With the economy in a complete mess and donors tightening the purse strings, I think that its more important than ever to say thanks. I am a habitual thanker and I really mean it every time. At restaurants, I thank the waiter for every single thing he does for me. I can’t help it – it’s the way I was brought up. So, in my world, its incredibly important to thank your donors for everthing.
Always thank donors for making monetary donations no matter how small. We try to send a hand written note for every donation we receive. Yes, we are a small organization so its a little easier for us to take the extra time, but I feel that its that important. At the very least shoot them a thank you email or even an online card.
Thank your volunteers every chance you get. They are donors of their time, which is becoming more and more valuable. Check out this post for ideas on how to say thanks.
Thank your business partners with an e-card or a personal phone call. Let them know that you really appreciate their support. This not only reinforces that you are a quality organization but may open up a dialogue for future opportunities.
Recently, the NonProfit Times ran a wonderful article representing the trends in how nonprofits are saying thanks.
