Scaling Stewardship with Heart: Simple Ways Small Nonprofits Can Deepen Donor Relationships

In the hustle of running a small nonprofit, donor stewardship often falls to the bottom of the to-do list. With limited staff, time, and resources, it's easy to feel like you can’t do more than send a year-end thank you or a tax receipt.

But here’s the truth: meaningful stewardship doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. In fact, small teams are uniquely positioned to build genuine, trust-based relationships with supporters. With a few intentional tweaks, you can scale stewardship in ways that feel authentic—without burning out your team.

Here are five simple, scalable ways to do it: