Everyone likes to know they are appreciated. Your supporters are no different. Are you thanking them regularly? Are your sentiments of gratitude special and memorable?
We want to encourage you to thank your donors and volunteers on a regular basis. These gestures should go beyond the regular processes you have in place, such as a form thank you email or letter or a gift receipt. Get creative!
Here are a few ideas for fun and unexpected ways to thank your donors:
- Handwritten thank you cards (enlist volunteers to help you write them!)
- Feature donor stories or interviews in newsletters and social media (with their permission). Don’t just choose those who give the most; sometimes even the smallest stories of faithful sacrifice are meaningful.
- Send a personal letter or email from your executive director.
- Phone calls from people impacted by your program
- Postcards from your ministry
- Send a free gift or item hand made by program participants
- Baked goods delivered to their door (best for local ministries and with a handful of donors selected)
- Honor loyal donors at events
- Throw a party to thank your donors and highlight the work they have helped support
- Send an anniversary card (say thanks when donors have been giving for one year and each year thereafter)
- Send a birthday card and a small gift (such as a bookmark or magnet)
Communicating with supporters in this manner is just one more way to nurture relationships important to your organization. Small, personal, unexpected gestures do go a long way in staying connected with your donors.
What other ideas do you have for thanking your donors? What fun or creative programs have meant a lot to supporters in your organization?
