The art of saying thank you

Say it with…

As the year comes to an end, many charities are preparing to say an extra big thank you to their supporters. As well as being a nice way to round up the year, saying thank you in an appropriate way can have long-lasting benefits for your work.

Everyone is different, which is why getting to know your donors and keeping in touch with them helps you build a picture of the best way to show appreciation. In an overcrowded sector, donors are constantly evaluating which charities provide good value for money and where their donations are most effective.

A good thank you process provides charities with an opportunity to help supporters see the impact of their donations and inspire them to stay committed.

Say it with… what? Here are some ideas to get you started.

Something homemade or handwritten

Everyone appreciates a personal touch. If you have some colourful photos capturing the work of your charity, why not turn these into a special thank you card? Even better, encourage your team to sign the card by hand to build a stronger personal connection with regular givers or those who have given significant gifts in the last year. At this time of year, many charities also make time to send out handwritten Christmas cards to show their appreciation to long-term supporters.

A thank you video

Digital thank you messages are gaining popularity, especially with younger audiences. Even if your charity doesn’t have hi-tech video equipment, a simple 60 second video can be filmed on your phone and gives you the opportunity to communicate an authentic heartfelt message of gratitude. The video can be emailed along with a personal message, or shared on your socials.

An Invitation

An easy way to show your gratitude is to invite donors to your planned events so that they can meet other supporters and learn more about the work first-hand.

A special event

If you have a specific group of people you want to thank, like long-term supporters who have been involved for many years, why not host a bespoke event to say thank you face to face? Guests will have the opportunity to chat directly with your staff team, and you might decide to share some exclusive “behind the scenes” content or news updates to show how much you value them. Partnering with local businesses is a great way to keep the costs down on venue hire or food.

Don’t forget your volunteers and partners

It’s not just about money - donations of time, venue use, or other gifts-in-kind can be hugely important to your charity. So it’s really important to recognise and take time to say thank you for the gifts of time your volunteers and partners have given - time can be the hardest thing to give! Thank them right away and regularly so they feel appreciated - you can’t afford to lose them.

Impact

However you choose to do your thanking, don’t forget to focus on the impact of the supporter’s donation - the actual difference it has made. Try to include a case study, photos and quotes.

Keep it up

Everyone knows that it’s easier to look after your current donors than to recruit new supporters. Establishing a schedule of frequent communications with regular givers and long-standing volunteers throughout the year gives you the perfect platform to show your gratitude, connect supporters to the impact of their donation and bring them with you on your charity’s journey.

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If you’d like more help with your supporter comms, please get in touch.