FundRaiser Blog

The FundRaiser Software Blog is an excellent resource for nonprofit organizations looking to learn more about fundraising, donor management, membership management, and much more.
Print

Being Quick and Genuine with Your Thanks

Non-Profit Fundraising Tips
5386 Hits

Thanking donors seems like something so basic that we shouldn’t even have to talk about it. But more mistakes, with more devastating results for donor loyalty, are made in the thanking of donors than anyplace else. So, let’s go over six rules for saying “thank you” that are absolutely essential.

  1. Thank a donor immediately. Send out a thank-you note for a gift no later than the day after the gift is received. Nothing is more important than a prompt thank-you.
  2. Be humble. Don’t act as if or communicate the thought that you were expecting the gift as something that was the donor’s responsibility to do.
  3. Praise the donor’s generosity. Do not stint. Let the donor know how important the gift is.
  4. Praise your donor’s leadership. Anyone who gives is a leader and should be treated as such, and call attention to the fact that their gift will influence others to give.
  5. Thank donors for past support. When you receive today’s gift remind the donor how appreciative you are of past support, but do not talk about future support. Do not say thanks out of one side of your mouth and hint at future requests out of the other.
  6. And finally, never let a hint of disappointment show. Never, ever show a lack of gratitude for a gift, whatever its size.

There are two things that must be remembered about saying thanks. Donors expect it, and they deserve it.

To learn how FundRaiser can help you send out thank you letters quickly

Sign up for an online Guided Tour of FundRaiser

Tweet
Tags:
nonprofit fundraising
A Sneak Peek at a New Feature
Automate to Increase Dollars Per Hour of Effort

About the author

Tony Poderis

Tony Poderis

Subscribe to updates from author Unsubscribe to updates from author View author's profile More posts from author
Tony is the founder of Raise-Funds.com. For 20 years Tony was director of development for The Cleveland Orchestra. As such he was responsible for Cleveland’s largest annual institutional fund-raising campaign. Since 1993, Tony has been a fund-raising consultants. Tony’s experiences have won him a wide audience. He is the author of the widely used and praised book It’s a Great Day to Fund Raise, a step-by-step guide to help volunteers and professionals be as successful as possible as they carry out their fund-raising responsibilities.
Author's recent posts

Related Posts

Wait a minute, while we are rendering the calendar
case study publicity materials mailing planning donor retention rate in honor of donations updates lapsed donor data conversion campaign transparency large donations email holiday spreadsheets prospects motivation code annual campaign giving history social media monthly giving legacy giving Snow Birds membership programs accounting software custom page donor attrition rate vacation upgrade mission driven recurring gifts reports Tickles password protection Groupings donor attrition online donations GivingTuesday government grants Company culture fundraising endowment campaign solicitors donor relations correspondance Reporting to IRS Codes raffle tech tip product news operating systems donation history passwords donor source announcements Facebook campaign Resiliency customer service appeal letters PayPal gift acceptance policy Thanksgiving segmenting donors charity golf tournaments In-Kind gifts Task List banquet Network for Good welcome packet donor engagement security entering auction gifts Thank You increasing giving amounts donor prospects moves management new features LYBUNTS how-to videos merge fields grassroots campaign New Year role of nonprofits relationship tracking grants donor alumni technical support membersip benefits development director small donations community broadcasting donor profile donor preferences building donor relationships Reminders word processor Crowdfunding Campaign the Ask advanced tab FundRaiser Spark donor advised funds GoFundMe project End of Year Letters phoning donors gift notes field Congratulations foundations mode code planned giving pledges donor retention how to handle auction gifts user spotlights major donors volunteers happiness donor recognition new leadership tax summary letters holiday letters operational costs ticket sales customer portal arts Constant Contact Importing Data brick campaign tribute gifts Volunteer module volunteering office look and feel support donor loyalty thank you letters letter templates backing up data personalizing letters FundRaiser Hosted correspondence campaign management annual maintenance plan SYBUNTS community supported gardens data entry disaster relief repeat donors spare fields importing csv new version adding personal notes to letters ticketsales Donor Portal online donations capital campaign nonprofit fundraising texting donors overview salutation donor targeting FundRaiser Basic event management training tip donor contact information animal rescue motivation merge notes understanding giving trends user interface memorial giving change of address updating features major gift prospects gift entry new nonprofit letter appeal community arts nonprofits data analysis training premiums holiday giving anonymous donors Excel corporate sponsors pictures general add ons #GivingTuesday donor slip Cloud on site training flash sales Alternative Addresses ROI targeted mailings communications NCOA processing National Change of Address upgrading donors follow up membership benefits auction new donors direct mail Facebook board members budget fundraising letters Personalizing giving levels

Connect With Us

  800-880-3454 ext 3
  Email Us
  Request More Information
  Monday-Friday
      8:30AM-5:30PM CST

Customer Portal Login Form

   

The customer portal is unavailable. If you need support please reach out to support@fundraisersoftware.com Thank you.

 
  User Name:
  Password:

If you are not sure about your Customer User Name, please call 800-543-4131 and we will be able to help you.

Or you have lost your password, Request Password