Steier Tips

Strategies for Success
Part 7: The Importance of Thanking Your Volunteers and Donors

A nonprofit organization’s most valuable asset is the loyalty of its donors and volunteers. The recognition of that loyalty is vital to your organization’s future success and ability to serve the community with your mission. Donors understand that a nonprofit does not “owe” them anything for their loyalty and support but they do appreciate it when the organization shows its heartfelt gratitude.

In thanking a donor, it is important that you share your appreciation for their gift, share how your organization is utilizing their gift, talk about some of ongoing programs and happenings at the organization and then thank the donor again. As you work to sustain your relationship with your donors and grow their level of support over time, thanking them in a prompt and unique manner is going to help set your organization apart from others.

Thank donors promptly
Thanking your donors in a timely and meaningful way is essential at every stage in the development process. By doing so:

•   Your donors feel appreciated and know that their gift is needed for the     organization’s mission.

•   Your organization conveys an impression of efficiency. A donor assumes that if     you’re efficient in processing their gift, then you’re also spending it effectively.

•   Your organization is focused on serving your donors’ needs and honoring the gifts      they have shared.

Ways to Thank Donors
It is important to always send a “thank you” note in gratitude and for tax purposes. However, there are many unique ways to show your appreciation:

•   Ask a board member to send a personal thank you. This is a nice personal touch     to say “thank you” and it is also a nice way to involve your board members.

•   Host a holiday party for your volunteers. Since your volunteers also may be some     of your significant donors, a holiday party for your volunteers serves two     functions. It shows appreciation of their time and also gives your staff an     opportunity to build relationships with some of your donors in an informal and     festive setting.

•   Send your volunteers and major donors a Christmas tree ornament representing     your organization’s mission and thanking them for their support over the past     year. For example, if your organization works with children, you could have the     children help make the ornaments.

•   Make a personal visit to a top donor. A personal visit is the best way to foster and     further your relationship with the donor. It is also a nice way to learn why the     donor gives to the organization, which can be valuable information to help you     know why others may feel motivated to give to your organization.

Thanking your donors is vital to the future of your organization because your donors and volunteers are your organization’s lifeline. A “thank you” shows your appreciation and is also one more way to communicate what is happening at your organization.

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Other Steier Tips articles:

Ask Amounts
Creative Campaigning
Getting Read
Development Doldrums
Getting to Goal
Selling the Mission
Preparing for the Feasibility Study
Volunteer Involvement
Striking Out in a Campaign
New Year's Resolution
Preparing for Campaigns
Past Donors
Strategies for Success: Job Descriptions
Strategies for Success: Leadership Recruitment
Strategies for Success: Successful Donor Evaluations
Strategies for Success: Solicitation Training
Strategies for Success: Communications
Strategies for Success: Efficient and Effective Databases
Tax Provision a Great Benefit for Donors
"Challenge" Your Campaign
Hosted Events in Capital Campaigns
Are You Ready for a Capital Campaign?
Strategies for Success: The Tortoise and the Hare
The Importance of Personally Visiting Foundations
Make Summer Special
Post Campaign Strategy
Continuous Cultivation
Staying in Front of "Seasonal" Donors
Assessing Your Organization's Year-End Giving Program
Differences Between Development Audit and Capital Campaign
Identifying the Right Leaders
Campaign Communications
Assessing Your Organization's Campaign Readiness
Recruiting and Training Volunteers
The Magic Words
Donor Evaluation - Setting the Request Amount
Consistency in your Development Efforts
Keeping Your Donors Involved
Keeping the Excitement Alive
The Ask
The Importance of Hosted Events
Back to the Future
The Internet: Taking Advantage of the New Normal
The Importance of Recognizing Your Donors
Getting Off to a Good Start: The Importance of the Feasibility Study
Volunteer Training

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