Are you taking care of your donors? Take this quiz.
- Thu, May 17 2012
- Filed under: Fundraising essentials
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 boxes, 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!
Comments
Such a great reminder, Katya! It’s also important to ensure that you do this for all donors, regardless of what channel they give. Having a cohesive stewardship plan (and knowing what it is) is key.
This is a great checklist for dolor cultivation , avoid follwing this steps and you will watch attrition rates boost sky high!
Great topic! Happy to share my model used at www.artingiving.com
What great ideas for us all to review! I especially appreciate the on-going communication points- donors want to be included in updates at different times throughout the year- not only does this communication provide them with a warm feeling that the donation is appreciated and going to good use, but you keep your brand in the forefront of their thoughts (and they are more apt to continue giving next year).