November’s Nonprofit Blog Carnival – Giving Thanks
As part of November’s nonprofit blog carnival, I’d like to share some creative answers to the question: How are you giving thanks?
Oh, how I love creating special ‘thank yous’ to donors. When an organizational supporter writes a check, or makes an online donation, it’s an expression of their interest in good work being done or great service being rendered. Amidst the busyness of life, they’ve taken time to give a gift. Wow. That’s special. Often, that’s deserving of a unique expression of gratitude.
Yes, beyond the typical ‘thank you’ letter, there are many ways to personalize this communication with donors. I’d like to share a few approaches. These ideas were generated out of a desire to go out of our way to personalize gratitude.
- The executive director sent an originally crafted thank you card. (Scrapbooking was the ED’s hobby.)
- In a personalized thank you note (handwritten), I’ve told the donor that the organization was going to do something special at the facility – just for them. (i.e. put a bouquet of flowers near their favorite picture in the lobby (and take a picture of those flowers, and send it to them); remember their prayer intentions at Mass (for faith-based, Catholic setting), etc.)
- I’ve created a special ‘thank you day,’ where the donor is invited to lunch at the organization. Patrons who have benefited from their kindness shared testimonies of thanks.
- Sending original pictures (either hard copy or digital) that were taken just for them. The pictures were of happy patrons, often showing something that was made possible because of the donor’s gift.
- I’ve had several patrons, or staff members (whom the donor knows and has a fondness for) sing a few bars of a thank you song into a special voicemail message.
In the busyness of life, where professional responsibilities take the lion’s share of their day, a donor should be pleasantly surprised by grateful communications. These are moments that will stick in their memory – moments that will spark future conversation, and engage them more closely with the organization.
A few reminders that help tailor thank you correspondence:
- Know what’s close to the donor’s heart. Remembering a few of their favorite things.
- Think of how the donor communicates. Use their preferred method of communication.
- Think of ways to make the acknowledgment come alive!
- Where appropriate, use social media to transmit the message.
- Make sure the format and content is appropriate for the organization, and the donor.
These are just a few of the 1001 ways to give thanks that I’m collecting for my blog. This has been a great exercise for starting this blog feature.
For more information about November’s nonprofit blog carnival hosted by Pamela Grow, check out: http://www.pamelagrow.com/1764/november%E2%80%99s-nonprofit-blog-carnival-how-are-you-giving-thanks/
I can’t wait to see more dynamic ways to say ‘thank you!’
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