhood memory. This simple prompt unearthed deeply personal motivations for their support. Similarly, faith-based organizations can ask donors if they feel inspired by your programs or if their faith has grown since becoming involved with your mission. These questions help determine whether your work is meeting their spiritual needs, not just their financial willingness to give.

Use these insights to refine donation receipts and impact statements. You can also download donor welcome series examples to further nurture these new relationships. By incorporating language that reflects donors' spiritual motivations, you can create stronger ties between their values and your mission. When you speak to what truly drives them, you deepen their connection to your cause.

2. How well do you understand our mission and values?

Understanding why donors give is important, but it’s equally critical to know if they understand you. If donors don’t fully grasp your mission and values, they’ll have a harder time connecting with your work. This question allows you to assess whether your messaging is clear or if it’s getting lost along the way. For faith-based organizations, a disconnect here could point to deeper misalignment with your ministry strategy. And that can weaken the foundation of long-term relationships.

To dig into this, ask donors to rate their familiarity with your mission on a scale from 1 to 5. Then follow up with: "What part of our mission resonates most with you?". This approach not only measures how well they understand your work but also highlights the values and programs they care about most. If you notice certain initiatives striking a chord, those could become key focus areas in future appeals.

Make sure to adjust your communication for different donor groups. For example, first-time donors may need more clarity about your mission, while long-term supporters might appreciate deeper insights. Another great question to ask is: "How would you describe our mission to others?". Their answers can reveal whether their perception aligns with your internal goals.

It’s also worth checking how well your leadership reflects your mission. Ask: "How well do our leaders embody our values and mission?" For faith-based nonprofits, this is especially critical, as donors and congregants often look to leaders to live out the spiritual principles they represent. In fact, understanding and clarity around values can be a deciding factor for support - especially in a time when only 45% of Americans reported belonging to a church or synagogue in 2023.

Once you’ve gathered responses, take action. If donors express confusion about specific programs or how their contributions are used, consider sharing more impact stories or regular updates. These insights can help you refine your messaging and even adjust how leadership communicates your mission. As fundraising expert Tom Ahern explains:

"Donor surveys are the thermometers of fundraising. Surveys can tell us whether donor sentiment is running hot or cold, positive or negative."

3. Are you satisfied with how we communicate the impact of your donations?

Donors need to see the difference their contributions make. One of the main reasons donors give only once is uncertainty about how their gifts are being used. For faith-based nonprofits, this lack of clarity can be especially damaging. Supporters often see these organizations as part of their extended community and expect consistent, transparent updates about how their tithes and offerings are making an impact.

This question helps you gauge whether your communication is hitting the mark. Ask donors to rate their satisfaction on a 1-to-10 scale, then follow up with: "What specific information or stories about the impact of your donations would you like us to share more frequently?" This approach provides measurable benchmarks and actionable insights. While some donors may prefer detailed financial reports, others might connect more with personal stories.

Timing matters, too. Send your survey within 24 to 72 hours after a donation or event. You can also ask: "Do you feel that our communication methods (e.g., emails, newsletters, social media) effectively highlight how your contributions are making a difference?" This question not only identifies what to share but also reveals the best channels for delivering updates. Gathering feedback promptly allows you to make immediate adjustments.

Once you collect responses, act quickly. Clear reporting on impact builds trust and strengthens donor relationships. Use the feedback to refine your communication strategy. As Neon One puts it:

"Measuring impact is central to donor retention. When donors understand how their gifts create change, they're significantly more likely to give again."

Close the loop by sharing a "you said, we did" update. Show donors how their feedback has shaped your communication efforts. This step reinforces their connection to your mission and underscores their role in driving change.

One last thing: never ask for feedback unless you’re prepared to act on it. Ignoring donor input can do more harm than good. Make sure you’re ready to turn their insights into meaningful improvements.

4. How often do you give, and would you consider increasing your contributions?

Understanding how often donors give can reveal opportunities to strengthen their loyalty and deepen their connection to your cause. Just as motivations and communication preferences vary, so do giving patterns. Research shows that donors fall into different categories: Planned Givers (16%) who give routinely, Selective Givers (17%) who contribute spontaneously, and Habitual Givers (6%) who give consistently regardless of income level.

Start by asking donors about their giving habits - whether they give one-time, monthly, quarterly, or annually. Then follow up with a question like: "What inspires you to give as frequently as you do to our faith-based nonprofit?" This can uncover whether their giving is driven by routine practices like tithing, emotional connections, or specific campaigns. Patricia Snell Herzog, Associate Professor at Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, explains:

"Habitual Givers are highly religiously active with lower income levels. These are the prototypical tithers, who can give more from less".

You might also ask whether providing clearer impact updates would encourage them to give more often. For example, in 2024, Jewish Voice Ministries International successfully re-engaged lapsed donors - those who hadn’t given in 9–12 months - through personalized emails and voicemails. This effort resulted in a 684% return on investment, which climbed to 1,000% when follow-up donations were included.

For donors less likely to increase their contributions, explore what might inspire them to give more frequently or generously. Questions about program successes, financial transparency, or impact stories can help identify barriers, such as confusing donation forms or a lack of compelling updates. Keep in mind that different types of donors respond to different triggers. For instance, Planned Givers value systematic updates, while Impulsive Givers are more motivated by emotional, attention-grabbing appeals.

To refine your approach, segment your surveys based on giving history. Create tailored versions for monthly sustainers and one-time donors to uncover what might encourage a shift from occasional to routine giving. For the most consistent givers, such as tithers, avoid overwhelming them with frequent requests - a well-timed reminder is often more effective than constant communication. These insights can help you design strategies to guide donors toward deeper levels of engagement and generosity.

5. How engaged are you with our programs, events, or faith-based activities?

Knowing which programs your donors participate in can help you create more meaningful connections and craft appeals that resonate. Some donors might be drawn to hands-on service opportunities, while others may lean toward worship or educational activities. To capture this diversity, surveys should include both quantitative and qualitative questions.

Include multiple-choice options for core programs to gather clear data. Examples could include Vacation Bible School, holiday services, Bible study groups, or faith-based sports camps. These prompts encourage donors to provide specific responses, offering a snapshot of their preferences and participation levels. Faith-based organizations often see engagement across a variety of activities, such as worship services, children’s ministries, missions teams, discipleship programs, and community fundraisers.

To go deeper, ask donors what they enjoyed most. Personal testimonials can offer valuable insights. For instance, in 2024, the New York-based child welfare agency Together for Youth used a survey during their "Summer to Remember" initiative, asking donors, "Do you have a childhood memory you'd like to share?" Eric Guzman, their Director of Development, shared that this approach not only personalized the giving experience but also highlighted trends among groups like foster parents and front-line staff.

Timing is key. Sending short satisfaction surveys within 48 hours of an event or program ensures you capture fresh impressions. This can help you measure the program’s impact and identify which donors may need further engagement.

For even better insights, segment surveys for new versus long-term donors, and integrate the results into your CRM. This allows you to track patterns, like donors who consistently attend events but don’t increase their financial contributions. These details can help refine your communication strategies and make your outreach more personal and effective.

6. What challenges have you faced when donating or interacting with us?

Understanding the hurdles donors face is just as important as knowing what motivates them. This question helps pinpoint the obstacles that might discourage donors from completing their gifts. Common issues include technical problems like confusing forms, lack of mobile-friendly design, or limited payment options such as PayPal, Venmo, or Apple Pay. Similarly, the absence of recurring donation options or fee coverage choices can lead to frustration and abandonment.

Administrative delays, like late tax receipts or unclear donation confirmations, can leave donors feeling unappreciated. As the saying goes, "the best fundraising strategy starts with listening." A simple way to gather feedback is by using a 1–10 rating scale to measure how convenient the donation process feels, followed by an open-ended question to capture specific suggestions.

For faith-based organizations, physical and social barriers also come into play. First-time visitors might find it hard to locate the building, navigate parking, or figure out where key facilities like restrooms are. On top of that, social dynamics can be a challenge - 24% of Gen X and 23% of millennials report feeling excluded by cliques in church settings, which can negatively impact their willingness to give.

To address these issues, test your donation forms across different devices to ensure a smooth experience. Send out satisfaction surveys within 48 hours to gather immediate feedback. Ask donors if they received their receipts promptly and whether they faced any challenges during in-person visits. Including an open-ended text box in these surveys allows you to capture details that multiple-choice questions might miss.

Once you've identified and resolved these challenges, make sure to share the improvements with your donors. Letting them know their feedback has led to tangible changes not only builds trust but also strengthens their connection to your mission. By addressing these pain points, you'll create a better experience and encourage stronger donor engagement.

7. Would you consider leaving a legacy gift or making a long-term commitment?

This question goes beyond immediate support, inviting donors to think about their lasting impact. By exploring motivations for long-term giving, you open the door to meaningful conversations about how their contributions can sustain your faith-based mission for generations. Legacy gifts - such as bequests, retirement assets, life insurance beneficiary designations, or charitable gift annuities - offer a way for donors to leave a lasting mark. Instead of focusing on estate planning details, frame the question around their life story and the legacy they wish to create.

Legacy giving is an incredibly effective fundraising strategy, yielding approximately $56.83 for every $1 invested. It also tends to increase annual giving, with donors contributing an additional $3,000 on average. With an estimated $84 trillion expected to transfer between generations in the coming years, this is a prime opportunity to engage donors in discussions about legacy gifts.

To deepen the conversation, ask what factors might inspire them to consider a legacy gift. You could also explore specific options, such as bequests (the most common type, averaging $46,594), charitable gift annuities, or qualified charitable distributions from retirement accounts. In 2023, 15% of individuals using FreeWill to create estate plans included a bequest, collectively amounting to $2.36 billion.

"Legacy giving represents an incredible opportunity for nonprofit organizations to deepen relationships with supporters and sustain their work for decades to come." - FreeWill

Incorporate these insights into your donor survey strategy thoughtfully. However, only ask about legacy giving if you have a solid follow-up plan. Failing to act on their interest could erode the trust needed for long-term commitments. Practical next steps might include offering online tools for creating bequests, connecting donors with financial planners, or establishing a Legacy Society. A Legacy Society can honor these supporters with exclusive events or permanent recognition, helping to nurture their connection to your mission. Since most legacy gifts are revocable, maintaining strong relationships is crucial to ensure the gift remains part of their final plans.

How to Run Effective Donor Surveys

To gather meaningful insights from your donors and strengthen your faith-based mission, it's important to approach surveys thoughtfully. Timing, distribution methods, and follow-through all play key roles in making donor surveys effective.

Timing Matters
Send satisfaction surveys within 48 hours of a donation to capture fresh impressions. For annual surveys, the best time is either at the end of the year or right after major giving events like GivingTuesday.

Keep It Short
Attention spans are limited, so aim for brevity. Use 3–5 questions for quarterly check-ins and fewer than 10 questions for annual surveys. Longer surveys tend to lower response rates.

Choose the Right Distribution Methods

Email works best for most donors, offering convenience and accessibility.
For older members who prefer physical formats, provide printed copies after Sunday services.
For major donors, personal phone calls can yield more detailed and valuable feedback.

These tailored approaches help ensure your surveys align with the habits and preferences of different donor groups.

Tone and Language
The tone of your survey is just as important as its structure. Faith-based nonprofits should use language that reflects their mission and values. For example, ask questions about how your organization supports spiritual growth or helps donors use their God-given talents. Additionally, always include an anonymous response option for sensitive topics like leadership or financial decisions.

Boosting Response Rates
Typical survey response rates range from 15–25%, though major donors may respond at higher rates of 30–40%. To improve participation, send a reminder email 5–7 days after the initial survey - this can increase responses by another 10–15%.

Follow Through
Donors want to know their feedback matters. Share 2–3 specific changes you’ve made based on survey results. Ignoring feedback can erode trust and harm relationships.

If donor retention and engagement remain a challenge, professional services can help. Share Services specializes in donor retention strategies and digital marketing solutions for nonprofits with revenues between $1 million and $20 million. Their targeted campaigns and engagement programs are designed to help faith-based organizations build stronger connections with supporters.

Wrapping It Up

These seven survey questions offer faith-based nonprofits a practical way to move past assumptions and gain a clear understanding of what truly matters to their donors. Well-designed surveys can reveal whether donor attitudes are positive, negative, or somewhere in between, giving you actionable insights.

Once you’ve gathered feedback, it’s essential to act on it. Share the changes you’ve made - whether it’s clearer reporting on your impact, improved communication, or new ways for donors to engage with your mission. These steps not only show donors that their input matters but also help build stronger connections. As we’ve discussed earlier, effective communication is key. When donors see their feedback leading to real improvements, their trust grows, and their commitment deepens.

However, failing to act on feedback can do more harm than good. If donors take the time to share their thoughts and nothing changes, they may feel overlooked. Always close the loop by sharing what you’ve learned and explaining how their input has shaped your next steps.

By regularly seeking feedback and following through, you can strengthen trust and foster long-term relationships with your donors. When supporters see that their voices help shape your mission, they’ll feel like true partners in your work - not just contributors.

For more tailored strategies to enhance donor engagement, check out Share Services.

FAQs

How do I choose which donors should get which survey?

To determine which donors should receive a survey, start by segmenting them according to their connection with your organization and the kind of feedback you're seeking. For instance, you might send program-specific surveys to recent donors who contributed to a particular initiative or distribute general feedback surveys to your larger donor base. Setting clear goals and categorizing donors by factors like donation history, frequency, or demographics helps ensure the questions are relevant. This approach leads to better response rates and more useful feedback.

What’s the best way to ask about faith and spirituality without making donors uncomfortable?

To engage with faith and spirituality thoughtfully, it's important to use open-ended and respectful questions that honor donors' beliefs. For instance, you could ask, "In what ways does your faith motivate your support for our mission?" or "Are there spiritual principles that influence your involvement with us?" These questions should always be optional and phrased in a way that makes donors feel appreciated. Highlight that their input helps improve efforts to serve the community effectively.

How can we turn survey feedback into higher donor retention?

To keep donors coming back, make the most of survey feedback to build stronger connections and improve how you engage with them. Let donors see that their opinions count by making real changes based on what they share. Ask focused questions regularly - find out what drives them, how they feel about their impact, and how they prefer to stay in touch. This approach builds trust, shows gratitude, and creates a sense of collaboration, making the donor experience more personal and encouraging lasting support.