Top Thank You Tips
The best acknowledgement strategies involved much more than a form thank you letter.
Donors are partners. Partnership is a two-way relationship. Partners make it financially possible for your ministry to operate; your organization, in turn, makes it possible for partners to participate in ministry.
Make sure you take a giant step forward in relationship-building when your thank yous are –
Immediate. Have a Thank You confirmation letter set up to be personalized with the donor’s name, address, and gift amount so copies can be generated each day when the mail arrives. Turn around thank yous within 72 hours of receiving a gift.
Personal. Task a staff member – or better yet, your CEO – to jot down a few handwritten words at the closing of lower-tiered gift receipt letters. Significant financial partners, top tier supporters, and systematic donors need to receive handwritten thank you notes from the CEO or Development Director, expressing your organization’s appreciation for supporters’ faithfulness and generosity.
Verbal. Set aside time to telephone major donors and special friends of the ministry. Calls needn’t be long, but rather heartfelt: “I want you to know how much your support has meant to the ministry this year. Thank you so much for helping us impact lives.”
About the author
Kathy Widenhouse (www.kathywidenhouse.com) is a freelance development writer who specializes in producing materials for the faith-based, nonprofit market. She also provides strategic consultation to help nonprofits get their message out and get results. Kathy’s 90+ articles have appeared in more than 40 periodicals, and she has written 5 books.