Agatha, the Perfect Retention Witch? 5 Lessons for Nonprofits on Keeping Your Magic Alive

In Agatha All Along, our favorite witch isn’t just a master of spells—she’s a pro at persistence, power, and reinvention. Nonprofits can take a page from Agatha’s book to tackle challenges like donor retention, burnout, and team resilience.

Here are five retention secrets, straight from Agatha’s spellbook, to keep your organization thriving.

Agatha’s approach to failure is refreshingly straightforward: Own it, learn from it, and move forward with a plan. Nonprofits can do the same. Instead of burying mishaps, gather your team, analyze what didn’t work, and turn every setback into a learning moment. This approach not only improves results over time but builds a culture of resilience and growth.

Agatha never lets a setback keep her down—she finds new ways to turn her “losses” into opportunities. For nonprofits, this can mean rethinking fundraising goals or program approaches when they fall short.

When a strategy doesn’t work, take it as an invitation to pivot or explore fresh ideas that align more closely with your audience’s needs. It’s all about seeing possibilities where others see problems.

Agatha’s success isn’t just about her individual power—it’s about her coven, a network of diverse allies with unique skills.

Nonprofits, too, need a “coven” of supporters, volunteers, mentors, and collaborators who bring a mix of talents to the table. Building and nurturing this network will keep your organization adaptable, innovative, and better equipped to handle challenges.

One of Agatha’s best qualities?

She’s always ready to change her approach to reach her goals. Nonprofits benefit from this same adaptability, whether it’s adjusting to donor trends, embracing new technology, or being open to feedback.

Cultivate a culture of flexibility, where new ideas are encouraged, and remember that a willingness to pivot is essential for long-term retention and success.

Agatha’s power lies in her ability to evolve. Nonprofits can embrace this by consistently refreshing their approaches to donor engagement, program delivery, and team culture.

Rather than sticking to “the way it’s always been,” try new campaigns, explore innovative donor retention strategies, and seek feedback from supporters. Reinvention keeps your mission exciting and your supporters engaged.

Keeping donors, volunteers, and staff engaged takes more than a single approach. Like Agatha, nonprofit leaders need to embrace the power of reinvention, resilience, and collaboration to keep the magic alive in their mission.

And if you’re ready to dive deeper, grab our 10 Steps Mini Guide for more actionable strategies to help you cast a retention spell that sticks.

👉 Get the 10 Steps Mini Guide here

Here’s to keeping your nonprofit magic alive—Agatha style.

You’ve got this, Bestie!