Dear Kim:You are often quoted as saying things like, “Thank before you bank,” and “The thank you note is the most important element in a donor relationship” and other pro-thank you note statements. But how do you make a thank you note interesting? And do donors really read them? And what if I think the gift the donor gave isn’t really what they could afford so I am not that thankful? ~Dubious Dear Dubious:.
Your letter poses several questions, and I will quickly dispatch the last one first. You need to change up your attitude toward the gifts that are given to your organization. Any gift is more than nothing, and donors are making all kinds of choices. You really don’t know what people can afford and you need to thankful they thought of you.