Donor Stewardship
As the end of the year approaches, I am starting to see the end of the year checklists for appeals. You will see a lot of media about year-end giving. As we know, for many charities, their funding comes in at the end of the year.
Before the end of the year, and all the appeals, let me suggest something different…a “Thank You.” As a nonprofit, you have much to be grateful for in your donors. Donor stewardship is a critical piece of the fundraising puzzle. You may want to send “thanksgiving cards” to your top donors or your volunteers for being a part of your success or for touching the lives of the people you serve.
You’ve probably heard it said that the best way to start a day is in gratitude for what you have. We are encouraged to write down the things that we are grateful for, even when things are tough. As you are planning for the coming weeks toward the end of the year, you may want to think about creating a “thanksgiving plan” for your donor stewardship base or a key element of it. A card, a note, a phone call — something that just says “thank you” without asking for anything else.
Try it and let us know the good that happens from it.
“Every man is guilty of all the good he didn’t do.”
Written by: Paul D’Alessandro
