Thank you, Thank you, Thank you
In real estate, it's all about location, location, location.
In fundraising, it's thank you, thank you, thank you.
Handwritten thank you notes are a must. This is no place for email! The note may be written by an administrator, faculty member, student, or a parent. Better yet--send one from all four! Some suggested messages are provided below:
- "We sincerely appreciate and thank you for your commitment to this year's annual fund."
- "This brings sincere thanks for the gift you have made to the school. Your support means so much!"
- "Thank you for the trust and confidence demonstrated through your investment in the annual fund this year."
- "A heartfelt thanks is sent to you for your thoughtful donation to further the vision of our school"
- "Thank you for adding to the enthusiastic spirit of our school with your gift to the annual fund."
A thoughtful gift is a great way to say thank you. Be careful not to go overboard, but don't be cheap either. Some schools use a plaque that is given for the first year of donation, then a small plate is attached for each subsequent year of financial support.
Public recognition is the third way to express gratitude. We encourage you to publish the names of your donors, with permission, in at least one annual publication from the school. Be careful about sorting this list based on giving levels. Also, even anonymous donors can be thanked at a large event where a sufficient number of other donors are welcomed.
