by Katya Anderson, Katya’s Non-Profit Marketing Blog
Are you taking care of your donors? What kind of experience do they have after they give?
Here’s a quick checklist to answer that question. If you can’t check all the items, work on doing better. The single most powerful thing you can do as a fundraiser is to take great care of the donors you have.
Timeliness:
* All donors thanked promptly
* All donors thanked throughout the year
Personalization and Accuracy:
* Thank-yous are directed at the donor – not “Dear Friend”
* The gift amount is included and correct
* Thank-yous reference the appeal or campaign that prompted the gift
* Thank-yous are signed by a real person or include a real person’s name
* I properly acknowledge gift designations and dedications
Gratitude:
* I express heartfelt thanks for the gift twice in each note
* I also express gratitude for past support (when relevant)
* I give credit to the donor for what will be achieved
* The thank-you is a thank-you, not an appeal! (It doesn’t ask for money again)
Useful Resources:
* Thank-yous include full contact information of my organization
* Thank-yous include appropriate tax language
* I make clear how the gift will be used
Ongoing Communication:
* I tell a good story or use a vivid example in every piece of outreach
* I report to donors on their impact at least twice a year
* I recognize donors after thanking them
* I include the voices of donors in my outreach
* I ask my donors for feedback
The more you care about your donors, the more they will care about your cause!