Cornerstones of Donor Respect

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Whether your current donors and supports are five or five hundred in total, there are several cornerstone ways you can demonstrate respect for them and their impact on your organization: 

1. Ensure that all people involved in a gift or other support of your organization are properly thanked.  Don't unintentionally overlook women in your acknowledgement as various studies show they are the driving force behind giving. 


2. Always acknowledge someone exactly as they want to be called. This goes for preferred first names, married couples who may have different last names, etc. A person's name represents the only collection of letters in the world that is truly and uniquely theirs.  How names are printed on a check is a good place to start for this. When in any doubt on how a person prefers to be called, ask someone who knows them well for confirmation. 


3. If you know when your supporters have special days are - birthdays, anniversaries, etc., be in touch with them to acknowledge the day. Don't worry about making an ask. Just acknowledge that you share in their joy. 


4. Ensure your supporters receive some sort of report on the impact of their gift.
 

In short, the time you spend keeping your donor list for communications is a trim, proper and accurate reflection of your donors is some of the best time you can invest in your fundraising. Respected donors are more likely to keep making their incredible support of your great work. 

How do you demonstrate donor respect?