Many donors say they want charities to thank them for their gifts and show them how their money will be put to use. In fact, one of the key reasons donors stop giving is that they don't have a sense their money has made a difference, numerous studies show.

Very few charities have taken that lesson to heart, says Kivi Leroux Miller, a nonprofit communications consultant who conducted an experiment and found that only three out of 10 prominent charities responded after she gave each group $20. The groups that did respond sent form letters that did not include any personal communications.

During these tough economic times, many fund raisers complain that they are having a difficult time recruiting new donors. But is that in part because they ignore the small-gift donors they already have?

Join us on Tuesday, March 2, at noon Eastern time, for a live discussion with Ms. Miller, the author of The Nonprofit Marketing Guide: High-Impact, Low-Cost Ways to Build Support for your Good Cause.

Ms. Miller will offer ideas on  effective communications strategies, including tips for writing thank-you notes that inspire future gifts. She will also take questions about how to prevent new supporters from slipping away and explore ways to ensure that you aren't ignoring unsolicited gifts.

The free discussion will take place in the display window below. A full transcript will also be available for those who cannot attend.

To submit a question in advance, send an e-mail to discussions@philanthropy.com.