5 Ways to Show Your Donors that You’re Grateful for Them

November ushers in the season of gratitude, but demonstrating that you’re grateful for someone — especially your donors — stays in style all year long. For many donors, receiving a note or token of your nonprofit’s appreciation is enough motivation to continue giving. Just think about how nice it feels when someone acknowledges you for a gift. 

In today’s blog post, we’re going to look at some fun ways you can brighten your donors’ day and show them that their gift matters, and it means a lot to you. 

Send a Personalized Email or Thank-You Letter

Maybe it’s not feasible to send a personalized message to every single donor, but whenever possible, let the people who are supporting your nonprofit know how important they are by personalizing a message to them. 

Remember receiving handwritten thank-you notes in the mail? It’s a nice surprise to get something in the mail that isn’t a bill these days! Take a few minutes to write something heartfelt in a beautiful thank-you card and pop it in the mailbox. Your thoughtfulness will be remembered. 

Even a short email coming directly from you (as opposed to a newsletter or mass email) can mean a lot. Acknowledging the donation amount, or items donated, or time donated, and pointing out exactly how the contribution has helped your organization, is a great way to say thank you. 

Pick up the Phone 

Of course, a one-on-one phone call with top donors is an incredible way to personally reach out and say, “you matter!” Sometimes it isn’t possible to make those personal connections with everyone, especially if you have a lot on your plate (which nonprofit leader doesn’t?) and/or you have a large donor base. In that case, train your volunteers or board members to reach out to big donors and say thank you. It’s even more impactful if that conversation doesn’t include a renewed donation request. Your team is calling to say thanks… just because. 

Consider hosting a thank-you conference call for everyday donors or volunteers. On the call, you can mention how lucky you feel to have them on your team, and share the impact that their donations of time or money have had on your mission. Help them to feel included and valued, and you’ll see their emotional investment go up! 

Shout Out Your Gratitude on Social Media

A public acknowledgement is almost always appreciated! Except in the case that a donor wishes to remain anonymous, calling out your generous donors via social media is a great way to show them that they matter, you see them, and you’re grateful for their work or contribution. It’s also a gentle way to tacitly invite the public to get involved with your organization! 

Donor spotlights are a fun way to do this. You might post a photo of the donor, or even do a short interview with them asking about their interest in your mission and their passion for making a difference. And by the way — this is also a stellar way to make sure your volunteers feel appreciated, too! 

Offer Donors Exclusive Updates 

Being a dedicated donor or volunteer at an organization should come with some perks. You can make this possible by offering exclusive updates and an inside peek into the organization! This can potentially look like behind-the-scenes content such as videos or interviews with team members. For instance, one animal rescue likes to send videos to their donors every time a wild animal is rehabbed and released into the wild. They’re very popular (and super cute) and inspire donors to continue making an impact with their regular contributions to the organization. 

Another way to offer donors a peek behind the curtain is to share impact reports. This gives them an idea of exactly how their donations are being used for good. Where did the money go that they sent to your organization? If they can see that, hey, their donation helped feed five hungry children over the holidays, chances are they’ll feel more motivated to continue giving to your organization in the future. 

Host a Special Recognition Event

Want to show people they really matter? Host a special event that’s just for donors and volunteers. Perhaps it’s a happy hour event at a local watering hole where you offer drink tickets and do a fun giveaway at the end of the night. Or, even offer special awards for specific people who went above and beyond to support your organization! It promises to be a fun night that donors and volunteers will think back on fondly. 

Donors and Volunteers are the Lifeblood of Nonprofit Sustainability

There’s no way around it: Without the people who support nonprofits, many missions would go unfulfilled. Donors are crucial! 

At Philantopia, we understand this deeply, which is why all of our travel packages are vetted and curated to ensure the best experience possible for your donors. Our white-glove approach treats every traveler to incredible customer service. 

Ready to get started? Chat with one of our Fundraising Advisors today!