| Have you gotten lazy with your donor relations | | | | Taking a few minutes of a busy day to go through a |
| efforts? If you're like the rest of us, you probably | | | | stack of letters may seem like a chore, but trust me |
| have. We start out being so excited about | | | | - donors who get a Thank You letter with a personal |
| stewarding donors and building relationships, but over | | | | note will be thrilled that you took the time to |
| time, it's easy to get bogged down in the day-to-day | | | | personally acknowledge their gift. |
| activities and we forget to keep our eye on the | | | | 3. Invite donors for a tour of your facility. Always |
| prize. | | | | include in your letter an offer for a guided tour of |
| If you're ready to get back to the basics of good | | | | your facility or program site (if appropriate). You may |
| donor relations, try these three ideas to help you | | | | never have anyone take you up on this, but they will |
| breathe some new life into your fundraising efforts. | | | | remember that you offered. You will probably get a |
| 1. Tell your donors how you will use their money. This | | | | few people who want to visit you. Seeing firsthand |
| is critical. Make sure the donor knows how you plan | | | | the work that you do may make all the difference in |
| to use the donation he or she just sent you. Text | | | | the world to a particular donor. |
| like "Your gift will ensure that 15 children will go to | | | | Always remember that your donors are your most |
| summer camp for one week" makes the process of | | | | important asset. Without them, you'd have no |
| donating more real and tangible to the donor. | | | | fundraising program. Do everything you can to take |
| 2. Add personal notes to Thank You letters. This can | | | | care of them and your efforts will be rewarded. |
| bring big rewards in terms of stewarding donors! | | | | |