In All the Hullabaloo, Don't Forget Gratitude
While I’m learning all kinds of nifty things with my Horizons Stewardship colleagues in Fort Worth, Texas, here’s one from the blog vault:
Yesterday I heard one of my favorite speakers (heck, one of my favorite people) talk about “Building Donor Loyalty.” How can you not love a person who craves Doritos and believes in unicorns? Shanon Doolittle is that person. And, the timing of her presentation couldn’t have been better.
Because…you’ve written your year-end “ask” letter (at least a draft, right?). Once that letter is out and the good folks of your congregation begin to respond with joyful gifts (because we want them to feel great about giving, right?), what’s next? Well, glad you asked!
I am confident most of you are now screaming in delight at your computer or big fancy phone saying, “Cesie, you crazy girl, what’s next is the THANK YOU letter!!!” Right you are, dear friends, right you are.
According to Shanon, donors want three things:
A prompt thank you.
Confirmation that their gift will be used as intended.
A report on what was accomplished with their contribution.
And here’s the big tip: the “thank you” can do all three of the above – thank, confirm, and report.
Now we all know that people in our congregations give because their faith compels them to do so, which is how it should be. But there are also people who rightly would like to know that someone realized that they gave a little something above and beyond their usual tithe.
And that’s your job.
The “thank you” should be a fun exercise in gratitude. Here are a few ways Shanon (and Miss Manners) say you can thank people:
A hand-written letter. (Remember how good you feel when you get one? Channel that when you write.)
A wonderfully heart-felt form letter, with an opening line that will make them feel great, personally signed by you with an extra “thank you” on the side.
A phone call – and yes, you can leave a message. (Just imagine the shock, nay, delight people will experience hearing your voice!)
There are other things you can do (email, text, Facebook) but let’s make it simple and commit to doing one of the top three.
Expressing gratitude in the midst of a season where you are feeling overwhelmed (and I so appreciate all our clergy brethren and sisteren during Advent) can help you refocus on why you went into ministry in the first place.
Maybe, just maybe, after writing a few notes or making a couple of calls, you’ll actually want to dance on Hullabaloo. Be sure to send videos.
Originally posted December 9, 2015
A gentle reminder:
Today’s the last day…send me a draft of your church’s Christmas/Year End letter. I’ll take a look at it and give you some friendly feedback.
Photo credit: GDJ @pixabay.com
*******
Cesie Delve Scheuermann (pronounced “CC Delv Sherman,” yes, really) is a Stewardship Consultant for the OR-ID Annual Conference. She is also a Senior Ministry Strategist with Horizons Stewardship. For 25 years, while working as a volunteer and part-time consultant, she has helped raise over three million dollars for numerous churches and non-profit organizations. And you thought Hullabaloo was silly…check out who was on that show back in the day.
You can reach Cesie at inspiringgenerosity@gmail.com, at CesieScheuermann.com, or at cesieds@horizons.net. Want to schedule a meeting? She’s got you covered!
Schedule a meeting now.
If someone has forwarded this to you and you would like to subscribe to "Inspiring Generosity," click here. Miss an issue? Click here.