Ops Insights #034 Thanking Donors
January 19, 2024 | Read Time: 1 minute | Written by Jenny Kleintop
There is something soothing about preparing thank you letters to donors if you let it. I never get tired of seeing generosity.
As the influx of donations increases this time of year, operation team members tend to put in extra effort to process gifts and send out thank you letters. The industry standard for sending acknowledgments is within 24-48 hours.
If you find yourself outside this timeframe or notice a pattern of non-donor-centric thank-you letters, consider the following tips:
Seek Support: Don't hesitate to reach out for help. Enlist a backup or have a conversation with your leader to communicate your needs and ensure the timely processing of gifts and letters.
Streamline with a Personal Touch: Optimize the initial drafting of the letters but add an element of a human touch. Personalization goes a long way in making each letter special for the donor.
Utilize Email Effectively: Utilize email if that is how the donor gave, but please do not only send the automated thank you/receipt. Add a personal second thank you note.
There is something about seeing the gift come in, entering it, adding a personal note, and hand-folding that thank you letter to drop in the mail.
Rooting for and supporting you, always!
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