| November 15, 2007 is National Philanthropy Day - a | | | | to think and to take their time answering. |
| day to recognize the countless individuals and | | | | How they answer the question may naturally result in |
| organizations that give so much year after year to | | | | a bit more conversation. Just don't drag out the call. |
| help make our world a better place to live. | | | | And remember, you're chatting with a very dear |
| I'll be surprised if your nonprofit organization doesn't | | | | friend. |
| already have an event or recognition campaign | | | | Volunteers |
| planned on or near November 15th. Here are a couple | | | | Depending upon how many you have, it may not be |
| general ideas just in case: | | | | practical for someone in your organization to call and |
| Major Donors (individual and corporate) | | | | say "thank you for your service." So perhaps a simple |
| This "holiday" gives you a perfect reason to call your | | | | thank you card sent in the mail, or an email. |
| major donors. I mean a personal phone call from a | | | | Non-Major Donors |
| board member, executive director, development | | | | Now is a great time to make use of those email |
| director, or someone else in a very significant | | | | addresses you've been collecting and adding to your |
| leadership position within your organization. | | | | database throughout the year. Send a very short |
| Simply call each major donor and share something | | | | note of thanks to as many "regular" donors as |
| very simple and brief. For example: | | | | possible. |
| Good morning Mr. Johnson [and if you're on a first | | | | Important: Take time to remove your major donors |
| name basis then by all means, use the first name]. | | | | from this email campaign. You've communicated with |
| This is [identify caller] from [name of organization]. | | | | them by phone - and major donors deserve a bit of |
| Today is National Philanthropy Day so I wanted to call | | | | red carpet personal treatment - so don't send them |
| and thank you for all your support over the past | | | | a mass mailing email. |
| year. All of us here at [name of organization] value | | | | And just as you did with your major donors by |
| your generous support tremendously. THANK YOU | | | | phone, you can also ask your regular donors if there's |
| SO MUCH! | | | | anything different they'd like to see from you. |
| I have one question for you, if I may. Is there | | | | My recommendation is to take advantage of National |
| anything you'd like us to do differently? In other | | | | Philanthropy Day. Recognize those people who keep |
| words, are you receiving all the information about us | | | | your nonprofit organization funded and operational |
| that you want, when you want it, and in the form | | | | throughout the year. Again, a very brief |
| you want it? Anything at all you'd prefer to have | | | | communication with the sole purpose of sharing your |
| done a bit differently? | | | | heartfelt thanks, and to find out if you're on target |
| After you ask this question, sit and wait. Don't say | | | | with all your other communications. |
| anything. Relax and give your major donor a chance | | | | |