EP 22: The Formula for Fundraising Success with Diana Hoyt
Update: 2025-04-22
Description
In this episode of The Responsive Lab, Virtuous co-hosts Carly Berna and Scott Holthaus talk with Diana Hoyt, founder of Formula for Fundraising.
With over four decades in the nonprofit world, Diana shares her signature philosophy—”Know Your Numbers, Know Your Donors"—and how data and human connection can work together to boost donor engagement and retention.
Diana offers practical tips for nonprofits looking to create meaningful donor experiences, segment effectively, and balance technology with personal touchpoints. She also shares how her journey into stand-up comedy has brought even more heart to her fundraising work.
Key Takeaways:
- Why personalization goes far beyond using a donor’s name
- How to segment donors by interest, geography, and giving patterns
- The role of small VIP events in donor engagement
- Where automation helps—and where it doesn’t
- Why notes, phone calls, and even front-desk conversations matter
- How recurring giving and thoughtful stewardship increase retention
To learn more or connect with Diana, visit Formula for Fundraising: https://www.formulaforfundraising.com
Meanwhile, discover more about The Responsive Lab: virtuous.org/podcast
The Responsive Lab is brought to you by Virtuous.
Virtuous is a software company committed to helping nonprofits grow generosity. Virtuous believes that generosity has the power to create profound change in the world and in the heart of the giver. With that in mind, it’s their mission to move the needle on global generosity by helping nonprofits better connect with and inspire their givers. Learn more about Virtuous at virtuous.org/learnmore and download your free Nonprofit CRM Checklist at virtuous.org/crmchecklist.
Special thanks to editor and sound engineer Barry R. Hill and producer Abigail Morse.
With over four decades in the nonprofit world, Diana shares her signature philosophy—”Know Your Numbers, Know Your Donors"—and how data and human connection can work together to boost donor engagement and retention.
Diana offers practical tips for nonprofits looking to create meaningful donor experiences, segment effectively, and balance technology with personal touchpoints. She also shares how her journey into stand-up comedy has brought even more heart to her fundraising work.
Key Takeaways:
- Why personalization goes far beyond using a donor’s name
- How to segment donors by interest, geography, and giving patterns
- The role of small VIP events in donor engagement
- Where automation helps—and where it doesn’t
- Why notes, phone calls, and even front-desk conversations matter
- How recurring giving and thoughtful stewardship increase retention
To learn more or connect with Diana, visit Formula for Fundraising: https://www.formulaforfundraising.com
Meanwhile, discover more about The Responsive Lab: virtuous.org/podcast
The Responsive Lab is brought to you by Virtuous.
Virtuous is a software company committed to helping nonprofits grow generosity. Virtuous believes that generosity has the power to create profound change in the world and in the heart of the giver. With that in mind, it’s their mission to move the needle on global generosity by helping nonprofits better connect with and inspire their givers. Learn more about Virtuous at virtuous.org/learnmore and download your free Nonprofit CRM Checklist at virtuous.org/crmchecklist.
Special thanks to editor and sound engineer Barry R. Hill and producer Abigail Morse.
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