Most of us have been saying those magic words since we could talk: “Thank you!” Although short, these two simple words show our appreciation for commendation, a gift, or even a nice meal.
When it comes to fundraisers, thanking your donors isn’t just to show good manners. Properly thanking them could be the start of a long-standing relationship between the donors and your organization.
Thanking Your Donors – Why Does it Matter?
Although most people understand the importance of showing gratitude, thanking your donors after a fundraiser is crucial. A heartfelt thank you lets the donor know that you’ve received their gift and that you truly appreciate their generosity. A non-profit that takes pride and interest in its thank-you cards shows its donors that they matter and genuinely make a difference with their donations.
As a result, you will have donors that come back every year, and they may even motivate others to donate to your non-profit. For a non-profit, properly thanking your donors is one of the many keys to a successful organization. If you’re unsure how to thank your donors after a fundraiser, AFYC has put together a guide to help you out.
What to Include When Thanking Your Donors
It’s not enough to send a stale and generic thank-you card to the masses. Individualized thank you cards with a personal touch can go a long way to showing your donors that they matter. Here are two things that you can include in your thank you cards to make your donors feel appreciated and know that they matter.
Mention Their Impact
Saying thank you to your donor acknowledges and validates the impact of their donation. One way to show them where their money has gone is to mention its effects on your organization. People love to feel like they’re a part of something and have made a difference in the world.
When writing a thank you card, share how their money has helped you fulfill an aspect of your organization’s mission statement. Let them know who\’s lives their money has touched, and you can even consider attaching a picture if possible. This act will touch their hearts and stir them to continue donating in the future.
Integrate Storytelling
Who doesn’t love stories? Including a real-life anecdote in your thank-you cards gives them a more personal touch. The donors can put a face and name to where their money has gone, and it humanizes your organization.
If you can’t include the entire story on the card, begin with a part of the anecdote and include a link to your website that allows them to read the whole story. Don’t underestimate the power of personal interaction.
Remember: Keep in mind that time is of the essence when sending thank-you cards. For donors that contribute online, they should get an immediate email thanking them for their donation. If possible, send out letters less than 48 hours after you receive their donations. The donation will still be fresh in their mind, and they’ll feel like a valued member of the organization when thanked in such a timely manner.
How to Thank Your Donors
Thanking your donors can be done in a few different ways. Here are some options you have for thanking your donors when fundraising:
- Website: With dozens of people visiting your website every day, it’s the perfect place to thank your donors. To make the most of this opportunity, consider dedicating an area of your website to showcase your donors. You can post personalized messages that acknowledge your supporters and show your appreciation for their donations on this page. This personal touch can work in your favor to boost future fundraisers.
- Welcome Packages: A welcome package is a fun way to introduce new donors to your organization while thanking them for their donations. If you choose to go this route, try to send the welcome package soon after receiving their first donation to acknowledge their gift. While all welcome packages are different, they usually include a welcome letter with the donor’s name, a story about the impact of your non-profit, and small gifts like pens or stickers. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box with your welcome package. You want it to represent your organization, so be creative!
- Send Thank You Notes: Simple thank you notes are the tried and true way to thank donors and recognize their donations. To take thank you notes to the next level, why not make handwritten notes? Although it may take longer to get them out, the personalized feel of a handwritten note will impress your donors. Even after their initial donation, handwritten notes can be sent on their first donation anniversary, around Giving Tuesday or the holidays. In the thank-you note, try to include a sentence or two about why their gift mattered. To make it even more special, board members can personally sign the thank you cards.
- Social Media: Social media is a powerful way to use your platform to thank your donors publicly. Whether you decide to use Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, all of these social media platforms have far-reaching effects. Thanking your donors on social media is like giving them a public shout-out. It also opens you up to other people outside of your donor network. Once these people see who’s donated to your cause, these posts may move them to donate as well.
Support Non-Profits With AFYC
Art For You Cause is proud to donate to millions of nonprofits. We aim to change the world of art and giving by working to end the “starving artist” stereotype. 10% of every purchase in our online marketplace goes towards supporting a non-profit of your choice.
This empowers non-profits to be part of a community while raising funds, receive donations, and build awareness for their cause. To find out more about how you can get involved, visit our non-profit sign-up page and start connecting with AFYC. We look forward to helping you reach your goals and supporting your cause.
