It would seem to be the simplest thing. Saying thank you shouldn’t be hard. If you’re comfortable saying “please” – as in “please give” – you need to feel even more at ease with being grateful. Then why do so many organizations fail at this? Thanks are the one area where smaller organizations often out-perform […]
12 ways you can thank your donors
Saying thank you is a critical part of fundraising. Sometimes, we can focus most attention on getting a gift. But great thanks are key to getting the next gift. Here are 12 ideas of how to thank your donors. 1. A prompt, personal, sincere thank you letter This is the least you should do, of […]
Feeling stuck? How to write a thank you that works
(Originally published last year) It’s the end of the year. You’ve done everything to make the most of these last few weeks. Now you have lots of thank you letters to write. But you’re feeling stuck. Where do you start? Here’s my quick how-to. First, a confession: I used to write rote, boring, perfunctory thank you […]
Try this fresh twist on Giving Tuesday
I’m not a particular fan of Giving Tuesday. In my experience as a staffer, I found it a time-suck. Worse, if yours is an organization without a strong community profile (a “best-kept secret”), it’s time spent building recognition for Giving Tuesday, not for your organization. And of course, it doesn’t always raise much money, either. […]
16+ ways to say thank you better: September Nonprofit Blog Carnival
Photo credit: Hello Goodbye Why is it that saying thank you well seems to be an after-thought? A sincere, emotional, meaningful thank you is a critical step in donor relations. It’s also just plain polite. Secure a gift then flub the thanks and you may have seen the last of that donor. Saying thank you […]