Hands-On Fundraising

Donor Communications | Fundraising Strategy

  • About
  • Blog
  • Praise
  • Services
  • Contact

Why is it so damned hard to say thank you?

thank you letters matter. Do them right.

We spend a lot of time thinking about how to raise more money. We labor over the appeal: the language, the images, the right ask. And then, too often, we treat the thank you as an afterthought. It’s really not that hard to write a good, emotional thank you letter. No harder than it is […]

Filed Under: Blog, Thanks Tagged With: donor love, emotional fundraising, thank you letter 7 Comments

Donor love means knowing how to say thank you

happy boy with ice cream cone

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 […]

Filed Under: Blog, Thanks Tagged With: donor relations, donor retention, thank you letters 10 Comments

12 ways you can thank your donors

how to 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 […]

Filed Under: Blog, Thanks Tagged With: donor love, donor retention, thank you 4 Comments

Feeling stuck? How to write a thank you that works

Thank you letters that work

(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 […]

Filed Under: Blog, Thanks Tagged With: donor love, donor relations, thank you 15 Comments

Try this fresh twist on Giving Tuesday

A 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. […]

Filed Under: Blog, Thanks Tagged With: donor love, relationship fundraising, Thanks 4 Comments

« Previous Page
Next Page »

Fundraising advice served fresh to your inbox

Get yours here:

Search

Recent Posts

  • What you need to know about before and after
  • How to feel more confident
  • Donor touches? Paper is still your best bet
  • Create a photobank this year
  • What’s in a name? Respect

Work with me!

Let's talk about how I can help your organization raise more money.

Contact

  • Donor communications
  • Fundraising Strategy

Copyright © 2021 · Mary Cahalane · Hands-On Fundraising · P.O. Box 183 · Plantsville, CT 06479