Along with their first words like “Mama” or “Dada”, young children are also taught two very important words: “Thank You”. Parents relentlessly remind their children to say these words not only to teach politeness but also because appreciation goes a long way. Saying “Thank You” is more than just a courteous exchange, it’s a validation. It tells the recipient “I see you, I value you, and I appreciate you.”
That’s why here at Beacon Design, we encourage our nonprofit partners to express gratitude to their donors as much as possible. Building strong relationships with supporters is vital to a nonprofit’s success, which is why donor appreciation should be made a priority. We wanted to share five fun ways nonprofits can show their donors that they really care about them.
Social Media Shoutouts
In this online-focused world we live in, social media platforms present an opportunity for organizations to broadcast a message that can reach a large audience. Creating a public appreciation video can make someone feel special, but it can also encourage others to donate so that they can have an appreciation video made in their honor. It’s important to note that 32% of donors are most inspired to give via social media1. An added benefit is that these videos are easily shareable—donors may repost them, introducing your organization to new potential supporters.
When creating this appreciation video, get creative with it! There’s a number of different ways to take it so here are some specific ideas:
- Highlight an Individual Donor: Focus your attention on a single donor and their contribution. It can be a simple “Thank You for Donating” or you can go in-depth about the donor, their commitment to the cause, and what makes them special. Remember, if you do it for one donor, you should do it for all donors so make sure you have enough bandwidth to create these videos. They can be done at random or for only certain qualifications (ex. Monthly donors, certain amounts).
- Highlight Top Donors: Showcase donors with the largest contributions. With their permission, include the dollar amount of their contribution to quantify their dedication and intrigue potential donors.
- Highlight First-Time Donors: Shoutout people who donated for the first time. Your video can improve donor morale and help retain those one-timers so they become monthly contributors.
Exclusive Donor Appreciation Events
Most people feel a sense of glee when they’re invited somewhere. Whether it be a party, a dinner, or just a night to hang out, an invitation can make someone feel special. If nonprofits are looking to cherish their donors and make them feel wanted, hosting a private event can be a great way.
However, this wouldn’t be your average fundraiser; the goal is to create a sense of exclusivity. Creating exclusivity can help to generate excitement around your organization and give those who couldn’t attend FOMO so that they’re begging to come to the next function. A donor-only gala, for example, could feature a short presentation on the organization’s recent successes made possible by donors. Black tie events are a great way for nonprofits to enhance their prestige and elevate their brand value.
Donor appreciation events don’t always have to be in person. A cost-effective alternative could be hosting a virtual event that’s exclusively for donors. These could range from simple donor celebrations to interactive webinars with organizational leadership, allowing contributors to share feedback. If you decide to go with the virtual option, we suggest that you provide valuable insights or significant announcements to make the experience worthwhile for participants.
Handwritten Notes with Impact Stories
A commonly overlooked quality of nonprofits is their influence. It’s easy to assume that nonprofits are “good” because they’re fighting for a just cause, but making a positive impact should be the standard. Nonprofits should be continuously messaging to their audience that they are making a real change. While donors may already believe in your cause, reinforcing their impact strengthens their connection to your mission.
Another great way to show appreciation to your donors is to have your organization’s beneficiaries write them a personal message. It can be a personalized handwritten thank you card that shares a short story or a quick update on how their contribution made a difference (this can be made into video content as well). This approach is not only to validate your donor’s monetary support, but also help donors feel like they’re part of the mission. They will be warmed knowing that their donation made a positive change in someone’s life. When donors see the results of their giving, they’re more likely to understand the impact that they’ve made and continue to support your organization.
Public Recognition for Donors
As mentioned earlier, appreciation goes a long way but if it’s done publicly, it can make someone feel deeply honored and valued. Organizations that use public recognition will strengthen their loyalty, enhance transparency, and foster a sense of community. It will also inspire others to give, as people are often motivated by seeing their peers contribute. When donors feel wholesome and valued, they’ll reciprocate their feelings back into your nonprofit in the form of more contributions or vocal support. The objective with public recognition is to turn donors into passionate advocates that will spread the word of your cause. Here are some ways to give your donors the attention they deserve (with their consent, of course):
- Donor Spotlights: Feature your donors within all your media communications. Create a donor appreciation section in your newsletter, website, and social media pages. Try to highlight what makes each donor unique and why their contribution is essential.
- Donor Wall: Praise your patrons with a donor wall that honors their support. This wall can be physical, with framed photos and plaques, or it can be digital, as a separate page on your website. It pays homage to your donors in an elegant way and can serve as a lifetime achievement award for some. A “Donor Hall of Fame” or a “Donor of the Month” are great alternatives for a donor wall.
- Donor Appreciation Day: Host a daylong event to celebrate your donors’ support. Set up a variety of interactive booths and activities that explain your nonprofit’s mission. Activities can include informative displays with charts and graphs, gift bags, guest speakers/testimonials, refreshments and drinks, and more. Make sure to have a recognition ceremony to publicly celebrate donors with awards or certificates.
Customized Gifts
Nothing says “Thank you for everything” more than a beautiful, thoughtful gift. The psychology behind gift-giving is intricate because it taps into various emotional and social factors. It helps form an inseparable bond between the two parties and can serve as an emotional reward. Reciprocity also plays a role as people feel an obligation to give back in return when they receive something.
For these reasons, customized gifts are an insightful way for nonprofits who want to commemorate their donors and their cause. That’s why we believe that starting an annual keepsake program is the best option. A custom keepsake program allows nonprofits to show appreciation without overspending on gifts. Instead of giving donors another trinket to collect, a thoughtfully designed keepsake reinforces their value and strengthens their connection to your cause.
Here at Beacon Design, we are the industry leader in creating stunning custom keepsakes here in America. We understand that every cause is unique, and our personalized keepsakes are the perfect tool to elevate your fundraising efforts while creating meaningful connections with your supporters. Whether you’re celebrating an anniversary, honoring a special event, or offering a unique token of appreciation to your donors, we ensure that your message is conveyed in a way that resonates deeply with those who support your cause.
Conclusion
We understand that these five methods aren’t the only ways to thank your donors, but we hope these ideas can motivate your organization to proactively reach out to donors and make them feel like it’s their nonprofit too. When you empower your supporters, you’ll strengthen your organization and build a larger, more passionate community ready to fight for your cause.
Sources:
- https://doublethedonation.com/nonprofit-fundraising statistics/#:~:text=63%%20of%20donors%20prefer%20to%20give%20online,in%20peer%2Dto%2Dpeer%20fundraising%20efforts%20benefiting%20nonprofit%20organizations.
