Has your organization incorporated a thank-a-thon into your fundraising schedule? This dedicated, non-fundraising event is an opportunity to express gratitude with no sales pitch or request for money.
It’s great for donors:
The majority of first-time donors do not make a second gift, often because they feel unappreciated. A personal thank-you can help fix this.
Hearing from a leadership volunteer or board member is often more memorable than hearing from a staff member.
Even a short conversation can help donors feel seen an appreciated.
And it’s great for board members:
Thanking donors often feels easier than soliciting, and its still meaningful fundraising work.
Setting up board members to make calls at the same time increases excitement and lowers anxiety. Have staff available for questions and plan time to debrief and share stories afterward.
Connecting with passionate supporters is energizing for board members and often reminds each caller of the many reasons they support you.
It’s even good for your database:
Calling donors helps you clean your data; you can confirm phone numbers and preferred outreach avenues.
Calls may even shed light on which programs excite your donors and what they want to learn more about.