Thanking a donor for a gift should be the first step in cultivating the next gift.

Yet too many nonprofits treat thank-you notes as the end of cultivation process, not the beginning.

A thank-you note should be personal, written for an individual donor.

Send it quickly, and keep it short. Let the donor know you received the gift, and the difference it will make in someone’s life. And tell the donor, genuinely, how much you appreciate the gift.

When some time has passed, follow up, possibly with a request to visit the donor to say thanks in person and learn more about the causes she or he cares about.

Thanking a donor should be the start of a meaningful relationship.

Want help?

Philanthropy North Carolina is a consulting practice that provides writing and strategic communications support for nonprofits, foundations, colleges and universities, and others working for social good.

To find out more about hiring Philanthropy North Carolina to work with your organization to improve your communications, contact Todd Cohen at 919.272.2051 or toddcohen49@gmail.com.