Its true that giving is its own reward, but a little gratitude doesn't hurt! When you're running a charitable organization, you want your donors to know how much you appreciate their contribution to your cause. The best way to do that is with the perfect thank you letter.
Share your passion
A thank you letter is not the place to play coy. When you're writing on behalf of an organization to a large number of people, it's easy to slip into a very distant and formal voice. That might be the right way to go in your day-to-day operations, but a thank you note should be a lot more exciting!
Thank your donors profusely and frequently. Your donors are amazing, so make sure they iknow t! Tell them they're your hero! Tell them they're rock stars! Don't hedge on your gratitude – everyone appreciates a little flattery now and then.
Let them know how they helped
A good thank you letter should give donors some insight on what their contribution has helped your organization accomplish. It's time to celebrate your wins!
A polite "thank you” is nice. But a letter that includes real examples about what your organization has recently done, stats on how much you've raised, what you've been able to do, and what you intend to do next is exciting!
Think of it like getting someone a gift. It's all well and good if they say they liked it, but isn't it thrilling when you see them out and about wearing the outfit you got them? One is words, the other is proof. In the same way, your donors want to know they are having an impact and doing the right thing, so be sure to include some pride inspiring accomplishments in your thank you notes!
Focus on what's important, not the paperwork
Thank you letters are frequently accompanied with receipts, tax information, and other financial notes. That's fine, that info is important. But save it for the end of the letter.
You want your thank you notes to put the donor in the spotlight. You want them to read it and feel like they've made a real difference, a thrill they'll be eager to capture again. The last thing you want to do is dump a bunch of cold water on that feeling by descending into tax talk and legalese. Save that info for another page or at least at the very bottom of the letter.
Make it personal
Nothing makes a compliment feel more hollow than one addressed "to whom it may concern.” A thank you has to be personal for it to matter.
Using the donor's correct name is an absolute must. While it might sound like a lot of work to personalize each and every letter, it is a courtesy that you have to perform to make your thank you letters sincere. Thankfully, smart automation has made this process easier than ever. With the automation tools featured in Donor Engine for example, you can switch effortlessly between proper titles ("Dear Mrs. Smith..”), first names ("June, we can't tell you how much we appreciate your gift...”) and even reference couples ("Thank you June and Mark, you've helped us make a real difference!”). The text of your letter can restate the donor's gift and which cause they contributed to, so you can be specific with your appreciation.
It's the little details that count. When you take the time to thank your donors like you mean it you'll be doing more than showing gratitude - you'll be building bonds. Donors who feel appreciated are donors who will give again and again.
