Why is it so important to thank your donors? Because you want them back.
The first time a person makes a gift to your nonprofit, it’s a test. Deliberately or unconsciously, they are asking, “Will you notice that I gave? Will it make a difference? Did I do the right thing?”
Thank them early and often, and you will move in the direction acquiring a loyal donor for life. Ignore them, or send them a perfunctory acknowledgment that looks like a receipt, and the next time you ask they may not even remember you.
Top Five Ways to Thank Donors
Here are the most popular posts on this blog in 2020 about thanking donors. How many of them can you use right now and in 2021?
- TY Thursday: I Wrote This Poem Just for You: Here’s one way to say thank you that you might not have thought of. Send them a poem!
- TY Thursday: The Ideal Thank-You Letter: So much more than “Your gift is tax deductible.” The thank-you letter is the start of a beautiful friendship.
- TY Thursday: Your Board Will Thank You for Doing This: Every thank-you matters, but an expression of gratitude from a Board member to a donor matters more.
- TY Thursday: A Toast to You, Generous Donor! (Because the essence of a toast is not the liquid you drink. It’s the words you say.)
- TY Thursday: Thank You, Donor–You’re Welcome!: A welcome kit (also called a packet or package) tells the donor, “You matter to us. You’re not just a cash cow. We’re in this together for the long haul.”
Give these tips a try, then write us back and let us know how they worked! (Thank you in advance for writing back.)