Comments on: The One Secret to Increasing Your Individual Giving Exponentially! http://www.pamelasgrantwritingblog.com/72/the-two-most-important-words-thank-you/ Nonprofit Fundraising and Grantwriting for the One-Person Shop Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:17:05 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Pamela Grow http://www.pamelasgrantwritingblog.com/72/the-two-most-important-words-thank-you/comment-page-1/#comment-927 Pamela Grow Sun, 14 Nov 2010 18:20:39 +0000 http://www.pamelasgrantwritingblog.com/?p=72#comment-927 What a terrific post Conor! And I love the idea of a Director of Appreciation. It's interesting that such an important function is relegated to an often-times underpaid clerical staffer. Thanks for writing. What a terrific post Conor! And I love the idea of a Director of Appreciation. It’s interesting that such an important function is relegated to an often-times underpaid clerical staffer. Thanks for writing.

]]> By: Mary Cahalane http://www.pamelasgrantwritingblog.com/72/the-two-most-important-words-thank-you/comment-page-1/#comment-926 Mary Cahalane Sun, 14 Nov 2010 18:03:04 +0000 http://www.pamelasgrantwritingblog.com/?p=72#comment-926 Pamela, I share your shock at the idea of any donor going unthanked. On top of being terribly rude, that's just nuts! Charles, how about a more personalized email than the auto email you get? I think the medium is probably less important than the message. And the message that "you" (individually, distinctly) matter to us can be hugely gratifying to a supporter! Pamela, I share your shock at the idea of any donor going unthanked. On top of being terribly rude, that’s just nuts!

Charles, how about a more personalized email than the auto email you get? I think the medium is probably less important than the message. And the message that “you” (individually, distinctly) matter to us can be hugely gratifying to a supporter!

]]> By: Conor Byrne http://www.pamelasgrantwritingblog.com/72/the-two-most-important-words-thank-you/comment-page-1/#comment-466 Conor Byrne Fri, 02 Jul 2010 19:43:35 +0000 http://www.pamelasgrantwritingblog.com/?p=72#comment-466 Great post Pamela. I wrote a post about two years ago and suggested that charities should appoint a Director of Appreciation, their job is to make sure every donor feels great about their donation. I think it should be as personal as possible (i love the idea of handwritten) but hearing from Charles is interesting, I think the method of communication can vary. (link to my post about Director of Appreciation http://z6.co.uk/9ng7g7 ) Great post Pamela. I wrote a post about two years ago and suggested that charities should appoint a Director of Appreciation, their job is to make sure every donor feels great about their donation. I think it should be as personal as possible (i love the idea of handwritten) but hearing from Charles is interesting, I think the method of communication can vary. (link to my post about Director of Appreciation http://z6.co.uk/9ng7g7 )

]]> By: Pamela Grow http://www.pamelasgrantwritingblog.com/72/the-two-most-important-words-thank-you/comment-page-1/#comment-465 Pamela Grow Fri, 02 Jul 2010 16:48:05 +0000 http://www.pamelasgrantwritingblog.com/?p=72#comment-465 That's an interesting question Charles and I'd love to know more about your friend's nonprofit. Hopefully good manners will never go out of style. Thank you for posting. That’s an interesting question Charles and I’d love to know more about your friend’s nonprofit. Hopefully good manners will never go out of style. Thank you for posting.

]]> By: Charles http://www.pamelasgrantwritingblog.com/72/the-two-most-important-words-thank-you/comment-page-1/#comment-464 Charles Fri, 02 Jul 2010 16:43:17 +0000 http://www.pamelasgrantwritingblog.com/?p=72#comment-464 Hi Pamela, Do you think this trend (people not giving as much b/c of not feeling appreciated enough) will continue? I am in my 20s and I think that more of my peers feel closer to what I do than the more traditional (baby boomer / older) donor. I have some friends who started a nonprofit and have managed to grow quite a wide donor base with very minimal investment. Their marketing is almost 100% online and through social media. They don't mail receipts (except at year end) but just have the automated email receipt/thank you. Don't get me wrong - I do think that thanking is important. But I think there are other ways to do it besides a note in the mail (that are also less expensive). And my hunch is that things will move more toward this way as my generation grow older and become donors. Hi Pamela,
Do you think this trend (people not giving as much b/c of not feeling appreciated enough) will continue? I am in my 20s and I think that more of my peers feel closer to what I do than the more traditional (baby boomer / older) donor.

I have some friends who started a nonprofit and have managed to grow quite a wide donor base with very minimal investment. Their marketing is almost 100% online and through social media. They don’t mail receipts (except at year end) but just have the automated email receipt/thank you.

Don’t get me wrong – I do think that thanking is important. But I think there are other ways to do it besides a note in the mail (that are also less expensive). And my hunch is that things will move more toward this way as my generation grow older and become donors.

]]> By: Pamela Grow http://www.pamelasgrantwritingblog.com/72/the-two-most-important-words-thank-you/comment-page-1/#comment-462 Pamela Grow Thu, 01 Jul 2010 22:10:37 +0000 http://www.pamelasgrantwritingblog.com/?p=72#comment-462 I believe you're in the minority on this one. Penelope Burk’s Cygnus Applied Research notes that up to five out of every ten donors stop giving – or give less – because they feel, in part, that their giving isn’t appreciated. Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others. Marcus Tullius Cicero Considering the current state of donor attrition (and, in the business world, customer satisfaction), we would all do well to remember that. If the organization's goal is long-term financial sustainability, the primary focus should be on the donor. I believe you’re in the minority on this one. Penelope Burk’s Cygnus Applied Research notes that up to five out of every ten donors stop giving – or give less – because they feel, in part, that their giving isn’t appreciated.

Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.
Marcus Tullius Cicero

Considering the current state of donor attrition (and, in the business world, customer satisfaction), we would all do well to remember that. If the organization’s goal is long-term financial sustainability, the primary focus should be on the donor.

]]> By: Charles http://www.pamelasgrantwritingblog.com/72/the-two-most-important-words-thank-you/comment-page-1/#comment-461 Charles Thu, 01 Jul 2010 21:41:57 +0000 http://www.pamelasgrantwritingblog.com/?p=72#comment-461 What about an automated email receipt/thank you? That is good enough for me, and actually as a donor I am disappointed when I receive paper in the mail. I consider it a waste of paper, money, and time. I would much rather the nonprofit use as much as possible to their actual cause rather than nurturing me as a donor. I do not need to be nurtured. What about an automated email receipt/thank you? That is good enough for me, and actually as a donor I am disappointed when I receive paper in the mail. I consider it a waste of paper, money, and time. I would much rather the nonprofit use as much as possible to their actual cause rather than nurturing me as a donor. I do not need to be nurtured.

]]> By: Pamela Grow http://www.pamelasgrantwritingblog.com/72/the-two-most-important-words-thank-you/comment-page-1/#comment-253 Pamela Grow Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:44:09 +0000 http://www.pamelasgrantwritingblog.com/?p=72#comment-253 Great question Steve! I always actually put the language in a tiny font at the bottom of the letter (recommended by P. Burk). I am pretty sure that that is what Lisa Sargent recommended as well (it's a bit of a "joy sucker" so we put it as an afterthought!) Great question Steve! I always actually put the language in a tiny font at the bottom of the letter (recommended by P. Burk). I am pretty sure that that is what Lisa Sargent recommended as well (it’s a bit of a “joy sucker” so we put it as an afterthought!)

]]> By: Steve Smith http://www.pamelasgrantwritingblog.com/72/the-two-most-important-words-thank-you/comment-page-1/#comment-252 Steve Smith Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:40:28 +0000 http://www.pamelasgrantwritingblog.com/?p=72#comment-252 Thanks for bringing this post back. The concept of thanking donors is timeless. Good to remind your audience (us!) of its importance. A question. Do you recommend nonprofits you work with send receipt separate from thank-you? I've advised doing both in same envelope, particularly in direct respose acknowledgement. Tell me if my head's on straight about this. Thanks for bringing this post back. The concept of thanking donors is timeless. Good to remind your audience (us!) of its importance. A question. Do you recommend nonprofits you work with send receipt separate from thank-you? I’ve advised doing both in same envelope, particularly in direct respose acknowledgement. Tell me if my head’s on straight about this.

]]> By: Vikki Baptiste http://www.pamelasgrantwritingblog.com/72/the-two-most-important-words-thank-you/comment-page-1/#comment-251 Vikki Baptiste Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:36:41 +0000 http://www.pamelasgrantwritingblog.com/?p=72#comment-251 I thank donors who give as little as $1 - and it's always a handwritten thank you, not some form letter which is the same as everyone else gets! From our supporters, that $1 donation may have meant choosing between donating and buying milk, and we appreciate every supporter. I find it hard to believe that any organization would choose not to thank donors they consider "insignificant". That's just setting themselves up for no repeat donations from that person, as well as just bad PR. I thank donors who give as little as $1 – and it’s always a handwritten thank you, not some form letter which is the same as everyone else gets!

From our supporters, that $1 donation may have meant choosing between donating and buying milk, and we appreciate every supporter.

I find it hard to believe that any organization would choose not to thank donors they consider “insignificant”. That’s just setting themselves up for no repeat donations from that person, as well as just bad PR.

]]> By: Sandy Rees http://www.pamelasgrantwritingblog.com/72/the-two-most-important-words-thank-you/comment-page-1/#comment-64 Sandy Rees Sat, 15 Aug 2009 13:30:14 +0000 http://www.pamelasgrantwritingblog.com/?p=72#comment-64 I believe that you ought to thank EVERY donor for EVERY gift, no matter the size. Acknowledging a gift is an important part of solicitation. It lets the donor know you received and appreciated their donation. It builds trust, nurtures relationship, and sets up the next gift. Organizations who choose not to send Thank You letters are just being lazy. Sandy Rees Fundraising Coach I believe that you ought to thank EVERY donor for EVERY gift, no matter the size. Acknowledging a gift is an important part of solicitation. It lets the donor know you received and appreciated their donation. It builds trust, nurtures relationship, and sets up the next gift. Organizations who choose not to send Thank You letters are just being lazy.

Sandy Rees
Fundraising Coach

]]> By: Twitted by PamelaGrow http://www.pamelasgrantwritingblog.com/72/the-two-most-important-words-thank-you/comment-page-1/#comment-37 Twitted by PamelaGrow Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:34:46 +0000 http://www.pamelasgrantwritingblog.com/?p=72#comment-37 [...] This post was Twitted by PamelaGrow [...] [...] This post was Twitted by PamelaGrow [...]

]]> By: Allison Farquhar http://www.pamelasgrantwritingblog.com/72/the-two-most-important-words-thank-you/comment-page-1/#comment-31 Allison Farquhar Thu, 28 May 2009 16:14:48 +0000 http://www.pamelasgrantwritingblog.com/?p=72#comment-31 Our board has realized this importance and how a little "Thank You" can go a long way. Right now, we're coming up with a full-fledged plan on thanking our donors multiple times throughout the year along with special events. Our board has realized this importance and how a little “Thank You” can go a long way. Right now, we’re coming up with a full-fledged plan on thanking our donors multiple times throughout the year along with special events.

]]> By: Julie M http://www.pamelasgrantwritingblog.com/72/the-two-most-important-words-thank-you/comment-page-1/#comment-21 Julie M Sun, 12 Apr 2009 20:26:06 +0000 http://www.pamelasgrantwritingblog.com/?p=72#comment-21 @andi That's great! I think the words "thank you can go a long, long way! So, thank you for pointing this out! :) @andi That’s great!

I think the words “thank you can go a long, long way! So, thank you for pointing this out! :)

]]> By: Stacey Miller http://www.pamelasgrantwritingblog.com/72/the-two-most-important-words-thank-you/comment-page-1/#comment-20 Stacey Miller Sat, 11 Apr 2009 20:06:27 +0000 http://www.pamelasgrantwritingblog.com/?p=72#comment-20 Great article! As a board member of a nonprofit we always thank our donors.....especially in this economy! Great article! As a board member of a nonprofit we always thank our donors…..especially in this economy!

]]> By: Andi http://www.pamelasgrantwritingblog.com/72/the-two-most-important-words-thank-you/comment-page-1/#comment-18 Andi Sat, 11 Apr 2009 18:03:15 +0000 http://www.pamelasgrantwritingblog.com/?p=72#comment-18 Recently, my family made a $25 donation to a local children's theatre, and we received a handwritten thank-you card from a board member! We didn't expect any kind of thank-you for a small donation, but we were thrilled to have gotten it. We talked about the theatre for days - so it's great PR tactic to write a thank-you as well! Recently, my family made a $25 donation to a local children’s theatre, and we received a handwritten thank-you card from a board member! We didn’t expect any kind of thank-you for a small donation, but we were thrilled to have gotten it. We talked about the theatre for days – so it’s great PR tactic to write a thank-you as well!

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