Inspired by Thanksgiving, we’ve come up with a list of suggestions for that all-important step of thanking people who contribute to your cause.
- A quick handwritten note from you and/or someone else in the organization.
- An accurate, timely receipt. (Yes, that matters!)
- Three month follow up, with information about use of the gift.
- Communication from a beneficiary (e.g., thank you letter from scholarship student).
- Acknowledgement of an event in the donor’s personal or business life.
- An output of one of the beneficiaries (graduation picture, a written product, a picture of someone using the well or milking the goat, etc.)
- A phone call later, with no ask.
- A thank you for something that the person does other than giving money. (Time and talent are important, too.)
- Invitation to an event, free of charge (art exhibit opening, talk by scientist, etc.).
- For public acknowledgements, however they want. (Including not at all, if that’s their preference.)