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‘Tis the season of sloppy signatures. For many nonprofits, especially those who are supported by a large donor base, the post-giving-season pile of receipt letters can be overwhelming.
If this is you, hang in there. Slow down and don’t overlook the opportunity that exists with every letter. Someone took the time to choose your mission from the many others that are vying for his/her time and money. A personal, hand-written, note on a receipt letter is the difference between processing a donation and honoring a donation. Donors want to be seen, heard, and appreciated – not processed.
Here are a few tips to help you tackle your stack of letters:
- Tailor the response to the gift. If a donation was given online, send an email receipt (still take the time to personalize with a brief note). If the donation was mailed in, follow the same format for the receipt.
- Divide and conquer. Don’t hesitate to allow other team or board members to sign and personalize receipt letters, especially if they have a connection to the donor.
- It’s ok to reuse verbiage. Write a short 1-2 sentence note that can be re-penned on each letter.
Ultimately, the content is as important as the wet ink. Be sure to read No Margin No Mission next week for suggestions to help your gratitude messages be memorable.
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