The following is a brief presentation created by Linda Hunt on the topic of effectively thanking donors.

1. Thanking Donors
A Presentation By:
Linda Hunt, Senior Director of Development
&
Norelia Huerta, Director of Prospect Management & Research L

2. Thanking Donors
Thanking donors seems like something so basic
that we shouldn’t even have to talk about it.
N

3. Books on the Subject
L

4. But more mistakes, with
more devastating results
for donor loyalty, are
made in the thanking of
donors than anyplace
else…
L

5. There are two things that must be remembered about
saying thanks…
N

6. Donors expect it, and they deserve it!
L

7. It takes a village…
Well, it takes a strong team to thank donors in
the appropriate way.
N

8. Building a Stewardship Team
Who could be on our team?
L

9. 1. DODs
2. Philanthropic Board members
3. Key staff and faculty
N

10. The Power of Thanking the Donor
L

11. Thanking Donors Results In:
1. Increased awareness of CSUSB
2. Valuable repeat donations
3. Increased support and involvement
N

12. The Journey
When we thank people, we need to make sure that
we are taking the donor on a journey…
a path the donor will travel with us to achieve a goal.
L

13. Thanking needs to be the purpose of holding
the donor’s hand on this exciting journey.
N

14. The Power of a Board Member’s
“Thank You”
Because board members are volunteer advocates who
are the heart and soul of philanthropy, they bring
credibility and leverage that cannot be duplicated by
paid staff.
L

15. Board Members & Stewardship
Activities
Thanking and recognizing donors is an important part
of the fundraising process. Asking board members to
send personal thank you notes is a good way to involve
board members in the fundraising process.
N

16. Thanking donors is one of the easiest, and
most fun, ways for board members to
become involved in the fundraising
process.
L

17. Saying “Thank you” to a donor ends one
transaction, but builds a bridge to future support and
deeper engagement. Do it well, and you are on your
way to future…
N

18. 94%
L

19. Research Shows That…
94% of all donors will give
a second gift, and a larger
gift, if thanked by a board
member.
N

20. Thank You Calls
• Thank you calls from the
board to first time donors
are KEY. Second gifts were
39% higher from donors
who received thank you
calls from a board member
• AND 2 years later, over
70% of donors were
retained!
L

21. It DOES make a difference if
the board calls vs. staff
members.
A peer to peer phone call is
deemed as more meaningful
by the donor.
N

22. Surprisingly, new research shows that a thank-you gift
can actually reduce contributions.
Journal of Economic Psychology
Volume 33, Issue 5, October 2012, Pages 973–983
L

23. The Wrong Way to Thank
A gift decreases next gift Board member thank you
increases next gift
N

24. Thanking Donors…
Once is Never Enough.
There are few things more
important than
recognizing our donors.
L

25. In Closing…
The development team thanks you in
advance.
N

26. The Power of a Board Member’s
“Thank You”
Is invaluable
L

27. Now We Have Some Thank You Note
Assignments
Dr. Marc Lynch
P.O. Box 782
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91729
CSUSB PHILANTHROPIC FOUNDATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
DONOR THANK YOU NOTE ASSIGNMENT
• Donor name
• Gift amount
• Gift designation
• Brief donor history
L

28. N

29. Thanking Donors Pamphlet
• Mission statement
• Examples of thank you
notes
• Key points
N

30. Thank You
We welcome you to share your stories
about what a thank you means to you.
L