Does Your Organization Have A Wish List?

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Throughout this week, countless Christmas celebrations large and small will be held. Many loved ones will share gifts with one another. Significant effort is dedicated towards ensuring a match between gifts under a tree and the wish list of the recipient. 

When was the last time you dedicated effort to a year-round wish list for your organization?

Creating and making widely available an organizational wish list is a worthwhile investment in being donor focused. If offers an option for donors who like to hold something in their hands as they support your mission. While an unrestricted cash gift offers maximum flexibility, the right nonprofit wish list can have an impact on your bottom line.

When assembling your wish list, consider adding:

• Regular recurring purchases like program supplies you must make
• Basic supplies for your office locations like paper, pens, toilet paper, tissues, etc.
• Postage for your fundraising or program mailings
• "Nice to have" items like pizza or other gift certificates to feed volunteers during meetings
• Specific items that might not be in your regular operating budget but would move your mission forward if you had them available

On your wish list, be sure to include information on how the in-kind item will positively impact your organization. Keeping the list up to date as your needs change will minimize the risk that items that can't be utilized are given to your organization.

Work with your CPA or other accounting resources to ensure any receipts for in-kind gifts are properly issued for these donors.

What's on your nonprofit's wish list? Share your experiences below.