Q&As

Thanking the donors to a nonprofit organization is naturally one of the most important tasks during a fundraising campaign. It is also one of the most effective ways of cultivating donor loyalty. Here are ways to show appreciation after receiving a major gift:

• Hand-deliver a plaque or a certificate to the donor.
• Designate a special wall of the office or lobby to recognize major donors.
• Dedicate your conference room, your library, or other fitting area to a major donor (with a ceremony, reception, and a plaque).
• If you have outside space around your office, dedicate trees to your donors; allow your donors to buy decorative blocks on your walkway (with their names on them).
• Profile your new donors in your newsletter.
• If you arrange conferences or special events, invite your donors and give them a special name tag that identifies them; arrange a reception to honor your donors.
• Send out a press release when a major gift arrives.
• Create various categories of donors (gift clubs) and assign specific benefits to each (newsletters, your publications, tickets to your performances, and special events).
• Invite your donors to serve on your board.

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