There is nothing quite like an honest and genuine showing of gratitude. Think about all the times you may have gone out of your way to help a friend or family member. That heartfelt “thank you” they provide speaks volumes. It is a true sign that you have sent something the recipient deeply appreciates and enjoys.
That same gratitude and appreciation can be passed on to your Not-for-Profit donors. Luckily, there is an uncomplicated way to ensure your donors always feel you are grateful for their time, money, and efforts – a thank you letter for donations.
This letter is more than an act of politeness. It is a crucial tool you can bring out to maintain your fundraising efforts. Here are some easy ways to leverage these thank you notes for your Australian organisation.
What is a Thank You Letter for Donations?
A thank you letter for donation is nothing more than a written or typed acknowledgment for the time or money someone has given to your nonprofit organisation. It is a touchpoint for demonstrating gratitude.
As over 80% of donors would have given again to the same organisation if they received some form of acknowledgment or appreciation, using a thank you letter is an essential way to extend the money and resources received by your organisation.
How Do Thank You Letters Help an NFP?
1 – Recognition and Appreciation
First and foremost, a thank you for your donation letter fosters a true sense of appreciation with your target recipient. It demonstrates that you have received their gift and openly appreciate the time and effort it took to acquire. You are saying this donation is not only noticed but valued.
2 – Solidifying Donor Relationships
You want to strengthen and shorten the bridge between your NFP and the target donor. A thank you letter ensures they feel appreciated and builds upon any previous communication you may have had in the past. You establish a much better connection through a genuine, personalized touch.
3 – Enhancing Donor Retention
Without donor retention, you cannot predict what workable resources you’ll have in the future. You’ll lose your network and risk not meeting goals. A simple and short thank you message for donations ensures donors will continue their support because they see you care. They can see the impact they are having on your mission and goals.
4 – Amplifying Word of Mouth Marketing
Nothing – absolutely nothing – beats word-of-mouth marketing. You could purchase all the ad space in the world, but a recommendation from a friend, loved one, or coworker will always carry more weight than a faceless advertisement.
When you write a short message, you allow your donors to talk about their involvement. In many cases, these letters may be used as framed artwork or digital marketing for their organisations to showcase their participation in the community.
5 – Inspiring Future Engagement
The more your donors stay involved, the greater your chances of engagement for future activities. Use your thank you letter in subtle ways to suggest another touchpoint.
For example, maybe at the end of your thank you, include a short sentence like, “We look forward to seeing you at next month’s gala.” Don’t ask for more money or time. Simply provide them with more ways to get involved that doesn’t feel pushy.
How to Write a Short Thank You Message for Donations
Begin every thank you message for donations with a short, personalized acknowledgment of the gift. Include the total amount or value of the donation. Once that is established, use two or three more sentences to reiterate the valuable work your Australian NFP is doing and how their donations empower that mission.
Next, talk about the details. If a donor gave $200 toward a new wing of your building, discuss how that wing will improve the community and reinforce your NFP’s efforts. Here is where you want to establish an emotional connection and build trust.
Finally, end the letter with a call to action. Encourage them to get involved, discuss future events, or talk about any stories you think apply to the situation that may deepen that emotional bond. When you finish the thank you letter for donations, actually include the words “Thank You.”
Some other quick tips for your short thank you message for donations to your NFP may include:
- Keep it Short: The short message for donations you write shouldn’t take up their time. You are respecting their donation, not authoring an article.
- Include Contacts: Ensure accurate and easy-to-understand contact information is included in your thank you message.
- Adopt an Authentic Tone: Donors can tell when they’re being sold a message. Keep it authentic and genuine, not overly promotional.
- Send it ASAP: Send out your thank you letter for donations as quickly as you can after receiving the gift.
- Don’t Ask for Money: Make sure your letter focuses on appreciation and not additional solicitation of funds.
- Proofread: Always read through your thank you letter for any spelling or grammar errors. Have someone else from your not-for-profit organisation review the letter as well.
- Share the Impact: As long as the donation is public, it’s okay to share your thank you letter online. This should only be a truncated version that doesn’t include the personalization or authentic appreciation you write in the letter.
- Personalize: Tailor your thank you note to the unique needs and demographics of your donor.
Wrapping Up
When writing a thank you letter for donations, one last thing to consider is to handwrite the item. Even if you think your writing isn’t visually the best, the physical act of writing a thank you letter speaks volumes to your appreciation. It demonstrates that you are taking the time to recognize their gifts, which will deepen your relationship.
We feel so strongly about thank you notes at Web 105 because we’ve seen so many Australian nonprofits, government entities, and healthcare providers succeed with these handy little tools. Donations always increase when an authentic and personalized message can be given to anyone offering time, money, or other resources to the organisation.
As a leading team of website design and development experts. We hope you are able to leverage this simple tool to boost your unique NFP mission. If you would like to learn more about our professional service, don’t hesitate to contact our team. Thank you for taking the time to read our note!
FAQs
How do you say thank you after a donation?
Most importantly, ensure your thank you note for donations is short and sincere and highlights the donation’s impact on your NFP’s mission and operations.
Are nonprofits required to send thank you letters for donations?
There is no hard rule about writing a thank you letter for donors, but it certainly goes a long way to helping your future fundraising efforts.
Why is thanking donors important?
One simple word – appreciation. Donors want to know you value their money and time. By writing a thank you note, you express this appreciation clearly, concisely, and authentically.