Year-end giving amounts to an estimated 40-70 percent of many nonprofits’ annual budgets. The most charitable season of the year is a prime opportunity to secure new supporters and to lift the giving levels of current donors. In this blog series, we will review the steps to devising a strong campaign—including how to use data analytics to target your messaging, the importance of a compelling story, how to distribute your story through multiple channels, and when to follow up with donors.
THANK YOUR DONORS
Give your donors something more memorable than a tax receipt in the auto-responder email. That first response to their donation is a great opportunity to creatively express your gratitude. Be sure the messaging and design are consistent with your campaign.
Remember to thank your donors throughout the year, not just at year-end. Set aside time each month to thank donors. Whether you use a personal phone call, a handwritten note, or a letter—let your donors know how important they are to your work and how grateful you are for their partnership.
Action items:
- Most donors expect the automatic email after a donation, so send another follow-up email to thank them a few days later.
- Refrain from making a second ask in your initial thank-you communications.
- Include a video or slideshow in your thank-you emails to show donors the impact of their gifts.
It’s not too late to start building your year-end campaign with Pursuant, but you must respond now. Let us help you raise more by sending the right messages to the right audiences at the right time.