Because…you’ve written your year-end “ask” letter (at least a draft, right?). Once that letter is out and the good folks of your congregation begin to respond with joyful gifts (because we want them to feel great about giving, right?), what’s next? Well, glad you asked!
I am confident most of you are now screaming in delight at your computer or big fancy phone saying, “Cesie, you crazy girl, what’s next is the THANK YOU letter!!!” Right you are, dear friends, right you are.
According to Shanon Doolittle, author of “Building Donor Loyalty”, donors want three things:
- A prompt Thank you.
- Confirmation that their gift will be used as intended.
- A report on what was accomplished with their contribution.
And here’s the big tip: the “thank you” can do all three of the above – thank, confirm, and report.
Now we all know that people in our congregations give because their faith compels them to do so, which is how it should be. But there are also people who rightly would like to know that someone realized that they gave a little something above and beyond their usual tithe.
And that’s your job.
The “thank you” should be a fun exercise in gratitude. Here are a few ways Shanon (and Miss Manners) say you can thank people:
A hand-written letter. (Remember how good you feel when you get one? Channel that when you write.)
A wonderfully heart-felt form letter, with an opening line that will make them feel great, personally signed by you with an extra “thank you” on the side.
A phone call – and yes, you can leave a message. (Just imagine the shock, nay, delight people will experience hearing your voice!)
There are other things you can do (email, text, Facebook) but let’s make it simple and commit to doing one of the top three.
Expressing gratitude in the midst of a season where you are feeling overwhelmed (and I so appreciate all our clergy brethren and sisteren during Advent) can help you refocus on why you went into ministry in the first place.
Maybe, just maybe, after writing a few notes or making a couple of calls, you’ll actually want to dance on Hullabaloo. Be sure to send videos.
excerpt from a story by Cesie Delve Scheuermann, consultant in stewardship, development, and grant writing, Oregon-Idaho AC, Click here to subscribe to her blog: "Inspiring Generosity."
United Methodist Church Giving is about people working together to accomplish something bigger than themselves. In so doing, we effect change around the world, all in the name of Jesus Christ. To read stories about the generosity of United Methodists click here.
Originally posted December 9, 2015
