Mastering the art of the “Thank You” can help ensure long-term sustainability. On Wednesday, May 19, 2021, Vicki Burkhart, the Executive Director of Kids’ Chance of America, shared her thoughts and best practices related to thanking your donors during our latest Give Back Better webinar.

Key Take-aways

The “Rule of Seven”. Best practices tell us that we should be thanking our donors at least seven times in a variety of ways. It helps build donor loyalty and completes the giving cycle. The thank you can include the gift receipt. It helps move your relationship from transactional to relational. Remember to use different media to thank donors. Social media can help broaden your reach. Stewardship after the gift and thank you can help greatly with sustainability. It is easier and less costly to renew or upgrade a current donor, as opposed to secure a new donor.Make sure you have a solid plan to thank your donors in seven different ways.“Rule of Seven” - Ideas for thanking your donors:

• A standard thank you note with gift receipt attached (remember to use a personal touch)
• Phone Thank-A-Thon – Reach out to your donors with a personal call thanking them
• Websites / Newsletters – Allows your donors to co-brand with you
• “Thank You” Videos – Very impactful and widens the donors reach as you share on social media platforms
• Birthday Cards – This gives you another reason to reach out
• Invitation to a special Donor Appreciation Event – Gives the donor the opportunity to learn more about your organization
• Introduction to a Scholarship Recipient – Donors love to meet the people their money helps to serve.

A good way to ensure you stay on track with your “Thank You Plan” is to create a “Thank You” Calendar. Commit reaching out to your donors with a “Thank You” message at least once per quarter.

Next Month

In June, we will learn how to empower our board members to become brand ambassadors with members of the national Community Engagement and Marketing committee.

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Learn more about Kids’ Chance of America and the upcoming Give Back Better webinars, our dynamic forum for state education that builds on the best experiences, skills, and tools we all have to offer.