The Right Wording

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35 Sincere Donation Thank You Message Examples

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Wondering how to thank someone for their donation? Here are donation thank you message examples to use when you receive a contribution.

Getting a donation is a great thing. It means someone cares for your health and overall needs. If you’re having problems making a thank you message to send. You’re at the right place. Here are some ideas on how to deliver your “Thank You” to someone.

Here are some ideas of thank you messages for when someone sends you a donation of money. You can mix up some of them to make your own unique message.

Donation Thank You Message Samples

Short Thank You Wording Examples for Donation Notes

To make them know how much their donation means to you and your cause, here is a selection of some short thank you for the donation messages and phrases.

1. You’re the rare type of person who makes a difference in people’s lives, pulls them up, and makes the world a better place. Thank you very much for your support of our cause and your donation.

2. Money can’t buy you love, as they say, and it’s true. Your generosity, on the other hand, demonstrates your love for others. Thank you for providing a method of assisting so many individuals.

3. The most amazingly supportive person I have ever had the pleasure of knowing is you. It demonstrates your enormous heart as well as your kindness and generosity.

4. People like you are an example to all of us. Thank you for your wonderful gesture. Your donation today is a gift that could not be more appreciated.

5. We become closer to our goal with each donation we receive. We are thankful for your contribution in helping us make a difference.

6. People like you are not only a joy to be around and engage with, but you are also an inspiration. Thank you very much for being a person that is so nice and generous.

7. You are unmistakably a sweet and compassionate person. Your donation today exemplified this point perfectly. Thank you, and we appreciate you for being a kind, generous, and honest person.

8. Thank you so much for your very generous donation! We are so fortunate to have piqued people’s interest with big hearts like you.

9. Thank you for your generous donation; it means more than words can express. Your generosity and altruism have humbled me.

10. Thank you and my sincerest love for your generous donation. I cherish it more than anything else, and I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude in return for your incredible generosity.

11. You made a very generous donation today. I’m delighted and grateful for such a kind gesture.

READ:  50 Simple Thank You Messages When You Receive Money Or Gift Cards

12. The truth is that actions speak louder than words, and you have demonstrated this today. Your generosity has evoked my deepest thanks.

13. Your donation makes a world of difference. For now and forever, my heartfelt thanks go out to you. Thank you very much, and for that, you may have more blessings to come.

14. Your selflessness and willingness to assist others are admirable. Thank you so much for donating from the bottom of my heart.

15. Thank you for your kind donation from the bottom of my heart. I like and respect your selflessness in donating.

16. We can’t express our gratitude for your financial assistance as we work to achieve our mutual goal. We can only do it because of generous people like you!

17. Most people know that giving rather than getting is preferable. However, you’ve demonstrated that few people understand it as well as you do, and we thank you!

18. We want to express our sincere gratitude for your willingness to provide us with financial assistance. This is a very generous donation.

19. Generosity like yours is hard to get by these days. I’m very grateful for your donation, and I admire your kindness very much.

20. Persons only make donations like yours with big hearts and good intentions. I appreciate it greatly and will carry out exactly what you have instructed us to do with it.

21. Your willingness to fill the gap where it needs to be filled has touched our hearts. Thank you for your unending donation and assistance.

22. Thank you for being a monthly donor regularly. Monthly donations help us with our budget since we can plan ahead of time.

READ:  100+ Best Ways To Say ‘Thank You For Your Support’

how to thank donors for contribution

Thank you For Your Contribution and Support Messages

We should appreciate people who support and contribute to our success. Here are some thank you notes to follow to warm their heart.

23. I appreciate your support, and we can continue to achieve great things. Thank you for being a driving force in our lives. More amazing people like you are desperately needed. Thank you so much for your attention and participation.

24. Your contribution today and your assistance will inspire others to make a gift today.

25. Your contribution goes above and beyond anything I could have hoped for. Thank you so much for all of your assistance.

26. Your contribution is well appreciated and will be remembered fondly in my memory. I truly cannot express how thankful I am.

27. We can accomplish anything due to the generosity of people like you. We thank you and appreciate your support for this.

28. The task ahead of us is arduous, and your generosity has made it that much easier to complete it and propel us forward. Thank you! We appreciate and cherish your support and willingness to assist us in achieving our goals in this endeavor. We appreciate your cooperation.

29. Given that we are in a period of financial uncertainty, your contribution is especially meaningful. Thank you for your kind financial assistance during this trying time.

30. Your assistance will be appreciated. Your contribution will be much appreciated.

31. Your contribution is vital to our cause, and we’d want to express our gratitude for it. Your donation will assist in the realization of dreams.

32. You listened to the plea for assistance and responded admirably. Thank you for your financial contribution and desire to assist us in moving forward.

33. Your assistance aided us in getting that much closer to achieving what we set out to do. We appreciate and thank you for your participation.

34. Thank you for your unfailing, steadfast, and unwavering support. We do appreciate your willingness to lend a hand.

35. Thank you so much for providing your (items) to us. As you may be aware, (items) have benefitted us in so many ways. 

READ:  50+ Examples of Thank You Messages To Thank Someone For Their Help

35 Sincere Donation Thank You Message Examples

Status.net

‘Thank You for Your Donation’: 10 Example Emails and 30 Phrases

By Status.net Editorial Team on February 26, 2024 — 12 minutes to read

When you receive a donation, it’s important to express your gratitude to the donor. A heartfelt thank-you not only shows your appreciation but also helps to strengthen your relationship with the donor. In this section, we’ll talk about why saying thank you matters and provide some examples for thank-you notes, letters, and emails.

First, let’s understand why saying thank you is so important. When someone donates to your cause or organization, they’re essentially investing their hard-earned money, time, or resources in you. They trust that their contribution will make a positive impact. By showing your appreciation, you’re acknowledging their support and validating their decision to help. This could lead to the donor feeling more connected to your cause and possibly donating again in the future.

Crafting the Perfect Thank-You Note

Personalizing your message.

It’s important to make your thank-you note unique and personal, because it shows your appreciation in a genuine manner. You can achieve this by mentioning specific details about the donation and how it has impacted your cause or life. For instance, you could write:

“Dear John, your donation has helped us purchase much-needed supplies, like textbooks and uniforms, for underprivileged students in our community.”

To make your note even more personal, try to mention the donor’s connection to your cause or share a personal anecdote:

“Dear Lisa, I know you’ve been a long-time supporter of animal welfare, and your generous donation of $200 has enabled us to rescue and care for more animals in need.”

Thank-You Letter Examples

Donation acknowledgement example.

In this example, imagine that you’re a non-profit organization acknowledging a monetary donation. It’s important to express your gratitude to the donor and provide them with the relevant information for tax purposes.

Dear [Donor Name],

We are writing to express our gratitude for your generous donation of $[Amount]. Thanks to your support, we can continue our work in [Mission or Cause]. Your contribution means a lot to us and the community we serve.

Please note that this letter serves as your official donation receipt for tax purposes. Your donation is tax-deductible, and our organization’s Tax ID number is [Tax ID Number].

Once again, thank you for your generosity and support.

[Your Name] [Organization Name]

Example Emails: ‘Thank You for Your Donation’

This next example is a thank-you note for a non-monetary donation, such as products or services. In this scenario, you want to express gratitude while acknowledging the specific gift the donor provided.

We are writing to say a big thank you for your recent donation of [Item or Service]. Your generosity allows us to [How the Donation Helps Your Organization]. With your help, we can make a significant impact in our community.

We’re excited to be able to utilize your donated [Item or Service] in the following ways: – [Benefit or Use 1] – [Benefit or Use 2] – [Benefit or Use 3]

Your support means the world to us. From everyone at [Organization Name], we would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation.

Warm regards,

Example 3 Dear [Name], I wanted to personally thank you for your generous donation to support our cause. Your contribution means a lot to us and will help us continue our efforts. We truly appreciate your help. Best regards, [Your Name]  

Alternatively, a thank-you letter can be longer and more detailed. You can use this format to provide information about how the donor’s contribution will be used and the impact it will have. Here’s an example of what that might look like:

Dear [Name], I hope this letter finds you well. We recently received your donation of $100, and I wanted to express our deepest gratitude for your support. Your generosity will help us to purchase essential supplies and equipment for our upcoming project. Thanks to you and others like you, this year, we will be able to achieve our goal of providing assistance to over 100 families in need. On behalf of our entire team, please accept our heartiest thanks. With warm regards, [Your Name]  

A heartfelt thank-you email is a quick and efficient way to acknowledge donations. This method is particularly useful for organizations that receive a high volume of online contributions. Here’s what a thank-you email might look like:

Subject: Your Donation Made a Difference – Thank You! Dear [Name], Thank you so much for your generous donation of $200! Your support means a lot to us and helps us continue our work. Below is a breakdown of how your contribution will be used: 50%: Educational materials and workshops 30%: Support for our community outreach program 20%: Administrative costs We appreciate your trust in our mission, and we’re excited to update you on our progress in the coming months. Sincerely, [Your Name]   Example 6 Dear [Name], we’re deeply touched by your thoughtful donation. It has played an instrumental role in providing clean water to families in need, and we couldn’t have done it without your support. Sincerely, [Your Name]   Examples of Heartfelt Thank-You Notes for Charitable Contributions   Example 7 Dear [Donor’s Name], Thank you so much for your generous donation of [amount]. Your contribution will go a long way in helping us [specific impact of donation]. You’ve made a real difference in our community. We’re so grateful for your support! Best regards, [Your Name]   Example 8 [Donor’s Name], We want to extend our sincerest gratitude for your donation of [item/amount]. Your involvement in our cause means a lot to us, and it’s because of supporters like you that we can continue [mission/impact of organization]. Warmest regards, [Your Name]
Example 9 Hi [Donor’s Name], We wanted to take a moment to thank you for your recent donation of [Amount] to [Organization Name]. By supporting us, you help make a difference in [Benefit or Impact of Donation]. We appreciate your generosity!   Best regards, [Your Name]

Corporate Donation Example Email

Lastly, here’s an example of a thank-you letter for a corporate donation. In this case, you’ll want to acknowledge their partnership and highlight the positive impact it will bring.

Dear [Corporate Partner],

Our entire team at [Organization Name] extends their thanks for your generous donation of [Amount or Item]. With your support, we can further extend our reach and create a lasting impact within our community.

Your company’s contribution has allowed us to [Particular Project or Goal]. Together, we are making a real difference in the lives of those we serve.

We’re proud to have you as our partner and sincerely appreciate the support you’re providing. We look forward to a continued, collaborative partnership.

Examples Phrases to Use to Say “Thank You for Your Donation”

When expressing your gratitude to donors, it’s important to use the right phrases to convey your appreciation. Friendly and heartfelt thank-you notes, letters, or emails can go a long way in acknowledging their generosity. Here are 30 example phrases you can use to say “Thank you for your donation”:

  • We truly appreciate your support.
  • Your contribution has made a difference.
  • Your donation means so much to us.
  • Thank you for your kindness and generosity.
  • Your gift will help us make a significant impact.
  • We are grateful for your unwavering support.
  • Your donation is crucial to our mission’s success.
  • Your generosity is deeply appreciated.
  • With your help, we can achieve our goals.
  • Thank you for being a part of our community.
  • Every bit counts, and your support is valued.
  • Your generosity is an inspiration.
  • We appreciate your partnership in our cause.
  • Your gift is making a lasting difference.
  • We are grateful for your trust in our organization.
  • Your donation is essential to our efforts.
  • Thank you for making a positive impact.
  • We are thankful for your commitment to our cause.
  • Your support is helping us reach new heights.
  • Your thoughtful gift is treasured.
  • Your donation helps us move forward.
  • Your contribution is a true investment in our work.
  • We couldn’t do this without you.
  • Thank you for your unwavering dedication.
  • Your gift is cherished and valued.
  • You’re making a difference with your generosity.
  • We’re grateful for your powerful support.
  • Your generosity is making a real difference.
  • Thank you for being an important part of our team.
  • We are honored by your contribution to our cause.

Email Etiquette for Donation Thanks

Subject line tips.

Crafting the perfect subject line is a vital part of expressing gratitude for donations. It’s the first thing your donors see when they receive your thank-you message. To grab their attention, you’ll want to carefully consider:

  • Keep it simple and precise: Your subject line should be concise and to the point.
  • Show appreciation: Include words like “thank you”, “grateful”, or “appreciated” in the subject line.
  • Personalize it: Use the donor’s name if possible, as it adds a personal touch.
  • Avoid all caps: Using all caps can come across as aggressive or unprofessional.

For example: “Thank You for Your Donation, [Donor’s Name]!” or “Your Support Makes a Difference, [Donor’s Name]!”

Email Structure and Content

The content of your email is just as important as the subject line. It should convey the impact of the donation, demonstrate appreciation, and remain brief. Here’s a simple structure to follow:

  • Greeting : Address the donor by name or use a friendly salutation, like “Dear [Donor’s Name].”
  • Express gratitude : Thank your donor for their specific contribution. For example, “Thank you for your generous $50 donation.”
  • Share the impact : Describe how their donation will be used and how it will benefit your cause. For instance: “Your contribution will help provide meals for ten families in need.”
  • Personal touch : Adding a personal touch, such as mentioning something unique about the donor’s involvement with your organization, is a great way to strengthen the connection.
  • Closing : End your email with a warm sign-off, like “With Gratitude” or “Sincerely.”

Timing and Delivery of Thank-You Messages

When sending thank-you messages for donations, you need to consider the timing and delivery methods. Try to send your messages within one week of receiving the donation.

You can choose from various methods of communication depending on the donor’s preferences and the type of donation:

  • Snail Mail : Sending a handwritten or printed thank-you letter is a great personal touch, especially for significant or recurring donations. Include your organization’s branding and possibly a small gift as an added token of appreciation.
  • Email : If the donor prefers electronic communication or has made an online donation, a well-crafted email can effectively express gratitude. Make sure to personalize your message, use your organization’s branding, and avoid generic, automated responses.
  • Phone Call : For donors who have a strong connection to your organization, a phone call allows for immediate and personal gratitude. Prepare what you’d like to say beforehand to keep the call concise and genuine.
  • Social Media : Publicly recognizing donors on social media platforms can increase their connection to your organization and encourage others to donate. Be sure to obtain permission from the donor before using their name or photograph.

In some cases, you may want to use multiple methods to reach out to donors. For example, you could send a thank-you letter and then follow up with a phone call.

For example:

Phone Call : “Hi [Donor’s Name], this is [Your Name] from [Organization Name], and I’m calling to personally thank you for your recent donation of [Amount]. Your support means a lot to us, and it enables us to continue our efforts in [Organization’s Mission].”

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Thank-You Notes

Avoid generic phrases and personalization.

Try to stray away from overused phrases like “Thank you for your kind donation” and personalize your message. Reference the specific amount donated or any unique aspect of the contribution. This will help your thank-you note feel genuine and tailored to the recipient. For example:

Thank you for your generous $100 donation to our animal shelter. Your contribution enables us to provide food and medical care to our rescue pets.

Stay concise

Keep your thank-you note relatively brief. Aim to convey your gratitude efficiently without unnecessary embellishments. Stay focused on the main message of expressing appreciation for the recipient’s actions while highlighting the positive impact of their donation.

Mind your tone

Maintaining a friendly yet professional tone is important in a thank-you note. Use casual language when appropriate, but avoid using jargon or slang. This ensures that the communication remains accessible to the recipient.

Double-check spelling and grammar

As with any written communication, make sure to proofread your thank-you note for spelling and grammatical errors before sending it. Typos can detract from the sincerity of your message and even make it difficult to read.

Avoid exaggeration and false claims

Stick to the facts and avoid making exaggerated or dishonest statements. Misleading the recipient about the impact of their donation not only reflects poorly on you, but may also harm your organization’s credibility. For instance, instead of saying their donation alone “saved the lives of hundreds of animals,” focus on the tangible benefits it will contribute to:

Your donation makes it possible for us to provide essential care to our rescue animals, including vaccinations, medications, and spay/neuter surgeries.

Frequently Asked Questions

How should i structure a thank-you letter for a donation.

To structure a thank-you letter for a donation, start with a warm salutation, addressing the donor by their name. Next, express your gratitude for the contribution and explain how their donation will help your cause. To personalize the letter, mention any specific details you may have about the donation. Lastly, reiterate your thankfulness and sign off with a proper closing (e.g., “Sincerely,” “With gratitude,” etc.).

What are some effective phrases to include in a donation thank-you message?

  • Your generosity has a significant impact on [cause or organization].
  • Words cannot describe how grateful we are for your support.
  • Your contribution is integral to our mission.
  • You’re making a world of difference in the lives of [group or population affected].
  • We are truly appreciative of your kindness and support.

How do I personalize a thank-you email for a donor’s generosity?

To personalize a thank-you email, incorporate the donor’s name and specific details about their contribution. Consider mentioning how their donation will directly impact your cause and, if applicable, share personal stories or updates related to the donation. It’s important to make the recipient feel valued and appreciated for their individual support.

What is the best way to express gratitude for a donation to a school?

When expressing gratitude for a donation to a school, focus on the impact that the contribution will have on the students and staff. Share how the donation will be used (e.g., funding for new equipment, support for after-school programs, etc.), and emphasize the positive outcomes that will result from the donor’s generosity.

How do I acknowledge and thank my donors for in-kind contributions?

When thanking donors for in-kind contributions, acknowledge the specific item or service donated and express your gratitude. Also, explain how their contribution will benefit your organization, cause, or event. Just like with monetary donations, it’s important to personalize your message, highlighting the impact of the donor’s support.

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Fundraising KIT

How to Write the Perfect Thank You Message for Donors

thank you for your donation speech

In 2020, nonprofits retained about 34% of their 2019 donors . Unfortunately, this stat means that nearly two-thirds of donors don’t give again after their first donation! 

However, by showing your donors you appreciate them, you can increase your donor retention rate and raise more money. This is why thank yous are so important to your overall fundraising strategy .

In this article, we’ll discuss how to write the perfect thank you message for donors. Here is, in full, what we’ll cover:

Why Thanking Donors Is Important

Saying “thank you” is a vital piece of donor stewardship, and could be the difference between losing a donor and establishing a long-lasting relationship. 

80% of donors who don’t make a second donation say that a thank you would’ve convinced them to donate again. Additionally, the cost of acquiring new donors can easily outweigh the initial value of a new donor by 50% to 100% . So, recapturing first-time donors with an effective thank you is vital to an efficient fund development strategy .

If you can introduce a culture of thanking donors into your everyday workflows, you’ll be well on your way to increasing donor retention.

Download FREE Thank You Letter Templates

Saying “thank you” is a vital part of a nonprofit fundraising strategy. use these templates to craft general, campaign, and impact-focussed thank you messages., best practices for writing the perfect thank you message for donors.

Every donor is different and may require a different approach, but the best practices listed below can take any thank you message to the next level.

1. Be timely

Make sure to send your thank you promptly; within a week of a donation is ideal timing. But,  don’t send a thank you immediately following a donation because it’ll seem automated and inauthentic. Instead, follow up with their receipt. 

Speaking of timing, why wait until a donation has come in to thank a donor? 

Donors support you even when they aren’t giving you money: they share your social media posts, mention you to colleagues, or even wear your branded gear. Their support is continuous, so don’t limit yourself to thank yous only following a donation. 

Pro tip: Thank donors year-round with shout-outs on social media, in newsletters, or by email.

2. Be authentic

Thank yous shouldn’t come across as superficial. Donors are integral to your organization’s success so let this authenticity and genuine gratitude shine through in your thank you messages.

One way to do this is to tailor your message to each donor. You may not be able to handwrite a novel to everyone but at the very least, include their name in your message. If your email marketing software is connected to your donor management system, you can even do this automatically, which is integral at scale. 

Looking for some guidance on how to automatically add personalized details to your donor emails? Check out this article by Keela. 

Also, for donors you want to write to individually, add details about their giving history or their connection to your cause. Use your donor management system to track your interactions with donors so that when it comes time to write your message, you have the information you need at your fingertips.

3. Share impact

It’s important to include the impact a donor has created in a thank you message. This helps a donor understand where their money is going and its value to beneficiaries.

The best way to share impact is by telling a story and using data to back it up. For example, you could write, “Your $100 donation provided Christmas dinner for four families this year”. 

Then, connect this data point to a narrative they can empathize with. For example, you could say, “One of those families was the Smith family, who fell on hard times this year and have been supported by our organization.” 

The numbers provide the evidence, but the story provides the essential human connection.

Communicate Your Impact with this Free Annual Report Template

Use this template to demonstrate your impact, communicate your team’s performance, and promote financial transparency., 4. don’t be afraid to get emotional.

While you don’t want to make your message too wordy, don’t be afraid to elicit emotion in your message. For many people, a donation is much more than a financial transfer – it’s a decision they make with their heart as well as their wallet. So, it’s suitable to match this emotion in your thank you message.

One way to elicit emotion is by adding visuals where appropriate. A picture speaks a thousand words, which will help keep your message brief and to the point. Check out GoFundMe’s best practices for using fundraising pictures to get started with visuals.

5. Don’t ask for money

We recommend that you don’t ask for more money in your thank you message. It pulls the focus away from the gratitude of your message and makes it seem like you have ulterior motives for reaching out. 

Keep your “thank you for the donation” note limited to showing gratitude and reach out at a later time to make another ask. Also, showing authentic appreciation following a donation will help you when you make an ask down the road.

6. Send from an actual person

No matter what form your thank you message takes, it should come from a person and not your organization. For example, research from Pinpointe marketing found that using a specific person’s name – opposed to an organization’s name – can increase open rates by 35% !

Also, signing off from the organization makes the message seem generic and less personal. 

Think about who would be the most appropriate person to send messages of thanks from, and ask them if they’re ok with being the sender.

7. Use donor-centered language

What you say is just as important as how you say it. When you frame a message around the individual, it makes it much more personal. 

Don’t say, “We use donations to provide critical support to an animal hospital”. Instead, you should say, “Your donation has helped fund the XYZ Animal Hospital in your community. We couldn’t provide this critical support without your monthly gift!” 

One area in which donor-centered language really packs a punch is email subject lines. In fact, personalized subject lines can increase your open rates by up to 50% ! So try using donor-centered language in your next subject line.

A “Thank You” For Every Type Of Donor

How to thank major donors.

Every donor deserves a thank you, but when someone makes a major gift, they require an extra-special thank you. 

Soliciting major gifts often requires building a relationship with donors over a few years. So, you’ll likely know your major donors better than other donors. This allows you to be even more personal with your thank you than you otherwise could be. 

You could thank major donors with a phone call to start. You may want to follow this up with a plaque or other physical reminder of their donation. A donor appreciation event such as a dinner or party can also help major donors feel the impact of their donation and meet others in the community. 

Not sure where to start when planning a donor appreciation event? Check out these great tips for hosting an exclusive and memorable event. 

Also, make sure to tailor a major donor thank you to something that suits that donor and makes them feel appreciated. For example, a very private donor may not want a surprise plaque above the door of your office.

How to thank monthly donors

When a donor keeps coming back to your organization month after month, it means they’re deeply aligned with your cause and committed to your organization’s mission. Your thank you should reflect this level of commitment. 

A great way to thank monthly donors is by inviting them to see the impact of their donations. For example, you could ask them to come for a site tour or even to volunteer for a day. Giving monthly donors a first-hand experience and thanking them in person will show them how much they’re appreciated. 

Check out Donor By Design Group’s blog to learn how to curate a great donor site visit .

How to thank campaign donors

Donors who give as a part of a fundraising campaign are unique because they’re all giving to help your organization reach a specific goal. This means that your thank you message should be specific and report on the campaign’s outcome.

Thank campaign donors by reporting on campaign outcomes and impact. They’ll want to know if the campaign reached its goal, how their money will be used, and the progress of the project they’re funding. 

Additionally, tag these donors on social media to allow them to show their friends what they’ve been a part of.

Plan Your Next Campaign With This FREE Gift Range Calculator

Use this tool to help you predict how much you’ll raise from your prospects. this tool works for campaigns, annual revenue estimates, or fundraising events, how to thank micro donors.

Don’t discount donors who give small gifts! Every gift counts, and a quick thank you will ensure they give again. A micro donor today could become a major donor tomorrow. 

Because you’ll likely have more micro donors than other donors, you’ll want to thank them in a way that’s scalable while still being sincere. 

It’s not practical to send a handwritten note every time you receive a micro-donation. However, there are still ways to personalize automated emails. For example, you can segment donors based on the program they donate to so they receive a thank you message tailored to their interest area. 

All of the best practices we discussed above also apply to an automated message so you can make it more sincere.

How to thank donors at risk of lapsing

Remember how we discussed the importance of donor retention? Well, when a donor hasn’t donated in a long time – and is at risk of churning – they may need some extra attention. Sending them a thank you note for all of their support can be a great way to re-engage them . 

You could get their attention by tagging them on social media in a post thanking donors. Alternatively, you could send them an email asking for input on the organization, which shows that you value their non-monetary contributions as well. These strategies make donors feel connected to your community and remind them of the important role they play within your organization.

Last, check out this guide on using social media in your fundraising strategy to gain helpful insights into engaging donors.

How to thank new donors

You never get a second chance to make a first impression. A first donation experience should leave a donor feeling welcome and appreciated. You can achieve this by following up their donation with a thank you note and a “welcome to the donor community”.

If you start things off on the right foot, it’s easier to develop a long-term relationship. A great way to express gratitude is by sending a thank you video . This could include some of the people in the program they’re supporting, outline their generous donation’s impact, or be a brief thanks from your CEO. 

It doesn’t need to be elaborate, but a video will make first-time donors feel extra special and connected to your organization.

They say it takes a village to raise a nonprofit, right? Well, your donors are your village, and you couldn’t do your work without them. So, show your donors how valuable they are by thanking them consistently and authentically. 

No matter how big or small, there’s an appropriate thank you for every donor. Hopefully, the best practices outlined in this article will help you curate the right thank you for your donors. 

Do you have any creative ways to thank donors? We would love to hear about them!

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thank you for your donation speech

Content Writer at KIT With a passion for nonprofit innovation, Ally has spent her career helping build community capacity and supporting social innovation as a customer success manager turned, youth worker, turned social researcher. After leaving the tech start-up landscape, she pursued a Master’s in Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership and has since supported nonprofits to innovate and grow. A Canadian ex-pat and social entrepreneur based in Edinburgh, she enjoys hiking, baking bread in a panic, and pursuing the full Scottish experience- rain and rugby included!

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How to Write The Best Thank-You Letter for Donations + Three Templates and Samples

How to Write The BEST Thank-You Letter for Donations (+ 3 Templates & Samples!)

You’ve worked hard to bring in those donations, but does the work stop there? Absolutely not. In fact, in a lot of ways it’s just starting.

When a donor makes a gift to your organization — especially if it’s their first one — you enter the stewardship phase. This is where you communicate with the donor, express your gratitude, and work on building and nurturing your relationship, so that the donor continues to give and be an active member of your community for years to come.

And it all starts with, you guessed it, a  thank you  letter.

A well crafted, sincere, and meaningful thank you letter can be the difference between a one-time donor and someone who gives regularly for years,  volunteers  with your organization, and spreads the word about your work among their friends and family.

Curious about how to write such a letter? Read on to learn our top 15 tips for writing the perfect thank you letter, browse three inspiring samples, and get your hands on three ready-to-use templates you can customize and start sending to your donors.

Let’s take a look!

Thank you letter for donations banner. Click here to get three donation thank you letter templates

Why Thank You Letters for Donations are Important

A great thank you letter is much more than just a receipt or confirmation that a transaction has taken place. Here are a few reasons why thank you letters are so important:

1. They allow you to express gratitude 

There are thousands of other nonprofits and amazing causes out there, yet the donor chose to support yours. Use the thank you letter to express just how grateful you are for their contribution and reassure them that they made the right decision.

2. They make the donor feel valued

Your organization wouldn’t be able to do the work that you do without the support of donors. Make sure they know just how much you need and appreciate them by sending a sincere thank you letter.

3. They help nurture your relationship with the donor

Every interaction and piece of communication you send to the donor helps build your relationship with them. The first thank you letter you send is often the start of that relationship and will inspire the donor to keep giving and keep engaging with your organization.

4. They’re a part of good donor stewardship

Good  donor stewardship  means making sure the donor has a positive, meaningful experience with your organization. It has a direct impact on your donor retention rate and future  fundraising , since donors who have an outstanding donor experience are much more likely to give again and often increase the rate and amount of their giving.

Types of Thank You Letters for Donations

There are many different types of donations, and there are different thank you letters associated with each one. Here are some of the most common kinds of letters and when to send them:

1. Email:  Send a quick thank you note for  online donations  that don’t require a tax receipt or donations to peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns (though be sure to send a physical letter to the people who raised funds from their friends and families). An email thank you lets you show your acknowledgement and appreciation for donors right away.

2. One-time gift:  Send a physical thank you letter for any one-time gifts over a certain amount and include a tax receipt.

3. Recurring gift:  For donors who give  monthly , there’s no need to send a new thank you letter every month, but do send a nice message once a year to recap their giving and its impact.

4. Pledge gift:  Send a thank you letter to individuals or organizations who make a pledge — a promise to donate a certain amount over a certain number of years. Don’t forget to send a separate thank you note after each of the installments comes in.

5. Fundraising:  For donors who participate in fundraising events or campaigns, send a thank you letter to show appreciation for their support and effort in rallying the community. You can include a recap of the fundraising campaign and a personalized note about their impact, to show that they are part of something bigger.

6. Gift of securities:  Be sure to send a thank you letter to anyone who makes a gift in the form of stocks, bonds, or mutual funds.

7. In-kind gift:  Send a thank you letter to individuals or organizations who make  in-kind donations  (for example, items to sell at your auction).

8. Planned gift:  Send a thank you letter to donors who leave your organization in their will. In this case, all of your stewardship efforts should happen before you actually receive the funds.

9. Sponsorship:  Send a special thank you to companies who sponsor your events and programs.

10. Event attendance:  Send a thank you letter to every event attendee, especially if part of the ticket cost is considered a donation.

11. Major gift:  For major donors who give a substantial amount and already have an established relationship with your organization, most templated letters will come across as insincere. Instead, consider asking your leadership to write a handwritten thank you note.

15 Best Practices For Your Nonprofit Thank You Letter

1. use the donor’s name.

Nothing says, “This is a form letter” more clearly than failing to include a donor’s name. Starting your thank you letter for a donation off with “Dear Friend” makes people feel like your nonprofit doesn’t care — not the tone you want to set in a thank you to donors!

Mail merges make it easy to add names and personal details into your thank you letters. It’s a small thing, but it makes a big difference in how your donors will feel.

2. Send it promptly

Don’t delay — the faster you can get your thank you to donors, the better. A prompt thank you allows you to extend the good feelings the donor has about making a gift and heads off any buyer’s remorse that may otherwise set in.

Try to send your thank you message within 24-72 hours of receiving it. This ensures that:

  • Donors feel appreciated immediately
  • Donors remember they gave to your organization
  • Donors don’t accidentally get solicited again before they’re thanked.

3. Send it from a person

Letters feel the most personal when they’re from one person, not an entire organization. Often, you’ll want to go with the “top-ranking” person at your organization, like your executive director or chair of your board, but consider making the sender a volunteer or client impacted by your programs.

4. Show impact

Your thank you for a donation is part of your donor communication stream, and a chance to tell them more about your mission, and their impact. Donors want to know that the money they’ve given is making a difference, so reference how you’ll use it.

An example thank you letter for donation with a large image in the banner of people hugging.

This letter from  water.org  shows the impact of a gift by quickly telling the story of Anisa, and how access to clean water changed her life.

5. Be warm and friendly

Receiving a thank you for your donation should feel good. Keep the tone warm and friendly, not stiff and formal. As you write your letter, picture a  volunteer  or donor that you like and appreciate, and imagine you’re writing only to them. Avoid overly lofty language like, “on behalf of X Organization.” Instead, talk to your donors like friends.

Read More:  4 Ways to Surprise and Delight Your Donors

6. Use donor-centered language

A thank you letter is about acknowledging your donors, not singing your own praises. Keep the focus on the donor and their contributions by using “you” more than “we/us” and talking about what the donor has made possible, rather than what your organization does. Key phrases include:

  • “Because of you”
  • “With your help”
  • “Your gift”
  • “Thanks to your support”
  • “You make X possible.”
  • “We couldn’t do it without you.”

7. Avoid empty jargon

Nonprofits have a lot of sector-specific jargon that means a lot if you work in the field and means absolutely nothing if you don’t. Keep that jargon out of your external communications, including thank you letters to donors.

Your average donor won’t connect with phrases like “launching a capital campaign,” or “capacity-building grant,” but they’ll understand “raising money to build a new library,” or “providing more meals to homeless people.” Say what you mean so they can get excited about it.

8. Reference their history

Loyal, recurring donors are a wonderful thing. Celebrate their loyalty and commitment in your thank you letters. Show them you know, remember, and value their contributions.

Make sure returning donors are getting a different thank you letter than first-time donors and use data segmentation and mail merges to personalize them with unique references to the donor’s history with your organization. For example:

  • “Since 2010, you’ve supported people in our community who are battling addiction.”
  • “I’m so glad you could attend our recent seminar on everyday actions for conservation.”
  • “Thank you for being someone we can count on every year.”

9. Add personal touches

Make your thank you even more personal by adding hand-signed signatures and notes from relevant people. Check your  contact database  for relationships with staff and board members, recent event attendance, and other information that you can reference in your letter, or add in a hand-written note in the margins of the letter.

10. Offer more contact

Imagine a donor is so moved by your thank you that they want to learn even more about your organization. Make it easy for them to do so by including contact information for the letter-sender, along with links to your website, social media, and email (if the communication is electronic).

11. Don’t make a direct ask

A thank you letter is about appreciation for the donor, not your needs. Imagine you’re making your child write grandma a thank you note for their recent birthday presents. You’d encourage them to express their thanks, and perhaps share a little about how they plan to use the gift. You wouldn’t let them make it all about what they want for Christmas, right? The same follows for nonprofit thank you letters–they are not a good opportunity for another ask.

Focus on gratitude — you can send another ask soon, but not before you’ve adequately expressed your thanks.

12. Include quotes and stories

The best people to speak to your nonprofit’s impact are the people you serve. Including quotes and stories from them can give your thank you letter more authenticity and drive emotion.

13. Add appropriate visuals

Use photos, videos, and infographics to show your donors the people they’ve helped, the places you’ve worked, and the changes you’ve made together.  Information paired with images is remarkably more memorable , and can keep the good feelings from your thank you going even longer.

14. Keep it concise

If your thank you letter is too long or looks like one big block of text, donors will be less likely to read it. Instead, focus on only the important aspects of our message and keep it short and sweet.

While it’s important to show impact, you don’t need to write three paragraphs about how the funds will be spent. Leave this information for the  annual report  or an update you’ll be sending at a later point.

15. Include a tax receipt

The IRS requires an official tax receipt for donations over $250, but it’s a good practice to issue receipts for smaller donations, as well, since many donors use them to keep track of their finances.

Your tax receipts should include the name of your organization, your tax ID number, the name of the donor, the date and amount of the donation, and any legal statements that are applicable in certain situations.

For more details about how to issue tax receipts, check out the article  Donation Receipts: Everything You Need to Know .

How to Write Your Own Thank You Letter for Donations

To write your own thank you letter, grab one of our  three templates  and customize them to reflect your donors and their impact. Remember to keep it short and sweet — it’s better to send a brief letter that your donors will actually read, instead of a highly detailed one that will be skimmed at best.

Here’s what to include in your letter:

Start your letter with a statement of gratitude to set the tone for the rest of the message. Use this opportunity to personalize the letter as much as possible — include the donor’s name, donation amount, their past contributions, their history with your organization, or any of their recent interactions with you (for example, event attendance).

This will give the donor a sense that you wrote the letter just for them, instead of using a generic thank you message for everyone.

In this next section, talk about the impact that the donor’s gift will have on your organization’s work. If they’ve given to the same cause before, talk about what their past contributions have helped you achieve.

Remember to always use donor-centric language (“you” instead of “we”). As much as you can, try to incorporate stories and quotes from real-life people who’ve benefited or will benefit from the donation.

Conclusion:

Here, you can reiterate your gratitude and invite the donor to get in touch with you should they have any questions or concerns. Be sure to include your contact info and, if possible, get a live signature from the letter’s signatory.

Whatever you do, do not ask for another donation in a thank you letter. You can do this later in a dedicated appeal.

Sample Thank You Letters For Nonprofits

To help you get inspired, we wrote three sample thank you letters — two for monetary donations, and one for in-kind donations.

Sample Letter 1: Long Version

Thank you for your donation to XYZ Nonprofit! It really makes a difference for the children in our community.

Thanks to you, kids have a safe place to go after school. Instead of going home alone while their families are at work, our kids are learning to play soccer and make art, forming friendships with peers and relationships with adult mentors, and improving their grades at our Homework Help Center.

Those three hours after the end of the school day can make a crucial difference in kids’ lives. Consider our friend Kim, age 10. Before joining our program, she’d walk home with her younger sister, and then lock the door until their mom got home. If she needed homework help, she had to wait.  Thanks to your support, we were able to open a program at Kim’s school, and now, she and her sister go to XYZ Aftercare instead of their empty apartment.

Kim says it best: “XYZ Aftercare makes everyday fun! I took a coding class, and have my homework done before I go home.” Kim’s mom adds, “She learns so much! I never felt safe having the girls alone so long, but couldn’t afford any other options.” Thanks to you, Kim’s family doesn’t have to worry about how to pay for this care, and Kim and her sister are somewhere safe and enriching every day after school.

Thank you again for your ongoing support of our kids!

Sincerely, Alice Agency Director

Sample Letter 2: Email Version

Thank you so much for your generous donation to XYZ Nonprofit! We truly appreciate your commitment to the kids in our community.

An example image that goes in a donation thank you letter. A group of kids plays tug of war.

Caption: In a recent all-city field day, the 4th graders at Blaine prevailed at tug-of-war against the 4th graders at McPherson. Thanks for pulling for everyone! 

With your help, we’ve provided after school care to 300 kids this year. They’re building healthy relationships with peers and adults, improving their grades, and having a great time in our after school programs at six sites around the city.

We couldn’t do it without you! Thank you.

Sample Letter 3: for In-Kind Donation

Kids will be happily snacking after school, thanks to your donation of six cases of graham crackers. Healthy eating is an important part of our after school routine, and we truly appreciate your support. Thank you!

I thought I’d share a couple quotes from the kids with you:

“Snack is my favorite part of XYZ Aftercare!”–Ramone, age 6

“I like snack time because I can talk to my friends and eat something yummy,”–Zara, age 8

“Snacks are important because I have a lot of homework and my brain needs FOOOOOOD,” Joey, age 9

As you can see, your contribution is very important to our most important people, the kids we serve. It’s important to me, too. Your ongoing commitment to our kids truly means the world, and we really couldn’t do it without you, Luis.

Nonprofit Thank You Letter Templates

When you’re ready to prepare your own thank you letters, start with one of our templates and customize them to fit your needs. The above samples were based on these very templates! Keep reading to see a preview of each template or  click here to download them .

Template 1: Long Version

A template donation thank you letter

Template 2: Email Version

An email template for a donation thank you letter

Template 3: for In-kind Donation

A template for an in-kind donation thank you letter

How to Distribute Your Thank You Letter

Thank you letters can be sent via email or postal mail. While the choice is up to you, there are a few things to consider regarding both options.

  • Can be delivered within minutes after the donor makes a gift
  • It’s faster, cheaper, and more environmentally friendly
  • You can embed links, photos, gifs, or even video
  • You won’t always have the donor’s email address
  • Some donors, especially older ones, don’t like to receive emails
  • There’s a good chance the email will never be opened
  • It’s less personal and isn’t appropriate for substantial donations

Postal mail:

  • Donors will definitely open it
  • It’s more personal and can be further personalized with a handwritten message in the margins
  • More expensive and time consuming to prepare
  • Less environmentally friendly
  • Can take a few days to reach the donor

Which one to choose:

If you’re not sure which option is best for you, consider following this guideline: do what the donor did — if they mailed in their donation, send them a physical thank you letter; if they gave  online , send them an email.

You can even take this one step further and ask your donors if they have a preference. Some will indicate that they don’t like receiving emails, so be sure to follow that request.

Some donors may indicate that they like receiving physical letters but can’t read your typical font size. In this case, take the time to print a special letter that’s easy for them to read.

For major donors and substantial gifts, always send a physical letter or even a handwritten note.

6 More Creative Ways to Thank Your Donors

Video:  Creating a  video  thank you letter can make a big impression on your donors, showing them you care and keeping them engaged with your cause. Even if it’s a simple video, shared with a broad donor audience, it shows effort. No high-production value needed here!

Text:  90-95% of people open a text within 3 minutes. If you have permission to text donors, sending a brief thank you note this way boosts the likelihood they’ll read it. It’s no substitute for a written letter, but it can be more immediate than an email (and serve the same purpose!)

Website:  Feature donors on your website, where they can find the latest updates about your campaigns and the impacts of their gift. Your website is a great place to put out a general thank you to donors, but you can also highlight individual stories and testimonials.

Gifts:  Want to really boost the impact of your thank you letter? Pair it with a thank you package, certificate, or swag. This is a powerful way to show that you appreciate your donor and want to build a lasting relationship.

Events:  What else can you include in your thank you letter? Use it to invite your donors to  upcoming events : whether it’s a tour of the site of their impact or a gala.

Anniversary:  Beyond an immediate thank you letter, you can also surprise major donors with a letter to celebrate their giving anniversary. Donors who have been around for a year—or several!—are incredibly important to your cause. Show them with a thank you letter they might not be expecting!

3 Tips for Perfecting Your Donor Thank You Letter

1. Prepare in advance.  Automation is your friend! Think through your donor journey ahead of time so you can prepare automated thank you notes when they contribute a gift. You can always add to it with a personal touch, but some preparation ensures your donors aren’t left in the dark.

2. Be flexible.  Just like there are different learning styles, there are different ways donors prefer to receive thank you messages. Create different types of thank you letters that suit your donors, whether that’s email, text, video or a physical note.  

3. Stay connected.  It’s so important to thank donors when they give! But what about what comes next? Keep them engaged with your mission and organization by regularly thanking donors for their support in your communications.

Thank Your Donors the Right Way

Sending a well crafted, personalized thank you letter to your donors is a simple gesture that can have a big impact on their experience and their relationship with your organization. When you take the time to write meaningful personal messages of gratitude, you nurture a community of donors that will continue to actively support your cause for years to come.

Read More:   Donor Relationships: Why You Should Treat Them Like a Marriage

If you’re curious about how to better manage your donor data so you can later use it to personalize thank you letters, you may be interested in membership management software like WildApricot. It works for both members and donors, so you can nurture your relationships and grow your community.

The best part about WildApricot is that you can also use it to build a custom website for your nonprofit and even create a donation page. When someone makes an online donation, their information will automatically get added to your database, so you never have to worry about missing data.

Click here  to learn more about WildApricot or  start a free 60 day trial today !

Start a free trial of WildApricot today. Click here

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Top 10 Donation Thank-You Letter Examples

Category: Thank Yous

Do you send  heartfelt thank -you letters  to donors of your cause or organization ? If so, you’ve come to the right place! Figuring out how to properly express donor appreciation can be challenging. This is especially true if you have a  lot of letters to send  and limited time to spend on creating them. Some good thank -you donation letter examples can help you get the job done faster, while still getting a sincere message across.

In this article, we’ll share several thank you for your donation examples to help you express your donor recognition quickly. We’ve also provided our top 10 donation thank -you letter examples to further guide your efforts. When you get to the end, you should be a thank -you letter -writing pro!

Whether you need some guidance for thanking  one donor or a thousand , this guide should have you covered. From templated examples to specific phrases to use, everything you need should be right here.

First, let’s explore why you should take thanking donors seriously. Keep reading to get started!

10 Short Thank You Message For Donation Examples

Thanks for specific donation, specific impact of donation, additional information or story (optional), repeated thanks, close with sender’s name.

  • 1. A Thank-You From an Organization to a Donor
  • 2. Another Organization-to-Donor Thank-You
  • 3. A Thank-You for a Recurring Donation
  • 4. Another Recurring Donation Thank-You Example
  • 5. A Thank-You for Attending an Event
  • 6. Another Thank-You for Attending an Event
  • 7. A Thank-You From One Person to Another
  • 8. Another Personal Thank-You Example
  • 9. A Personal Thank-You for a Non-Monetary Gift
  • 10. A Thank-You for Supporting a Crowdfunding Campaign

Unlimited More Ideas with Handwrytten’s AI Assist!

  • Send Your Thank-You Letters with Handwrytten!

Why Thank -You Letters for Donations Matter

Charities spend a lot of time trying to get donations, but the worst thing they can do afterward is forget to  thank their donors . For one thing, people who’ve donated in the past are highly likely to donate again, especially if they feel acknowledged for their contribution. For another, thanking the ones responsible for your organization ‘s success is simply the right thing to do.

If you receive a personal donation from a friend or family member, such as money for rent or a new car, it’s even more important to thank them properly. Even though you aren’t representing an organization in such a case, your personal integrity is on the line. Thanking people shows that you don’t take them or their generosity for granted. It should go without being said that thanking someone for a donation is extremely different than goodbye to a coworker or employee , so a basic thank-you template should be kept in mind.

Before we get a bit more granular on how to write longer donation thank-you notes, let’s start with a few examples of short messages.

  • “Your support means the world to us! Without it, we would not be able to have the impact we do on our community and world – thank you!”
  • “We are so grateful for your donation and for being a part of our cause. Your generosity inspires us every day!”
  • “Thank you for choosing to make a difference through your donation. We appreciate your support more than words can express.”
  • “From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your generous contribution. With supporters like you, we know we can achieve our goals.”
  • “We couldn’t do it without donors like you – thank you for believing in our mission and helping us make a positive impact.”
  • “Your contribution has made such a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve – thank you for your kindness and generosity.”
  • “Your donation shows that you truly care about our cause and the work we do. Thank you for your continued support!”
  • “Words cannot express how much your donation means to us. We are so grateful for your partnership in making a difference.”
  • “Thank you for being an important part of our organization and helping us create positive change in the world.”
  • “We are humbled by your generosity and thankful for your commitment to our cause. Your support makes a huge impact.”

You can use these as-is or customize them with specific details or anecdotes to make them more personal and heartfelt.

Now that you have some examples, let’s dive into more detailed thank-you messages!

Thank You For Your Donation Note Examples

Later in this article, we’ll give you some specific examples of appreciation letters for your generous donors. But first, let’s look at a basic letter template you can use to create your own.

Here’s how a basic thank -you letter should be set up:

  • Thanks for specific donation
  • Specific impact of donation
  • Additional information or story (optional)
  • Repeated thanks
  • Close with sender’s name

That list might be a little confusing at first. Here’s what it means in more detail:

Every letter starts in more or less the same way: probably with a “dear [recipient’s name],” or “hey [name]!”

The important thing is to make the salutation at the beginning feel warm and personal. Use the recipient’s first name unless your organization ‘s culture is more on the formal side.

The first thing you should do in the body of your thank -you letter is thank the donor !

Be as specific as possible in expressing your gratitude . Tell the recipient exactly what they’re being acknowledged for and what cause it’s going to support.

Next, go into more detail about the impact the donation will make for the organization and its cause. Be specific about who’s being helped and what’s being accomplished. This has the added bonus of reminding the donor  why they contributed in the first place, which may lead to a future donation .

If you have a little more space (or time) to write in, you might go into even more detail. Consider telling a specific story about a person or situation your organization stepped in to help. Describe how the donor ‘s contribution is making a difference in vivid terms.

This part isn’t complicated. Just say “ thank you ” again in closing. For example, “Thanks again for your support!”

Last but not least, you should sign off using your real name whenever possible. No one gets excited about receiving a letter from a faceless organization , no matter how much good they’re doing in the world. People like  hearing from other people , so conclude your letter with your name and role in the organization .

Of course, you may be needing to thank someone for a personal favor they did for you, rather than a donor to an organization you work for. Even so, the same steps here should work for you. Just remember to go into more detail and make it even more personal when thanking someone for a kind gesture; however, unless you are extremely familiar with them, don’t close with something as personal as ‘with love’ , and certainly do not phrase it as if you are saying goodbye to a coworker .

Make it personal when thanking someone for a kind gesture.

Top 10 Donor Thank -You Letter Examples

Now that you understand the importance of thank -you letters and you’ve explored a template for writing them, let’s get into some concrete examples. When reading these sample letters, replace the words in [brackets] with your own words that make sense for the situation.

1. A Thank -You From an Organization to a Donor

Dear [first name],

Thank you for being one of our top donors to our annual fundraiser for [your organization ‘s cause]. Your concern for [ organization ‘s goal] is above and beyond. Thanks to your continued support, we’ve been able to help [list who, what, or how your organization is helping].

Thank you again,

[Your name]

[Your role]

[Your organization ‘s name]

2. Another Organization -to- Donor Thank -You

Dear Mr./Mrs./Miss [name],

We truly can’t thank you enough for your generous gift to our building fund campaign . Your support will allow us to continue providing low-cost resources to the people in our community who need them most. People like you truly make a difference in the world, and we’re incredibly grateful!

Warm regards,

[Your organization ]

3. A Thank -You for a Recurring Donation

Hey [name],

I just wanted to reach out and personally thank you for being an ongoing monthly donor to [your organization ]. People like you are the reason we can continue supporting [your cause], and we truly can’t thank you enough.

4. Another Recurring Donation Thank -You Example

Dear Sir/Ma’am,

Thank you for your commitment to support [ organization ] on a monthly basis. Just this month alone, we’ve been able to [list how your organization has helped]. Thanks to your support, [people you help] will be able to continue to receive help from us.

Thank you ,

5. A Thank -You for Attending an Event

Dear [name],

Thank you for attending our recent silent auction fundraiser ! We hope you had a great time, and we truly appreciate your contribution. Thanks to you, we’ll be able to [how your organization intends to help].

Hoping to see you next year,

6. Another Thank -You for Attending an Event

We were delighted to have you attend this year’s event in support of [your cause]. Thank you very much for coming, and thank you especially for your generous donation to [ organization ].

7. A Thank -You From One Person to Another

Dear [person],

Thank you so much for helping me with my medical expenses. My recovery from the accident has been slow and costly, but thanks to your donation , I should have all the expenses paid by the end of the year!

I truly can’t thank you enough!

8. Another Personal Thank -You Example

Hey [person],

Thank you for paying my first and last month’s rent at the new apartment I moved into. It was very kind of you, and I feel truly blessed by your generosity . Now that I’m at my new job, I’ll be working on paying off my debts and building my savings. Thank you for helping me get this apartment without increasing my debt!

9. A Personal Thank -You for a Non-Monetary Gift

Thank you so much for giving me your old car! I was in quite a bind after mine was totaled in that accident. I feel so grateful to be able to get to work without paying for an expensive taxi. As you know, I’ve been struggling to get by, and your car is an enormous blessing.

Thank you !!

10. A Thank -You for Supporting a Crowdfunding Campaign

Thank you so much for giving to my GoFundMe campaign ! The last few months have been really tough as I’ve struggled to get by after my accident. I feel so blessed that so many people came together to support me when I needed it most. Thank you for playing such a big part in my financial recovery!

Warmest regards,

While we worked hard to provide you great letter copy above, everybody’s needs are different.  As such, we have created an AI Assistant tool that can write all of your thank you note copy for you ! This feature is provided at no fee, so please sign up for Handwrytten and try it today!

Send Your Thank -You Letters with Handwrytten!

Between our thank -you letter template and these top 10 thank -you letter examples, you should have everything you need to jumpstart your donor communication ! Whether you need to express your thanks to a single generous giver or  communicate to a group  of donors, writing a professional thank -you letter is the best way to do it.

Personalization is more than just addressing donors by their names. It’s about acknowledging their specific contributions and demonstrating that their support matters. So, handwritten notes for nonprofits plays a pivotal role in Donation Thank-You Letter campaigns. By sending personalized thank-you letters through direct mail, organizations can convey genuine appreciation to donors in a tangible and heartfelt manner. This approach fosters a stronger sense of connection, trust, and loyalty, ultimately enhancing the donor’s engagement and long-term support for the cause.

Writing your  letter is one thing, though. How should you send it, especially if you have a large group of people to thank ?

That’s where Handwrytten comes in. Our machines can automatically create authentic handwritten letters on your behalf for your donors.  Sign up here  to get started!

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Nonprofit Software | Keela

How to Express Gratitude: Tips and Techniques for Writing an Impactful Donor Thank You Letter  [+ FREE Templates]

thank you letter templates for nonprofits

Introduction

Gratitude and recognition are at the core of every strong relationship. That is no different from your nonprofit’s relationship with donors , sponsors, event attendees, and volunteers alike.

But, it’s not enough just to say “thank you” and have that suffice. You need to also communicate the impact of their contributions in a timely and personalized manner. This is why a well-articulated thank-you letter comes in handy.

Thank you letters serve as a perfect opportunity to show your appreciation for those who contribute to your organization’s success. These letters also give you the opportunity to engage and retain them long-term. Writing a thank you letter seems like an easy enough feat, but how that letter would be received by your recipients is all in the details.

This article outlines nonprofit thank-you letter best practices, explores why they are important for your organization’s continued success, and includes five customizable templates to help get you started. 

What is a Thank You Letter?

A thank you letter is a follow-up letter sent to someone who has contributed either time or money to your nonprofit organization. This is a great way to show gratitude and serves as a touchpoint for you to encourage them to continue supporting your organization long-term. 

Failure to acknowledge a generous donation or time spent volunteering for your organization may give the impression that you’re ungrateful and cause donors to forget about your nonprofit altogether.

80% of donors who only made a one-time donation expressed that they would have made a second donation if they had received follow-up communication thanking them for their contribution and outlining their donation’s impact. Considering the high cost of acquiring new donors, stewarding your existing donors with a thank-you letter is necessary for continued fundraising success.

If you’re having trouble finding the time to send thank you messages to your donor, there are tools available, such as Keela Automation that can help streamline this work so that your donors never go unthanked!

An example of a donor thank you letter

The Impact of Thank You Letters

Let’s delve into the positive impact that thank you letters have on donors, sponsors, volunteers , and event attendees, while emphasizing the potential long-term benefits of expressing gratitude and its role in donor retention.

Recognition and Appreciation

Nothing compares to the feeling of being recognized and appreciated for your efforts. Whether you’ve donated money, sponsored an event, or volunteered your time, receiving a heartfelt thank you letter can create a lasting impression. It demonstrates that your contribution was not only noticed but also valued. A well-crafted thank you letter conveys genuine gratitude, making the recipient feel acknowledged and appreciated for their support.

Building Relationships

Thank you letters serve as a bridge between the recipient and the organization or cause they’ve supported. By sending a personalized note, you create an opportunity to establish a deeper connection. Sharing stories of how their contribution made a difference, expressing gratitude for their specific involvement, and even inviting them to future events or volunteer opportunities can help nurture a stronger relationship. This personal touch strengthens the bond between the donor, sponsor, volunteer, or attendee and the organization, increasing the likelihood of continued support in the long run.

Enhancing Donor Retention

Donor retention is a critical aspect of any organization’s sustainability and growth. Expressing gratitude through thank you letters significantly contributes to donor retention efforts. Research has shown that donors who receive a prompt and personalized thank you letter are more likely to continue their support and make future contributions. By demonstrating appreciation for their past support, you build trust and goodwill, making donors feel valued as an integral part of the organization’s mission. As a result, they are more inclined to maintain their commitment and contribute again in the future.

Amplifying Word-of-Mouth

Thank you letters have a ripple effect that goes beyond the recipient. When donors, sponsors, volunteers, or attendees receive a thoughtful thank you letter, they are more likely to share their positive experience with others. Word-of-mouth is a powerful marketing tool, and by expressing gratitude, you encourage recipients to become brand advocates. They may talk about their involvement and your organization to their friends, family, colleagues, and social media networks, ultimately amplifying your reach and potentially attracting new supporters.

Inspiring Continued Engagement

Thank you letters can serve as catalysts for continued engagement. By expressing gratitude and highlighting the impact of the recipient’s contribution, you inspire them to stay involved. Whether it’s attending future events, considering additional donations, or volunteering their time, recipients are more likely to remain engaged when they understand the significance of their past involvement. Furthermore, thank you letters can also act as a gentle reminder of ongoing opportunities for support, keeping your cause fresh in their minds.

The cover page of the "Thank You Guide for Nonprofits"

Get Started with Thank You Letter Templates!

We know creating a thank you letter, or email from scratch can be a challenge. We create a guide and 7 customizable templates to thank donors, volunteers, sponsors, and more!

How To Write The Perfect Donation Thank You Letter

Let’s explore how to write your donor thank you letter’s introduction, body, and conclusion. 

1. The introduction

Introductions are one of the most vital pieces of your letter as this is the first impression that your audience will have of your organization. While a two to three-line paragraph seems simple enough, the execution is what will keep your readers invested.

Your introduction should always start with a personalized acknowledgment and gratitude for their contribution to your organization. If you are thanking a donor, it is also important to include their donation amount. This adds a personal touch to your letter and reminds the recipient of how much they gave before.   Keela’s email marketing feature has the ability to personalize each email and pull in information such as donor name, donation amount, and organization name to take care of this for you!

Finish off your introduction with two to three sentences outlining the vital work that your organization does within your community.

2. The body

This is the largest portion of your thank you letter and one that is dedicated to your supporters. In your introduction, you should have already touched on the work your organization does within your community, so the body of your letter should be dedicated to your supporters and how you can deepen your relationship with them. 

The body of your thank you letter emphasizes how the supporters’ time or money was used. This is a good way to build trust while also garnering an emotional connection to your organization’s mission. When outlining donors’ impact, get specific; donors want to know exactly where their time and money are going!

Here are a few ways that you can achieve this:

  • Include a picture and a short impact story about how their donation helped a specific person
  • Outline what items your organization purchased with their money and who it went to
  • Share success stories of people that your organization has helped

thank you for your donation speech

Communicate your impact with this FREE Storytelling Toolkit.

Use this toolkit to discover the key elements of a good impact story and learn how to create yours. Plus, you will get access to a template so you can get a head start.

3. The conclusion

Last but certainly not least is your conclusion. This is important because this is where you include your call-to-action . You don’t want to explicitly ask for another donation, as that can leave donors feeling as though you’re not actually invested in building a meaningful relationship. 

Instead, use this last paragraph of your thank you letter to encourage donors to get involved with your organization. Since they donated their time or money to your organization at least once, they likely already have an emotional connection to your mission. Now is the time to invite them into your community . You can invite them to join your monthly giving program or your next fundraising event . 

Remember: the goal of your donor thank letter should be to remind donors of the value of their contribution and encourage them to keep supporting your cause.

Nonprofit Thank You Letter Writing Tips and Best Practices

When writing thank you letters, it’s important to be genuine and thoughtful. This step is a vital part of donor retention .

You want to be personal with your outreach initiatives. So the more catered your messages are, the better. This is the reason that a lot of fundraisers tend to stay away from templates. But we think this is a bit of a flaw—templates help to organize your ideas in a logical flow.

Before we discuss the structure of your thank you letter, let’s first look at seven nonprofit thank you letter best practices to keep in mind throughout the process. 

1. Send your letter as soon as possible

A timely response is an important part of supporter recognition. Donors, sponsors, and volunteers wish to be thanked for their contributions, and expressing your appreciation goes a long way in maintaining the relationship . Considering many people also forget they may have contributed, it’s important that you say thank you while it’s still fresh in their minds. The sooner your team can reach out, the better. 

2. Consider the format

Understand your audience. If you have an older demographic of supporters, sending a physical letter through the mail might be better. However, if you have a younger demographic of supporters, you might want to send an email and can also get more creative by including a video. This will increase the likelihood that your supporters will actually receive the message and that it will resonate with them. Especially because contacting donors on their preferred medium contributes to i ncreased donor retention rates . 

If you are going to be thanking your donors with a physical letter, ensure that your CRM has the ability to do as much as the heavy lifting as possible, like Keela !

Never Miss an Opportunity to Steward Your Donors with Keela!

Get a glimpse of how Keela’s email marketing and automation tools can help you to build and send engaging emails and thank you letters to your donors and supporters.

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3. Take the tone of voice into account

When writing thank you letters, it’s important to be genuine and thoughtful. Many organizations make the mistake of sounding stiff when corresponding with their donors. While that writing style may work across your social channels or marketing assets, it’s important to remember that this is a personalized conversation with a real human! 

Take the time to personalize your message as much as possible, and don’t be afraid to be down-to-earth and lighthearted. You want readers to know they are a part of your community and akin to a friend. Treat your thank you letter as you would telling a close friend that you appreciate their help.

4. Be concise and clear

Let the focus of your message be strictly about thanking them for their contribution. Avoid strong and aggressive calls-to-action which can make your gratitude seem disingenuous.

5. Proofread your work

Every touchpoint a supporter has with your organization is an opportunity to demonstrate your dedication to the cause. Your messaging should be professional and free of grammar or spelling mistakes , especially when spelling the supporter’s name!

6. Don’t ask for money

As discussed above, refrain from asking for money in your thank you letter. Doing so takes away from the intention of the letter, which was to express gratitude. This can give the impression that you weren’t sincere in your previous messaging and that you have ulterior motives. 

7. Share the impact

The main focus of a thank-you letter is to express gratitude, so naturally, it’s important to show the positive impact they have made on your organization and the community around it. This is why they donate their hard-earned money. Since nonprofit organizations are generally struggling to keep donors’ trust nowadays, promoting transparency is important every step of the way.

Personalization and Customization Techniques

Personalizing these letters is key to creating a lasting impact. Let’s explore strategies for tailoring thank you letters, reflecting specific contributions, incorporating personal anecdotes, sharing project outcomes, and referencing past involvement.

Reflect the Donor’s Contribution: Acknowledge and appreciate the donor’s specific contribution—monetary, in-kind, or volunteer work. Customize your message to highlight its significance and how it impacts your organization’s mission.

Incorporate Personal Anecdotes: Make the letter relatable by sharing personal anecdotes. Connect the donor’s action to a real-life experience, illustrating the impact of their support.

Share Project Outcomes: Highlight specific project outcomes to demonstrate the tangible results of the donor’s support. Showcase the positive change their contribution has made.

Reference Past Involvement: Recognize any past involvement the donor has had with your organization. Show appreciation for their loyalty and encourage continued support.

Nonprofit Thank You Letter Outlines and Templates

Now that we have covered tips and best practices, we can begin writing your thank you letter. Below you will find outlines tailored for different supporters, from donors to volunteers, each with a corresponding template. The templates are free and customizable, so you can easily create your perfect thank you letter.

1. Thank You Letter for Donors

This letter thanks donors for their monetary contribution to your organization. You should outline exactly how their money was spent and the impact that long-term support can have on your organization and its community.

Here’s how you should structure your Thank You Letter for Donors:

  • Salutation:  Unless your donor has insisted otherwise, address them by name to continue nurturing a lasting relationship with the individual.
  • Introduction:  Start by thanking the donor for their contribution. Take this as an opportunity to be very specific about your gift. This helps to personalize the letter. If there was a specific campaign or impact area that the donor contributed to, you could mention it here.
  • Body Paragraph 1 : Use this paragraph to discuss what this gift will do. For instance, do you have giving categories that provide a breakdown of what each amount will achieve? Is your project closer to completion because of the contribution? Do you know how many people will be positively impacted by this donation? Sharing these numbers and details fosters a connection between the donor and your work, leading to future gifts of support. 
  • Body Paragraph 2 : Here’s your chance to talk more broadly about your organization’s work and mission. This is a great place to detail how your donor’s contribution actually helps accomplish the organization’s larger mission.
  • Conclusion:  Thank your donor one final time. There’s no such thing as ‘over-thanking’ here. Let them know that they are important to the mission, and tell them what will happen next with your relationship. Will they receive more information? Will they get progress reports? Detail those points in your conclusion.
  • Signature:  It’s important to have a handwritten signature at the bottom of your letter, ideally by a leader within your organization. This gesture further demonstrates your gratitude and creates a human connection.

Donor Thank You Letter Template

Hi Samantha,

Thank you SO MUCH for your generous donation of $250 to the Seed Library Initiative! Donors like you help keep our mission of feeding our community’s most vulnerable neighbors alive.

Because of your $250 donation, we will be able to bring in 50 new types of plants into our community garden. Each of these plants should be able to feed a family of four. So, your donation is actually helping to impact the lives of 200 people!

Because of you, these individuals have access to food security locally.

Take Michelle, a young woman who lives in Vancouver, Canada. Michelle lost her job last year and has struggled to buy food for herself and her child. Thanks to your support, she gets a bag of fresh fruits and vegetables every week. On top of that, she found a new purpose in life: gardening! Michelle is now a proud member of our gardening team and couldn’t be happier.

Thank you once again for your generous contribution. We will send you updates over the next few months so that you know exactly what is happening with your donation and the impact that we have been able to create together.

With all my gratitude,

Sarah Craigen

Executive Director

2. Thank You Letter for Sponsors

This letter thanks your sponsors for their support in promoting or funding your event. You will want to outline what a large impact their involvement had in the success of your fundraising efforts and how appreciative you are for their continued support.

Here’s how you should structure your Thank You Letter for Sponsors:

  • Salutation:  Address this letter to the individual you have worked with to secure the sponsorship. This personalized greeting will mean a lot to the sponsor.
  • Introduction: Begin by thanking the sponsor for their specific contribution. Also, mention if there was a specific event that the sponsorship supported.
  • Body Paragraph 1:  Tell the sponsor what impact they have made through their sponsorship. Successful sponsorship often revolves around ROI or return on investment. This can come in the form of impact, reach, and dollars raised — the list is endless. Clearly, recounting the sponsorship’s positive effects boosts trust and demonstrates what is possible with future sponsorships.
  • Body Paragraph 2:  Talk more broadly about your organization’s work and mission. This is a great time to share how your sponsor’s contribution helps accomplish the organization’s larger mission.
  • Conclusion : Thank them again. Let them know that they are important to the work, moving forward, and tell them what will happen next with your relationship. 
  • Signature:  A founder, director, or board member signature is always best for a sponsor thank you letter. 

Sponsorship Thank You Letter Template

I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you for the support you provided to our Plant Sale fundraiser on Earth Day.

Your contribution was crucial to the success of the event. You helped us gather almost 2,000 plants and seeds from local farmers—all of which were sold as part of our fundraiser.

In total, we raised $16,300. A huge success!

Here’s what a donor said about the event: “It is important for our family to make a difference in our local community. Your organization is making a tremendous impact on so many people while teaching us how to adopt an environmentally-friendly lifestyle. Thank you for organizing such a great event! We’ll come again.”

This year, we aim to feed over 100,000 people across the region, and your support is helping us achieve this goal.

We plan to organize more events of this kind in the future and eagerly await the opportunity to partner together again and further our relationship.

3. Thank You Letter for Volunteers

Volunteers donate one of their most precious assets: time. Having people contribute their time to your organization to ensure your fundraising efforts are a success is a huge contribution! This letter should serve as a thank you for their time and the impact that had on your organization. You can also outline the resources that you were able to redirect back into your funding in place of their efforts. 

Here’s how to structure your Thank You Letter for Volunteers:

  • Salutation:  Volunteers are the backbone of every nonprofit, so addressing each volunteer personally by name is important. Feeling appreciated will inspire volunteers to help in the future. 
  • Introduction:  Start by thanking the volunteer for their specific contribution. Speak to the amount of time they have dedicated to the cause and the programs they have volunteered with.
  • Body Paragraph 1:  Share the impact they have had during their volunteer time. Have you been tracking metrics? Did they help you achieve a very important goal? Talk about those metrics and achievements here to tailor this message. 
  • Body Paragraph 2:  Express the importance of volunteering to your organization’s work, pointing out the volunteer’s role in your organization’s overall mission and vision for the community.
  • Conclusion:  Thank your volunteers one final time. Invite them to be part of your organization as a volunteer, moving forward. Let them know how important they are to you and that you want them to stay involved.
  • Signature: Typically, we recommend a founder, board member, or leader sign a thank you letter; however, in this case, it may mean more to the volunteer if the person working closest with the volunteer or the program director signed this particular letter. 

Volunteer Thank You Letter

It was a pleasure to have you at our Plant Sale Fundraiser on Earth Day.

Our community really appreciated the event and it was only possible because of you. Your efforts helped us raise $16,300. A huge success!

Your idea to partner with local gardeners and have them share their expertise is a big part of what made this event successful.

All the organizing team appreciates the energy and passion you gave to our event.

Thank you so much for sharing your time and ideas.

I look forward to seeing you again and especially at our next event.

Volunteer Manager

4. Thank You Letter for Event Attendees

Nonprofit events can be very overstimulating for some donors and supporters; they can take up a large amount of time for attendees and be a one-and-done affair. Promptly following up with attendees after an event can serve as a touchpoint and opportunity for you to remind them of the topics discussed, thank them for contributing to your event’s success and encourage them to keep supporting your mission long term.

Here’s how you can structure your Thank You Letter for Event Attendees:

  • Salutation: Events can be tricky because you might not have had the chance to meet everyone and build a personal relationship. We would still use this as an opportunity to address individuals by their first names. This makes it more personal, even if you missed that chance at the event.
  • Introduction : Thank the event attendee for coming to your event. Be sure to reference the event’s name, so the recipient knows exactly what this is referring to.
  • Body Paragraph : Talk about some highlights from the event and mention any positive outcomes. Was there a fundraising goal that you hit? Were there any special prizes given out? Talk about those here.
  • Conclusion : Thank your attendee again. Conclude with some follow-up items, if you have any, such as photos or videos from the event, links to a survey, etc.
  • Signature: The main organizer of the event should sign off here. You can also ask someone higher up in your organization to do the sign-off to make the recipient feel a bit more important.

Event Attendance Thank You Letter

I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you for attending our annual gala.

It was a massive success, and your support means a lot to me.

The gala helped us raise $22,000. This money will be put towards our mission—making food accessible for those who need it.

This year, we aim to feed over 100,000 people, and your participation is helping us provide assistance to entire communities.

I invite you to take a look at the photos of the event.

Once again, thank you so much. Grandview Heights Community Garden could not do what it does without the generous support of a caring community.

May you have a happy and prosperous year.

Sarah Craigen,

Innovative Thank You Approaches

Nonprofits have taken gratitude to new heights, moving beyond traditional thank you letters. They now employ innovative approaches to express appreciation, such as personalized videos, handwritten notes, and small tokens of appreciation. These methods leave a lasting impression, reinforcing the connection between the organization and its donors.

1. Personalized Videos:

Bringing Gratitude to Life Personalized videos create a genuine connection with donors, featuring heartfelt thanks and impactful stories. This multimedia approach evokes emotions , leaving a memorable impact and strengthening the donor’s bond with the organization.

2. Handwritten Notes:

Authenticity in Communication The personal touch of a handwritten note goes a long way in conveying authenticity and appreciation. Nonprofits understand the power of a heartfelt message sent by mail, fostering a deeper connection with donors and making them feel valued.

3. Small Tokens of Appreciation:

Making a Lasting Impression Nonprofits utilize small tokens of appreciation , like customized items or branded merchandise, to provide a tangible reminder of support. These gestures create a sense of belonging and serve as conversation starters, spreading awareness of the organization’s mission.

4. Memorable Experiences:

Connecting on a Deeper Level Innovative nonprofits go beyond the ordinary by offering exclusive events and immersive experiences. Donors get the opportunity to witness the impact of their contributions firsthand, fostering a stronger bond with the organization and inspiring continued support.

The Role of Thank You Letters in Donor Stewardship

Donor stewardship plays a pivotal role in nurturing relationships and ensuring long-term support. Amidst various strategies, one often underestimated yet highly effective tool is the humble thank you letter. Let’s delve into the significant role thank you letters play in donor stewardship, highlighting how they can serve as the foundation for ongoing engagement and provide valuable tips on leveraging these letters to foster deeper connections with donors.

Understanding the Broader Strategy :

At its core, donor stewardship aims to build strong, lasting relationships with supporters. It involves a thoughtful and strategic approach to donor care, ensuring that contributors feel valued and appreciated for their generosity. Thank you letters serve as an integral part of this broader strategy by expressing gratitude, recognizing the impact of the donor’s gift, and reinforcing their connection to the cause.

The Foundation for Ongoing Engagement:

Thank you letters serve as the cornerstone for ongoing donor engagement. They go beyond a mere acknowledgement of a donation; they offer an opportunity to educate, inspire, and build rapport with donors. By crafting personalized and meaningful thank you letters, organizations can foster a sense of belonging and loyalty, encouraging donors to become more deeply invested in the cause.

Tips for Leveraging Thank You Letters:

  • Promptness and Personalization: Send thank you letters promptly after receiving a donation to convey a sense of urgency and appreciation. Personalize each letter to acknowledge the donor’s specific contribution, mentioning the impact their gift will have on the organization’s mission.
  • Express Genuine Gratitude: Use heartfelt language to convey sincere appreciation. Share specific examples of how the donor’s support will make a difference, emphasizing the role they play in achieving the organization’s goals. Authenticity is key in fostering a genuine connection.
  • Share Success Stories: Include compelling stories that illustrate the impact of the donor’s generosity. Highlight the stories of beneficiaries or showcase successful projects that the organization has undertaken. This not only reinforces the donor’s belief in the cause but also gives them a sense of pride in their involvement.
  • Invitation to Further Engagement: Use thank you letters as an opportunity to invite donors to become more involved. Offer avenues for deeper engagement, such as volunteering, attending events, or joining a donor advisory group. This opens the door for future interactions and demonstrates a genuine interest in building a lasting relationship.
  • Follow-Up Communications: View the thank you letter as just the beginning of an ongoing conversation. Plan subsequent touchpoints, such as email newsletters , impact reports, or invitations to exclusive donor events. Regular communication helps to keep donors informed and engaged, reinforcing their commitment to the cause.

Measuring the Impact of Thank You Letters

Let’s explore the significance of tracking and analyzing data and introduce key metrics and tools to evaluate the impact of your thank you letter efforts.

Importance of Tracking and Analyzing Data:

In the ever-evolving landscape of nonprofit fundraising, data is the backbone of informed decision-making. Tracking and analyzing data related to thank you letters offer valuable insights into your organization’s donor relations and can help you continuously improve your strategies. By harnessing the power of data, you can enhance donor satisfaction, boost engagement, and foster long-term relationships.

Metrics for Evaluating Thank You Letter Impact:

  • Donor Response Rate: The donor response rate measures the percentage of donors who respond to your thank you letters. A higher response rate indicates that your letters have resonated with recipients and have effectively conveyed your appreciation. Tracking this metric over time allows you to identify trends and refine your thank you letter approach accordingly.
  • Donor Engagement: Thank you letters can serve as a catalyst for donor engagement. Monitoring the level of subsequent interactions, such as subsequent donations, volunteer involvement, or event attendance, can provide insights into the impact of your thank you letters on donor engagement. Analyzing these engagement metrics helps you identify the effectiveness of your letter in fostering ongoing connections and inspiring continued support.
  • Retention Rate: Retaining donors is vital for the sustainability of any nonprofit organization. A strong thank you letter strategy can significantly influence donor retention. By tracking the retention rate of donors who have received thank you letters compared to those who haven’t, you can assess the impact of your gratitude efforts. Analyzing the reasons behind donor attrition and identifying trends can lead to targeted improvements in your thank you letter content and delivery.

How Nonprofits Use Keela to Send Thank You Messages to Donors

Nonprofit technology is vital for modern nonprofits, especially nonprofits that want to make data-driven decisions . And there are a few ways that technology can help you thank your donors better.

1. Segment Donors using Smart Lists

Using Keela’s CRM software , you can create donor segments based on their contributions to your organization. You can use timely parameters such as: given in the last month, six months from their last gift, and one year from their last gift. 

Using these three lists, you can properly segment your donors and tailor your thank you letters to their unique relationship with your organization. 

For donors who gave in the last month:

Focus your messaging on the immediacy of donors’ gifts and how they will contribute to your most recent appeals and initiatives. 

For donors who gave their last gift six months ago:

Focus your messaging on donors’ impact. Talk about what has happened within your organization since they donated. You will garner donors’ continued support if they feel connected to your cause and know exactly where their hard-earned money is going. But, don’t forget to thank them for their gift—even if you already did after receiving it. The impact that you’re reporting on is a direct outcome of these donors’ contributions. 

If they made a donation online, make sure that your online donation form includes impact areas, like Keela’s forms . This will help you understand the specific areas of interest of each donor and allows you to customize your thank you email.  

For donors who gave their last gift a year ago:

Focus your messaging on your mission. Talk about what drives your organization and your long-term goals . Helping your donors—especially those from a year ago—understand your organization’s long-term vision will help connect them back to your nonprofit in a tangible way. Thank them for their support in furthering your mission, and invite them to be a part of the impact moving forward. A well-timed thank you might be the best way to re-engage a lapsed donor .

2. Show Donors the Impact of their Contributions

Donors are motivated by your organization’s core mission. They believe in your mission enough to donate their time and money to your cause and want to see you succeed. They are the backbone of your success and want to know that their time and money are being spent wisely. Always make sure that your communications with your donors lead with transparency and authenticity in mind.

You can do this by always personalizing your communications, sending timely messages, and showing genuine gratitude for donors’ contributions to your organization.

Sending well-curated and personalized thank you letters to your donors, sponsors, volunteers, and event attendees will help you nurture these relationships and hopefully retain their support long-term. Share the tips, best practices, and templates from this article with your team and show donors the gratitude they deserve. 

Thank You For Your Donation Notes: Examples, Tips & Templates

When an individual makes a donation to an organization or another individual, it’s important to send a thank you for your donation note. Acknowledging the effort, regardless of how small or large, is an important part of this exchange. If you’re unsure what to say in your thank you for your donation letter, you’re not alone. It can be a little odd writing this type of thank you note, but it doesn’t have to be. Everything you need to know before getting started is here in one neat little package — including: tips, examples, and the importance of writing thank you for your donation letters.

thank you for your donation speech

Why thank you for your donation notes matter.

Making donations is often as much, if not more, about the emotional element as it is about receiving tax benefits. The thank you for your donation letter is part of this exchange and should be thought of as a non-negotiable step in your fundraising efforts. 

thank you for your donation speech

The same way a regular thank you note is an opportunity to extend the length of the connection with the recipient, sending thank you for your donation notes is a chance to deepen what starts out as a superficial relationship. The result may very well be a repeat donor or even a far more valuable partner for your organization in the long term.

Donation thank you from an organization template

If your organization has received funds or any other kind of support, we’ve got a series of thank you for your donation letter examples you can use to send your own note. 

Send customized thank you notes in minutes. Postable will print, address, and mail them for you. Use code THNKS and get 20% off.

A simple template any organization can use to acknowledge a donation:

Dear [NAME],

Thank you for donating to [YOUR ORGANIZATION]. Because of your generosity, we were able to [WHAT DID THE MONEY DO]. With your help, we will continue to [WHAT SERVICE DO YOU PROVIDE AND TO WHOM]. 

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact [PHONE OR EMAIL].

In gratitude,

thank you for your donation speech

Thank you for your donation from an organization: message examples

So you can see the template working it’s magic within the context of different types of donations, we’ve compiled this list of example thank you for your donation letters. 

Dear Jonathon, Thank you for donating to the John Mathews Scholarship Fund. Because of your generosity, we are now able to offer scholarships to three deserving students that we would otherwise not be able to assist. With your help, we will continue to expand educational opportunities to underprivileged communities.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 718-395-1023. In gratitude, Max Schepfield John Mathews Scholarship Fund Operations Director

thank you for your donation speech

Dear Maxine,  Thank you for your donation to the Tracy Lee Box-Theatre. Your generous donation has been allocated to this summer’s Kids Stage Production of Judy Moody & Stink! Please accept this complimentary ticket as a heartfelt thank you for helping us make our kids’ stage dreams come true.  Sincerely, Wendalyn Grothe  Theatre Director
Dear Loralie and Ken, Thank you for your generous donation to our Annual Academy of Sciences Fundraiser. Your contribution will play a large role in helping us achieve our goal of acquiring new state of the art telescopic equipment for the astronomy department. And we are thrilled to announce that we’re 98% of the way to reaching our goal, thanks to you! Thanks again, Leslie Triche AOS Director
Dear Mike, Thank you for the monthly $50 donation you generously made this April to Planned Parenthood of Greater Orlando. Your monthly contributions have been essential to our mission of making healthcare accessible to all women regardless of fiscal status. As a PP volunteer, I believe strongly in this mission and am grateful to donors like you for making it possible.  In gratitude, Michelle V. PP Volunteer

Donation thank you from person to person template

Donations aren’t always directed at institutions or organizations. If you’re in the position of having been given a donation of any kind — think beyond just monetary donations — then you should consider sending a thank you for your donation letter. Even if you don’t expect to need another donation in the future, simply acknowledging a helping hand when you needed one is a practice worth developing. 

A simple template an individual can use to acknowledge a donation:

Dear [PERSON’S NAME],

Thank you for contributing to [WHATEVER YOU NEEDED THE MONEY/ITEM FOR]. Because of your generous donation I was able to [HOW DID THE MONEY/ITEM HELP]. [EXPAND FURTHER WITH A SENTENCE OR TWO.]

Thanks again, 

[YOUR NAME]

thank you for your donation speech

Thank you for your donation from a person: message examples

Since there is more variety among individuals than there are among organizations, these types of thank you for your donation letters can look wildly different. 

Dear Carey,  Thank you so much for donating your time to help Christopher grasp the nuances of physics this last semester. Because of your generosity, he has gained confidence as well as an A in the class. His physics project has even been accepted into the science fair. These accomplishments would not be possible without the donation of your time. In gratitude,  A very thankful dad. 

thank you for your donation speech

Dear Jack,  Thank you for your donation to my surgery fund. I am expected to have a full recovery, thanks to your generosity. I’ve been in recovery mode for a few weeks and am looking forward to returning to school in the fall. This whole process would have been so much more difficult and stressful without your help; thank you. In gratitude, Megan
Dear Carole,  I wanted to personally thank you for your generous donation to my campaign for Pawnee City Council Member. With your help, we were able to reach brand new voters and raise awareness of our progressive platform. Thank you for supporting my bid for city council and your engagement in this entire movement.  Sincerely,  Leanne Roger City Council Candidate District 7

thank you for your donation speech

Tips for your donation note or letter

As you get ready to write your thank you for your donation note or letter, there are a few things we’d suggest you keep in mind. This list of tips, like any other, is meant to help guide you so feel free to take what works and leave what doesn’t. Every organization, individual, and situation is different and the donation appreciation will likewise vary. 

Use the donor’s name!

  • Personalize it

Share the impact the donation made

It’s all about the donor, send it in a timely manner, send the note from an individual, provide contact information.

  • Don’t ask for more

For the love of all thank you notes, do not start your message with ‘Dear Friend’ –– your recipient will immediately know this is a template without a lick of real meaning. Make sure to include each individual donor’s name. If the donation was made in a family name, then the family name should be addressed (ex. ‘Dear Johnsons’).

Pro tip: Postable’s Carbon Copy tool allows you to create a master message and apply it to as many recipients as needed while automatically customizing each person’s name in the salutation. You can also go in and customize each note further to include specific details about the donation. 

thank you for your donation speech

Personalize your donation note

Donors will often receive a thank you for your donation note that sounds like it was written by a robot. Don’t let that be you. 

Keep track of their involvement. If the donor has made previous contributions, make sure you take note of that by denoting the number of years they’ve supported you. Any such personal details will help make your thank you note personable and meaningful so that it has an actual impact. 

Let your donor know how their donation made a difference. As you saw in the examples above, each note addressed how the donation was used and what that meant to the organization or individual. There’s no need to exaggerate or stretch the truth, but letting the donor in on the nuts and bolts of their contribution allows them to have a better connection with your organization and their good deed. 

You can simply mention the impact within your message or you can show them by using an image as a photo on the front of the card.

thank you for your donation speech

As with all good thank you notes, make sure your message is sincere and honest. Don’t go overboard profusely thanking your donors as if they ended world hunger. Unless of course… They ended world hunger. Be sincere in your gratitude and your message will read authentic, helping you to create a connection with your recipient. 

Speaking of the donor… Focus more on them rather than what you or your organization does by using ‘you’ more than we/us. 

  • “Because of you”
  • “Your contribution”
  • “Thanks to your generosity”
  • “You made it happen.”
  • “We couldn’t do it without you.”

Be sure to mail the card within 42-78 hours of receiving the donation. The last thing you want is to have your donor accidentally get hit up again for another donation without at least receiving gratitude for their first donation.

When the donation was made, the donor likely experienced all the good warm fuzzy feelings that are associated with giving . The thank you for your donation note will help make this warm fuzzy feeling last longer. 

If you’re an organization, you should still consider writing the thank you message from an individual at the organization. Typically this will come from a director or someone at the top, but it may also be valuable to have the card come from someone like a volunteer or staff member. It’s easy to forget that organizations are made up full of passionate people trying to make a difference.

Send beautiful thank you notes in minutes. Postable will print, address, and mail them for you.

End your thank you for your donation note with some form of contact information. You’ll want this info to be specific –– like a phone number or an email–– and not just the general website. 

Don’t ask for more in your thank you for your donation note

Remember, this note is all about gratitude so don’t ruin it by asking for more donations. You’ll have plenty of other opportunities for this, but these won’t matter if your thank you notes feel inauthentic and under-appreciative. 

Send professional thank you notes in minutes. Postable will print, address, and mail them for you.

thank you for your donation speech

     Top fundraisers

thank you for your donation speech

Write a Donation Thank-You Note

Write a Donation Thank-You Note

When someone contributes, especially major donors, they're not just offering funds but are sharing a heartfelt commitment. Expressing gratitude through a thank-you letter isn't merely a customary act; it's fundamental in solidifying the bond with your donor. A meticulously crafted donation letter can transform a one-time contributor into a committed ally. Especially in fundraising efforts, a sincere thank you can elevate a first-time giver to a devoted supporter. It's essential not just to highlight donors in your thank-you notes but to recognize their vital role in driving change. Ultimately, it's less about the formality and more about fostering enduring relationships anchored in gratitude.

thank you for your donation speech

Benefits of Donation Thank You Notes

1. building and maintaining lasting donor relationships.

In the world of philanthropy, relationships matter profoundly. A thank-you note is not just a gesture of appreciation but a touchpoint that cements the bond between a donor and an organization or cause. By acknowledging a donor's contribution in a personal and meaningful way, these notes foster a sense of belonging and trust. This loyalty isn't just fleeting; it paves the way for an enduring relationship that can span years or even a lifetime.

2. Encouraging Repeat Donations and Ongoing Support

While the altruistic essence of giving is pure, positive reinforcement in the form of heartfelt gratitude can act as a catalyst for future generosity. Thank-you letters remind donors of the good they have accomplished, serving as a beacon that illuminates the path for further contributions. By recognizing and valuing every gift, no matter its size, thank-you notes encourage donors to continue their support, thereby amplifying the cumulative impact over time.

3. Reflecting the Professionalism and Values

Every touchpoint with a donor is an opportunity to showcase the integrity, ethos, and professionalism of the organization or individual. A well-crafted thank-you note does precisely that. By taking the time to convey gratitude methodically and genuinely, it sends a clear message about the values upheld by the sender. This, in turn, bolsters the donor's confidence and trust in the organization or initiative they're supporting.

4. Enhancing Donor's Emotional Connection

The heart often leads the way in matters of giving. A thank you note can further fuel this emotional journey. By drawing attention to real-world impacts, sharing success stories, or even articulating future visions, a thank-you note can emotionally anchor a donor to the cause. This deepened connection transcends transactional interactions, molding a bond rooted in shared passion and purpose.

5. Boosting Donor Retention

Retention is as crucial as acquisition in the fundraising world. While acquiring a new donor is an achievement, retaining them is a testament to sustained trust and engagement. Thank-you notes play a pivotal role in this retention strategy. By consistently recognizing and valuing donors, these notes fortify the commitment of recurring donors to the cause, ensuring they remain active contributors. In doing so, they help combat donor attrition, securing a stable and growing base of supporters.

thank you for your donation speech

Key Elements of an Effective Donation Thank You Note

1. personalized appreciation.

The power of a thank-you letter lies not in its mere existence but in its personal touch.

Make It Personal:

When someone chooses to donate, it's a testament to their trust in your cause or personal need. Recognizing this trust by using the donor's name is an elementary yet powerful gesture. It speaks directly to the donor, ensuring they know their generosity hasn't gone unnoticed. Moreover, referencing the specific gift they've given – be it a monetary donation amount, items, or their time – makes your gratitude uniquely tailored to them. It subtly communicates, "I see what you did for us, and I cherish it."

However, while templates can provide a helpful structure, relying solely on them can detract from the sincerity of your message. It's easy to spot a generic thank you that's been copied and pasted without much thought. Instead, use templates as a guide but infuse your message with genuine sentiments that echo the unique relationship you have with each donor.

Authentic vs. Generic:

In today's digital age, authenticity is a currency. People can quickly discern genuine appreciation from mere formality. While sending a thank-you letter is a standard best practice after receiving a donation, it's the authentic touch that will make your message stand out.

Genuine appreciation is a heartfelt acknowledgment of the donor's contribution, seen through specific references, shared stories, or personal anecdotes that connect the donor to the cause. On the other hand, generic or template-driven responses often feel cold and transactional. Remember, donors are not ATMs; they're individuals or entities with emotions, values, and a desire to make a difference. By leaning into authenticity, you're not just saying 'thank you'; you're building a bridge of trust and mutual respect.

2. Timeliness

Gratitude, like many things in life, is most impactful when it's timely.

The glow that comes from doing a good deed, like donating, is genuine but can be fleeting. When a donor contributes to your cause, that act is fresh in their mind, accompanied by a sense of pride and fulfillment. Sending a thank you note promptly captures and reinforces these positive feelings. A general guideline is to send your appreciation within 2 weeks of receiving the donation. It's a window where your acknowledgment can resonate the most, making the donor feel valued and integral to your cause.

But what happens if you delay? As time passes, the immediacy and emotional connection of the donor's act start to fade. If they receive a thank you note much later, it might appear as an afterthought, suggesting that their donation wasn't a priority. In some cases, they might even forget the specifics of their contribution. By acting fast, you're ensuring that your gratitude is not just a box you're ticking off but a genuine acknowledgment of their timely support.

3. Clarify the Impact

Giving brings joy, but seeing the impact of one's gift multiplies that joy immensely.

Tangible Results:

When someone donates, there's an inherent curiosity: "What difference will my contribution make?" It's a valid and often unspoken question that existing donors carry. As recipients, addressing this curiosity enhances the value and significance of their donation.

By spotlighting real-world outcomes, you're painting a picture of change – a classroom that now has books, a family that now has shelter, or a research project that's a step closer to finding a solution. It's about transforming abstract numbers into tangible results. For instance, instead of just thanking someone for a $100 donation, mention that their generous contribution helped buy school supplies for 20 students.

To make the impact even more palpable, weave in statistics or anecdotal stories. "Thanks to your donation, 90% of the children in our program can now read at their grade level," or "Dear friend, a beneficiary of the program, recently expressed how these supplies boosted his confidence in school." Such details make the donor's gift come alive, allowing them to visualize and feel the ripple effects of their generosity.

4. Readability

In the art of saying 'thank you,' clarity and conciseness are your trusted allies.

Conciseness and Clarity:

Donors are often busy individuals or entities with numerous responsibilities. While they value the acknowledgment of their contribution, they might not have the time to read through lengthy prose. This is where the essence of your message matters more than its length.

Aim for thank-you letters that are succinct, preferably capping at one page. Dive straight into the heart of your gratitude, outline the impact of their donation, and wrap up with an eye to future engagements or updates. A clear and concise message respects the donor's time while effectively conveying your appreciation.

For enhanced readability, employ clear section headings, bullet points, and bolding to draw attention to the main points. Not only does this make your note easier to skim through, but it also ensures the primary messages aren't lost in a sea of text. For example, if you're highlighting the impact of their donation, a bolded section header like "Your Impact in Numbers" followed by bullet points of statistics can quickly convey the essential information.

5. Human Touch

In an era dominated by digital interactions, the warmth of a human touch stands out like a beacon of authenticity and sincerity.

Handwritten Gestures:

There's something inherently personal and intimate about a handwritten physical letter. The uniqueness of one's handwriting, the slight imprints of the pen, and the imperfections that come with manual writing all contribute to a sense of raw authenticity. If feasible, consider handwriting your thank you messages, especially for significant donations or particularly meaningful contributors. It sends a message: "You are worth my time."

At the very least, sign the note by hand. A digital print of your name doesn't carry the same weight as an actual signature. This small gesture can amplify the sincerity of your gratitude, emphasizing a personal acknowledgment from you or your organization.

Moreover, adding a handwritten postscript (P.S.) at the end can be an effective touch. Whether it's a quick additional thank you, a brief update, or a personal anecdote, this P.S. not only grabs attention but also adds an informal, personal layer to donor communications.

6. Continuous Engagement

Donor relationships don't end with a thank-you note; they're just beginning.

Post-Donation Stewardship:

Once a donor has contributed to your cause, they've shown an interest and investment in your mission. This initial engagement is a doorway to a longer, more enriching relationship. As the recipient or organization, it's essential to recognize and nurture this relationship.

After sending your initial thank you, ensure you keep donors in the loop. Regularly provide updates on how their donation is being used, showcasing new developments, milestones reached, or any challenges being faced. Share success stories that stemmed from their generosity, humanizing the impact and making it relatable. For instance, if they donated to an education initiative, update them about students' progress, graduation rates, or any special achievements.

Such continuous engagement keeps the donor connected, making them feel like an integral part of the journey. It transforms a one-time giver into a long-term supporter and advocates for your cause. Moreover, informed donors are more likely to contribute again, share their mission with others, and offer invaluable feedback or connections.

thank you for your donation speech

Thank-You Note Templates

Understanding the right words to convey gratitude, especially after a donation, can sometimes be a challenge. Using templates as a guide can simplify this process, offering a structure that can be tailored to fit specific situations.

For Individuals

1. Personal Donation to a Friend or Family Member in Need:

"Dear [Donor's Name],

From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank you for your generous donation of [specific amount or kind of donation]. In these trying times, your gift means the world to me. Your assistance has helped lighten the load, specifically with [mention specific need, e.g., "the mounting medical bills"]. It's comforting to know I have friends/family like you supporting me.

With heartfelt thanks,

[Your Name]"

2. Crowdfunding or Community Support:

Words can't express how grateful I am for your contribution to [specific fundraising campaign name]. Your generous donation of [specific amount or kind] is pushing us closer to our dream. Thanks to your help, we've reached [specific achievement, e.g., "70% of our target goal"]. Every contribution, such as yours, makes [specific cause, e.g., "reviving the community park"] a tangible reality.

I'll be sure to keep you posted on our milestones. Here's to making dreams come true, together.

Warmest regards,

[Your Name or Campaign Organizer's Name]"

For Nonprofits

1. Small Donations from Individual Supporters:

Every act of generosity, no matter its size, fuels our mission. We sincerely thank you for your kind donation of [specific amount]. It's contributions like yours that empower us to [specific action or goal, e.g., "provide meals to families in need"].

Thank you for joining us in making a difference.

Warm wishes,

[Your Organization's Name]"

2. Large Grants or Sponsorships:

"Dear [Donor's Name or Organization's Name],

We are profoundly grateful and excited to acknowledge your generous grant/sponsorship of [specific amount or kind]. Such significant support accelerates our mission, enabling us to [specific large-scale impact, e.g., "launch our educational program for underprivileged children"].

Your partnership is invaluable, and we look forward to the remarkable change we'll achieve together.

With deep appreciation,

3. In-kind Donations:

A heartfelt thank you for your in-kind donation of [specific item(s) or service(s)]. Such non-monetary contributions are just as crucial, aiding us in [specific use or impact, e.g., "furnishing our new community center"].

Your generosity continues to shape and uplift our efforts in tangible ways.

Warm regards,

thank you for your donation speech

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. generic or impersonal notes.

While it might be convenient to rely on a standardized message, especially when managing numerous thank-you letters, it's a practice that can quickly dilute the message's impact.

The Risk of Making a Donor Feel Unvalued:

A thank you note is a bridge between the giver and the receiver, emphasizing the significance of the contribution. When a note feels automated or boilerplate, it may lead the donor to question the genuine appreciation of their gesture. Remember, donors are humans, not just funding sources. They desire connection, recognition, and a feeling of personal impact. Making a note personally by referencing specifics about the donation, or even weaving in recent interactions, can make all the difference in reinforcing that human connection.

2. Overloading with Information:

While it's essential to convey the impact of a donation, there's a fine line between being informative and inundating a donor with too many details.

Finding the Balance Between Informative and Overwhelming:

Your aim is to keep the donor informed, but not to the point where the main message – gratitude – is lost amidst a sea of statistics, anecdotes, and updates. Yes, donors want to know their contribution is making a difference, but they also don't want to sift through paragraphs of dense information to get the point. Use clear, concise language. Include impactful statistics or a poignant anecdote, but avoid the temptation to share every single achievement or data point. The thank you note should leave the donor with a clear, uplifting sentiment of their positive impact, not confusion.

3. Late Acknowledgments

Gratitude delayed can sometimes feel like gratitude denied.

The Timeliness of Gratitude:

Acknowledging a donor's contribution in a timely manner is crucial. When there's a significant lag between the receipt of a donation and the thank you, it can give the impression of disorganization or, worse, indifference. A donor might even wonder if their contribution was received or appreciated. Aim to send thank-you letters as soon as possible, ideally within two weeks of receiving the donation. Prompt acknowledgment not only reinforces the importance of the donation but also reiterates the efficiency and responsiveness of your organization or cause.

Navigating the waters of donor appreciation comes with its challenges. But by being mindful of these common mistakes and emphasizing authenticity, timeliness, and clarity, you can ensure your gratitude shines brightly and resonates deeply with every donor.

*spotfund: An Effortless Way to Manage Your Fundraising Campaigns

*spotfund free online fundraising platform is reshaping the online fundraising arena in our dynamic digital age. More than just a fundraising platform, *spotfund offers a holistic ecosystem tailored for both fundraisers and donors. Its standout features include a zero platform fee, ensuring every raised penny goes straight to the cause; a user-centric design that simplifies campaign creation; and seamless social media integration, enabling effortless campaign sharing and promotion.

The Thank-You Process on *spotfund

Instant Donor Notification: As soon as a donation is made, *spotfund ensures you're notified with an email, allowing for prompt acknowledgment.

Easy Thank You Note Creation: Dive into the dashboard, and with ease, craft a heartfelt thank-you note. Utilize the templates we discussed earlier to make this process even smoother.

Engaging Donor Updates: After expressing your gratitude, *spotfund goes the extra mile. It shares your thank-you note with the donor and provides real-time updates on the campaign's fundraising progress.

Transparent Progress Display: The platform continually showcases the funds raised, offering a clear visual representation of your campaign's success and encouraging further donations.

thank you for your donation speech

Embracing the power of gratitude, *spotfund enhances the donation experience for both the fundraiser and the donor. It's not just about collecting funds, but nurturing relationships, acknowledging generosity, and building a community.

Ready to make a difference? With *spotfund, not only can you effortlessly raise funds, but you also get to express your gratitude seamlessly. Start your campaign today , and never miss an opportunity to thank your generous donors.  

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thank you for your donation speech

31 Short Thank You Messages For the Donations

Thank You Message for Donation

Showing appreciation and gratitude for a donation will build goodwill with the donor and perhaps lead to more donations in the future.

The example messages will give you some inspiration for your thank you note.

These samples are for when you desire to write a short note instead of a long thank you letter.

Tips for your Donation Message or Thank You Note:

  • Show the impact.  If it makes sense for your situation, include a sentence about how you/your cause benefits from the donation. Many things can be donated: cars, money for various causes, cat surgery, scholarship money, medical expenses, etc. With sites like GoFundMe , the possibilities have become endless.
  • Write more. If a donation was made directly to you (not to an organization), you might want to opt for a full-length letter to express your gratitude and show how much the donation means to your life. You can explain your background and how you expect the donation will change your life.
  • Personalize.  Whenever possible, address the donor by name instead of generic phrases like “Dear Friend.”
  • Donation Letters. Review the Wild Apricot donation thank you letters to see examples of full-length donation letters.

The wording for your note or letter will be different, depending on if you received a donation from someone or if you are thanking a donor that contributed to your organization.

Donation Thank You From Person-To-Person Template

Here is a template thank you donation message for when the donation was made personally to you. 

Dear [Person’s Name],

Thank you for contributing towards [whatever you needed money for]. Because of your generosity, I was able to [how the money helped you]. [One or more two sentences about the situation or something personal.]

Thanks Again,

[Your Name]

You can also read the thank you for the money note examples for more inspiration if the donation was a personal monetary gift.

Donation Thank You From an Organization Template

Here is a template that businesses, usually non-profits, can use to thank anyone that’s donated

Thank you for your donation to [Organization Name]. We appreciate you, and you help us make a difference with [the goal of the fundraiser/organization]. Because of your donation, we were able [what the organization accomplished].

If you have any questions, please get in touch with us at 555-555-5555.

[Your Name and position]

Notes: In the examples below, replace the words in [brackets] with words that make sense for your situation. 

Very Short Thank You Messages For Donation

Here are some thank you for our donation messages to express gratitude and appreciate in a sentence of two. 

  • Thank you for your generous donation. 
  • You’re an amazing friend. Thank you for your Go Fund Me donation. 
  • Thank you for supporting our cause. We thank you for the financial donation.
  • Thank you for your contribution and support. We are able to help many thanks to donors like you. 
  • We appreciate your generosity. Thank you for your donation. 
  • Thank you for donating. Your generosity is much appreciated. 
  • Thank you very much for your kind donation. 
  • I am thankful for your money donation. I was able to use it for ______. 
  • Thank you for donation. Your contribution will help many people. 
  • Thank you for making a donation last week. We are grateful for your kindness.

Short Thank You Messages For Donation Made to a Person

These messages are examples of how to say thank you for the financial donation when the donation was for a person. 

#1 Thank you for donating to help cover the cost of my cat’s unexpected surgery. [Cat’s Name] feels like part of the family. I am happy to report that she did well and removed the tumor. She is expected to make a full recovery!

#2 I am grateful to receive your old car! I was in a bind when the transmission dropped out of my car. I will be able to get to and from work now. As you know, I am struggling to make ends meet, and this car is a true blessing.

#3 I appreciate your financial donation to my political campaign. Your contribution will help us reach more potential voters. I am grateful for your support.

#4 Thank you for helping me with my mounting medical expenses. The recovery from the accident has been long and expensive. Because of your donation, I should be able to have all the bills paid by the end of this year!

#5 This year has been interesting! The dogs I rescued are recovering and finally putting on some weight. Thank you for providing the dog food for them. I hope to find quality homes for them soon.

#6 We were surprised when Aunt [Name] passed away unexpectedly. We are grateful that you were able to cover the funeral expenses. Your financial support was a help to our family, as we were able to have a lovely service with lunch afterward at her church.

#7 My sisters and I are thankful for your support during the various fundraisers for our church mission trip. The small donations for Wednesday night dinners at church add up to a lot over the months. And we thank you for the check you mailed. The mission trip was wonderful, and we will tell you all about it the next time we see you.

#8 Thank you for donating your leftover paint to our center. We were able to give every room a fresh coat. The kids are enjoying the bright colors! We appreciate that you thought of us!

#9 I feel very blessed by your generosity. Paying my first and last month’s rent at the new apartment was very kind of you. I am excited to be close enough to walk to my job and will be working on paying off my debts and building savings. Thank you for helping me to get this apartment without incurring more debt.

#10  Thank you for contributing to my Go Fund Me campaign. Last month was very tough for me when I was out of work unexpectedly due to the car accident. Your friendship and support mean the world to me.

Short Thank You Messages For Donation Made to an Organization

These messages are examples of how a non-profit or other group can thank you for donations. 

#1 Thank you for your generous gift to our funding campaign for the new building. Your support will mean we can provide more low-cost pet services to the community. We also appreciate that you are a monthly donor. People like you make a difference for many cats and dogs!

#2 We are very grateful for your contribution to the [Description/Name] Scholarship fund. This scholarship is awarded to students that meet our criteria for [Goal of Scholarship]. Your generous donation will help two students with their first year of college tuition.

#3 Thank you for being one of our top donors at the annual fundraiser for [what the event was for]. Your care and concern for [organization goal] are above and beyond. With your continued commitment, we’ve been able to help [list who/what/how you are helping].

#4  Our fundraising goal was met this year. We are grateful to every donor. Your giving spirit makes a difference as we help provide clean water to those who need it. Also, we appreciate your help at the packing and loading events at the end of each quarter. Many hands make for light work.

#5 Thank you for being an ongoing monthly donor. Having monthly donations helps us with the budget as we can plan a bit better. This past year, we have provided used cars to three families and cover their auto insurance for one year.

#6  Thank you for your donation to [Organization]. We are blessed to have you as a donor and know that you care about [topic] as much as we do. This year, we have been able to help [list who you helped].

#7 Contributing to help us with our goal of [Organization purpose] is very much appreciated. Donations make it possible for us to [how you help others]. Thank you for being involved and supporting our goal to [whatever goal is].

#8 Thank you for attending our golfing fundraiser. We also want to recognize that your team, in total, raised $,$$$. This is a significant amount that will be used to [help others do this]. Your enthusiasm each year is contiguous.

#9  You are a rockstar! Your support of [Organization] is off the charts. Thank you for being a top donor again this month. Every $10 contribution allows us to feed two local families in need for a day. We look forward to seeing you at the annual summer get-together.

#10  Thank you for donating your bicycles to our program. As you know, bikes allow more people to have a way to get to their job. We have a young family that has also requested bikes for their children, which is where your old bikes will be going.

#11  Thank you for being a donor at our recent fundraiser. We received enough funds to be able to [what money allows your group to do]. We will share impact stories in our next letter, but we wanted to thank you immediately!

Related Posts:

  • How To Write a Thank You Note For Money With Examples
  • Thank You for the Help

Heidi Bender

Author: Heidi Bender

Title: writer, expertise: thank you notes.

Heidi Bender is a writer and author who founded Tons of Thanks. She aims to help people write thank-you notes by providing examples and tips. She is the author of She is the author of A Modern Guide to Writing Thank-You Notes.

2 thoughts on “31 Short Thank You Messages For the Donations”

Your instructions and ideas helped me a lot.

This article tells you about the donation thank you note examples.Anyone searching for same topic may find their shelter here. I am sure many people will come to read this in future.Great blog indeed, will visit again future to read more!!

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How to write a donation thank you letter

Whenever you ask people how to fundraise for a non-profit, the conversation immediately goes to how to get new donors.

It’s what most people think of when they’re trying to raise money. It’s the visible work that gets a lot of attention. But that can come at a cost because retaining existing donors is just as important to your organization's finances.

Efforts to get new donors should never come at the cost of retaining existing donors. One important piece of donor retention is writing donation thank you letters.

Penelope Burk, of Burk’s Blog, illustrates the power of a personal thank you note with this story:

“A community hospice sent their new donor-centered thank you letter to a first-time donor who had just made a $100 contribution. The delighted donor called the organization because she ‘wanted to meet the person who had written such a beautiful letter’. Donor and Fundraiser fell into conversation about the Hospice and its future plans. The next day a check arrived via courier with a post-it note attached which read, ‘For your hopes and dreams.’ The check was for $25,000 .”

The work of getting a new donor was done—they’d already received the $100 donation. But the work of following up with a personal thank you letter led to personal conversation and ultimately a much larger donation.

Thank you notes are an easy way to improve donor retention and should never be ignored. In This article we’ll discuss the significance of following after donations, what you should (and should not) include, and a lot of donation thank you letter examples.

1. Remind your donors of the good things their donation allows you to do

The strategy you used to gain the support of your donors is still relevant when you are reaching out to thank them after the fact.

Rather than just sending a simple thank you, remind them of the work their donation is allowing you to do. Use your thank you letter as a chance to zoom in on specific projects.

Don’t just copy language that you’ve used in your promotional material. Actually connect this donation to work that you’re currently doing.

In an interview with Network for Good, Lynne Wester, author of The Four Pillars of Donor Relations , was asked where most charities fall short in their donor retention.

“Nonprofits don’t take the time to tell the donor the impact and power of their gift, where the money went, and how it was spent. Instead, they’re too eager to obtain the next gift which leads to horrific retention rates. We have to make the donor the hero and tell a story, not overwhelm them with news and information about the organization or ask them for more money. First we have to thank them, and then tell them the impact their money had.”

Make your donor the hero in the story of your organization.

2. Send your donation Thank You letters as soon as possible

Aim on getting your thank you letters in the mail within 1 to 2 days after the donation. This shows that you are aware of the gift, and that it has had an effect.

It can seem awkward reaching out to donors so soon after their donation, but being prompt in your response is vital. This shows the donor that you are monitoring what is coming into your organization and gives assurance that their money isn’t lost.

According to Wester “in order to have an optimal effect on donor retention, donors want to receive their acknowledgment within two weeks of their gift.” That includes mailing time on both ends, and gift processing. “Any more than that and the donor feels as though their gift is unimportant and one in a series of many that the institution receives daily.”

You want your donor to feel special, not that they are lost in the crowd.

From a psychological perspective, receiving a thoughtful note produces the chemical high. If the action of sending a donation is not met with a quick response the chemical response will be delayed, thus minimizing the good feeling for the donor.

3. Focus on saying “Thank You.” (Don’t ask for another donation right now!)

A common mistake when charitable organizations send thank you notes, is that they forget the purpose of the note.The purpose of your thank you notes is just that, to thank your donors and show them your gratitude.

This is not a reminder to donate again, this is simply a thank you from you to them. It is important to highlight personal gratitude in the message, as well as show the donors the impact their donation is having.

Do not try to solicit new donations or advertise upcoming events in your thank you note. If you are having an event you think a donor would be interested in, send them a separate letter.

4. Make the thank you note personal

The notes should be personal and show your genuine emotion. Do not be afraid to use a familiar tone or exclamation points when appropriate. Your thank you note should be sincere. You should also address the note to the donor specifically.

A first name isn’t always necessary, but please don’t use a general salutation. That vague opening will clash with any personal connection you’re trying to establish.

According to trials run by the Charitable Aid Fund (CAF) in conjunction with the Cabinet Office Behavioral Insights Team there is significant response when there is a personal touch.

“Interestingly, [receiving sweets] was about as effective as receiving a more personalised email from the CEO (‘Dear David’ rather than ‘Dear Colleague’). 12% of people in this group gave a day of their salary to charity.” — Applying Behavioural Insights to Charitable Giving

Here’s an example letter that follows this advice:

Example Donation Thank You Letter #1:

Dear [Donor’s name] , Thank you for your generous gift to [name of organization] . We are thrilled to have your support. Through your donation we have been able to accomplish [goal] and continue working towards [purpose of organization] . You truly make the difference for us, and we are extremely grateful! Today your donation is going toward [problem] . If you have specific questions about how your gift is being used or our organization as whole, please don’t hesitate to contact [Name] through [contact information] . Sincerely, [Your name]

5. Give special recognition to your recurring donors

If this particular donor has a history of giving to your organization it is beneficial to you—and honoring to them—for you to mention it.

You can mention it in the letter itself, a sample paragraph is provided below, or you could also make mention of it in a personal, hand written note at the bottom of the letter.

“Your support through the years has been greatly influential in accomplishing [specific accomplishment] and [specific accomplishment]. It is your continued support that sustains our mission and makes all the difference.”

Adding a one to two sentence update about a specific person or group who have been helped over time is a great addition. Customizing the story for each donor is a nice touch, if possible. Giving connecting factors between donor and recipient would increase a sense of bond and investment in your organization.

“Cindy was helped by our organization last October and has since been able to find a steady job to support her family. Through the help of your donation we supported her through childcare, transportation, interview coaching, and resume review.”

“When an identifiable victim is made into a cause, people appear to be quite compassionate and generous.” argues Deborah Small in her paper Sympathy and Callousness . Giving a specific cause evokes our sympathy, while statistics can simply cause the donor to feel helpless.

6. Keep your thank you notes short

It is beneficial to keep the length of the letter manageable. This is because all you need to convey is the gratitude and the impact of the gift. Any additional information can make the letter seem like a chore to read and deter your donors from donating again.

You do not have to have every aspect mentioned here, but this will add variety to your thank you notes. For newer donors you may want to include contact information for someone in your organization who can answer questions.

7. If you don’t have time to hand write each note, make sure you include a real signature

Your thank you letter should always be signed with a real signature. This adds that personal touch again, showing that a real person took the time to sign the letter.

Additionally, anything after the signature should be handwritten. Nothing says impersonal like a p.s. or personal note that is typed.

As mentioned to in the earlier CAF quote, an additional note—or email—from a board member or high-ranking individual in the organization has a positive impact on donor retention. You also will get some leniency on the timeframe of your follow up letter as long as you acknowledged the gift promptly.

To expedite the process for writing your thank you notes, it is good practice to have some thank you templates that can be customized for each donor.

8. Keep donation thank you notes and donation receipts separate

It’s really important to keep the receipt and thank you separate. If you combine the receipt and thank you letter it can feel like they only received a letter because of the size of the donation. You aren’t thankful that the gift was $500 in the form of a check, you’re thankful that they gave a donation to an important cause.

To ensure the charitable donation is tax deductible, your receipt must contain 6 key elements:

  • The name of organization
  • The amount of cash contribution
  • A description (but not the value) of non-cash contribution
  • A statement that no goods or services were provided by the organization in return for the contribution, if that was the case
  • A description and good faith estimate of the value of goods or services, if any, that an organization provided in return for the contribution
  • A statement that goods or services, if any, that an organization provided in return for the contribution consisted entirely of intangible religious benefits

If you’re using donation management software like Donor Tools , you can use the receipts that are automatically generated. If you don’t use a donation management system you can manually create receipts that include these 6 elements.

The pressure of finding donors can be overwhelming, but you can drastically impact your overall fundraising efforts through retaining donors. The simple act of writing a thoughtful donation thank you letter is one simple way to show that your organization cares not only about your mission, but also about donors that make your work possible.

These notes shift the focus from highlighting your organization to the good your donor is doing by giving to your organization. This brings home the sense of accomplishment, and gratification for the donor, which will keep them invested in your organization for years to come.

Additional Donation Thank You Letter Templates

Example donation thank you letter #2:.

Dear [Donor’s name] , Thank you for your great generosity! We, at [charitable organization] , greatly appreciate your donation, and your sacrifice. Your support helps to further our mission through [general projects] , including [specific project or recipient] . Your support is invaluable to us, thank you again! If you have specific questions about our mission be sure to visit our website [link] or reach out to [contact] ! Sincerely, [Signature] [Name and title]

Example Donation Thank You Letter #3:

Dear [Donor’s name] , Together we are making a difference! Your continued support of our mission is deeply gratifying to us, and we hope it is the same for you. We were honored to see that you have chosen to increase your donation this [month/year] . Your gift has already started to [impact] . Please feel free to contact [name, number] if you have any specific questions, we would love the opportunity to thank you again! With deepest gratitude, and warmest wishes, [signature] [name, title] [organization name]

Example Donation Thank You Letter #4:

Dear [Donor’s name] , It is with great joy I write to you about the impact of your recent gift. It was only last week that the case of Spot was brought to our attention. Thanks to your gift, Spot could receive his necessary shots and immunizations . He is currently being fostered in hope of finding his forever home ! Thank you, [signature] [name, title] [organization name]

Raise More & Grow Your Nonprofit.

15 sincere ways to say thank you to your donors.

June 18, 2021

Fundraising

December 31, 2022

thank you for your donation speech

TABLE OF CONTENTS

At the moment, you’re likely overwhelmed with your seemingly never ending to-do list, thinking about all the emails that need responding to and all the projects that need tending to. 

The thought of adding something else to that to-do list, and especially something that might seem like a non-essential activity, such as thanking your donors, possibly seems exhausting.

Yet, thanking donors might be the single most important thing on that to-do list.

Why thanking donors matters

Thanking donors is the cornerstone of good donor stewardship . And donor stewardship creates long-lasting relationships that are the bread and butter of nonprofits.

Thanking donors fosters a sense of loyalty and inclusion that in turn inspires bigger and more frequent generosity.

In fact, studies show donor retention is much more important than donor acquisition when it comes to nonprofit fundraising.

Therefore, besides good manners, when done properly, thanking donors can encourage future donations and the donor’s continued involvement with your nonprofit.

There are many ways in which you can thank your donors and acknowledge their support.

Below, we share 15 true and tested ideas to express gratitude and build a meaningful relationship with your donors. 

Before we get into the practical ways in which you can thank your donors, let’s review 5 main principles to effective “thank you” communications:

Five principles of an effective “thank you”

1. make the “thank you” timely.

While nonprofit professionals have many demands on their time, timely “thank you’s” should be one of the priorities. 

If donors don’t receive a “thank you” following their donation or receive it only 10 days later, they might feel unappreciated or get an impression that your organization isn’t professional. As a result, they might choose to donate their money elsewhere.

2. Make the “thank you” authentic and personal

Your donors don’t want to feel like you’re thanking them just out of courtesy or just because you have to. And they don’t want to feel like just a name or a number. When saying thank you, don’t forget about the human touch. Make your “thank you” as personal as you can, and make it authentic. Try your best not to send overly generic messages.

If you have a good nonprofit CRM, you’ll have data about every interaction you’ve had with each of your donors. Use that data to help you create a personalized “thank you” and add relevant details that will make your donors feel important.

thank you for your donation speech

3. Explain the impact

Pair the “thank you” with explaining the impact the donor’s gift had. Use simple and clear language to share with donors how their donation made a difference in the lives of your beneficiaries.

When demonstrating impact, storytelling will be your best friend. Instead of throwing a bunch of statistics at your donors (although those matter too), tell stories that highlight the “before and after” the donation. How did the life of the beneficiary look like before your organization’s intervention and how does it look like now? What was the situation/problem before and how does it look like now?

thank you for your donation speech

4. Celebrate the donor

Focus on the donor when speaking about the impact, and less so on your organization.

Donors should feel like the enablers of your work, because that’s exactly what they are.

A simple way to begin doing this is to use “you” and “your” in your communication instead of “we” or “I.” Take a sample of 10 pieces of donor communications from the last 1-3 months and count how many times you use “I” or “we” and how many times you use “you” and “your”. This will give you a good idea of where you stand. Then, try to replace as many of “I” and “we” with “you” and “your” as possible in future communications.

For example, instead of saying “Our organization saved 10 acres of land in Brazil this month”, you could say, “Your donation helped save 10 acres of land in Brazil this month.” Giving the donor credit is a powerful way to strengthen your relationship with them.

thank you for your donation speech

5. Thank frequently and regularly

Thank your donors on a continuous basis, not just after a donation.

If you’re worried about sending too many “thank you’s”, don’t be. It’s better to err on the side of gratitude than potentially making your donors feel like you’re not grateful for their support.

15 creative ways to say “thank you” to your donors

1. send a handwritten letter.

There’s something special about handwritten notes in the digital era.

A handwritten note will really stand out in a mailbox, grabbing the attention of your supporters.

A thoughtful note can be sent out any time of the year and for any occasion:

  • Right after a donation
  • For your donor’s birthday
  • For Christmas or other relevant religious holiday
  • For the New Year
  • For your donor’s “giving-versary”
  • Any other time of the year to let your donors know you’re thinking of them!

Anyone from your organization can write the note, and to go the extra mile — involve your beneficiaries! There will be nothing quite like it when your donors receive a handwritten note by someone their donation helped.

Depending on who your beneficiaries are, you can get extra creative with this. For example, if your nonprofit is an animal shelter, you can include “paw prints” in your handwritten letters!

thank you for your donation speech

Pro tip: The handwritten note can also come from the person your donors are most familiar with (like an employee or a volunteer), for a more personal touch.

2. Make the phone call

Phone calls, when done right, can be a great way to thank your donors for their contribution.

You can make the phone call following a donation, on a special holiday, at the end of the year, or at any other time of the year (surprising your donors)!

You can even organize a phone-a-thon, bringing together team members and volunteers to make phone calls and say “thank you” to your donors. You can even turn this into a regular event that you organize weekly or monthly.

Come up with a script your volunteers and team members can follow, but allow space for the calls to be spontaneous and unrehearsed. The calls shouldn’t feel like a mere formality, otherwise they will lose its power with donors.

thank you for your donation speech

3. Organize an office tour

Invite the donors to tour your offices. This can make your donors feel closer to your organization and make them feel more like they’re part of the team.

As part of the tour, you can organize a casual lunch or coffee with the team at the office. Let the space be informal and casual. As part of the visit, you can also show your donors what happens behind the scenes of making your programs happen.

Naturally, it’s not possible to organize this for all of your donors, so you can organize it for the top tiers. As a way to involve other tiers, you could, for example, organize a virtual tour of your office.

thank you for your donation speech

4. Highlight donors on social media and website

Highlight donors on your social media pages with a "donor spotlight." Ask your donor for their permission to do so, and if they agree, ask them for a photograph and a testimonial you can use. Ask them why they decided to give to your nonprofit. In your donor highlight, share why you value the donor’s support.

You can also create a dedicated Donor Spotlight page on your website and share photos and brief descriptions of some of the ways in which donors and volunteers support your work.

Another way to publicly thank your donors is to use Facebook or Instagram video and record a short video highlighting your top supporters and how their gifts are making a difference.

Finally, you can also appreciate your top donors in your annual report.

thank you for your donation speech

5. Send small gifts

Small and thoughtful gifts can make a big difference.

Send a small gift alongside a personalized “thank you” note. It’s best that the gift is directly linked to your cause and the positive impact your work is having thanks to your donors’ support. For example, you can design a photo booklet with photographs from the field. These photo booklets can include quotes, notes, and statistics. Photo booklets are a very good end-of-year gift, although they can be sent any time of the year.

You can also send framed photographs, coffee mugs, tote bags, candles, hampers, journals, books, and more. You can also try and make the gifts relevant to your specific mission. For example, if you’re an environmental nonprofit, you could send your nonprofit supporters reusable cutlery or bamboo toothbrushes.

You can also send your donors electronic gift cards. And these don’t have to be super expensive (e.g. you can send a gift card for a cup of coffee).

Bonus points for handmade gifts by those you serve (if relevant)!

thank you for your donation speech

Pro tip: Gifts are a touchy subject in the nonprofit world because some believe them to be taking away from the money that could be spent directly on programs. If you’re sending gifts like tote bags or coffee mugs, explain to your donors that the publicity you get by them using these gifts contributes to more donations!

Companies like Swag.com are great places for branded items to send.

6. Send a welcome package

First impressions matter. For many donors, how their gift is acknowledged has a direct effect on if, when, and how they donate again.

To really start off the relationship with your donors on the right foot, consider sending them a welcome package. Now, a physical package might not be feasible for all organizations — but every organization can make an effort to welcome their donors once they become a supporter.

You can include many different items in your welcome package. You can start with a welcome photo and photos from the field featuring your beneficiaries, as well as an impact story. If you have a larger budget or are sending this to a major donor, you might add in a small gift and send this via snail mail. If your budget is lower, you can send this via-email.

It’s important that a welcome package, if you’re sending it, is sent right after the first donation is made, acknowledging your donor’s gift and creating a positive donation experience for them.

Try to personalize the welcome package as much as possible, referencing the project, program, or community that the donation is supporting. Include a simple call to action, such as inviting the donor to tell a friend about your organization.

thank you for your donation speech

Pro tip: Keep your donation receipts separate from your “thank you” letters and welcome packages. You can still add a “thank you” to your donation receipt, but you should also send a separate “thank you” letter or a welcome package.

7. Send birthday/anniversary cards

Pay special attention to the big milestones: birthdays, weddings, promotions, anniversaries and honor your donors on these special days.

Send them an email, call them, or send them a token of appreciation.

This communicates to your donors you care about them and pay attention. And if this seems cumbersome or downright impossible, you might not be managing your data well.

With a well-organized donor database, such a process won’t be overwhelming. If you don’t have one, now is the time to start investing in a good donor management system that will enable you to communicate with your donors in a timely, authentic, and meaningful way.

thank you for your donation speech

8. Send a “thank you” video

Videos are “it” nowadays! They help relay the atmosphere in a way that written word or a phone call simply can’t. And you don’t need fancy equipment to create good videos. All you need is a good smartphone, some good lighting, and you’ll be good to go!

Start the video by mentioning the donor by name and mention something specific about this donor. The donor should ideally notice that you made the video just for them! These videos don’t have to be too long, two to three minutes is sufficient to relay the message.

Of course, depending on the size of your nonprofit, it’s probably not realistic to create a video for every single donor. In case you have many donors, you could create dedicated videos just for your major donors. You could create a more generic video for other donors that you could send to them in your nonprofit e-newsletter .

Keep the “thank you” video short and prepare the main talking points beforehand. Be sincere and authentic -- that matters more than top notch production in these videos. It’s important they feel “human” and not overly polished.

9. Meet the team

Here’s a short and sweet, yet effective idea to say “thank you” to your donors!

Whenever you can bring more authentic human connection to your relationship with donors, do so. 

Organizing a get together where your donors can meet your team. This can be anything — from a fancy gala night to a coffee and tea gathering, a picnic, an informal lunch, and more.

What matters is that you organize the type of gathering your donors would enjoy, and that you make it all about the community!

thank you for your donation speech

10. Ask for input

Although this doesn’t seem like a “thank you”, it really is! Your donors will feel valued and appreciated when you ask for their opinion and acknowledge their input.

Send out a survey gauging your supporters’ opinions and suggestions, and once you receive them, don’t forget to somehow act upon them.

You can also organize an open discussion and invite your major donors to contribute their opinions and/or ask any questions they might have about your work.

If your major donors aren’t in the same geographic area, you can organize the discussion on Zoom. You can even open one Board meeting per year for your major donors to attend. This will give them a larger perspective on your operations and make them feel valued and appreciated.

thank you for your donation speech

11. “Come-Along”

A great way to thank your donors and show them the impact their donations are having is to invite them to come along to one of your program locations.

Remember, people give to people, not organizations.

Let your donors meet your beneficiaries. Take them to that animal shelter, that forest reserve, or that school. Let them experience first hand the problem you’re trying to solve. Discuss your successes and challenges with them. Introduce them to everyone as a friend, as a member of your team. This is how you create life-long supporters!

Let your donors see the reality of your program locations, you don’t need to change them up for their arrival. The more authentic, the better.

Pro tip: If you can’t do a physical tour of the location, invite your donors to a virtual tour.

thank you for your donation speech

12. Donor appreciation wall

Social media appreciation posts and website highlights are wonderful ways to appreciate your donors, but there’s another way to thank your donors!

Create a donor appreciation wall at a physical location, such as your office (or school, hospital, museum etc.)

These can be engraved bricks, donor appreciation trees, pavestones, or any other host of creative ways to have your donors’ names visible.

thank you for your donation speech

13. Host a donor appreciation event

Organize an event for the sole purpose of recognizing and acknowledging your donors.

This can be as formal or as informal as you like, and as big or as small as you like, but organizing an event to celebrate the support of your donors can do wonders for your relationship with your donors.

Make sure you don’t ask for more donations during this event, but simply demonstrate gratitude for your donors' continued support and all it helps you achieve.

Highlight the impact your organization is having thanks to their donations. Show videos, photos, and invite beneficiaries to share their stories.

thank you for your donation speech

14. “Inside access”

Another creative way to thank your donors is to offer them “inside access” to your nonprofit’s activities. What that inside access will look like will depend on what you do.

For example, if you’re a theatre, you can send your donors a recording of a virtual performance done just for them. An art gallery could offer its donors early access to an exhibition. And most nonprofits can invite donors a chance to a virtual talk by an expert in a theme related to their work.

15. Annual donor awards

Here’s a creative idea for thanking your donors with lots of potential! Every year, maybe at the end of the year, give your donors awards. 

You can give more classic awards such as “Donor of the Year” or “New Donor of the Year” or think of more creative names that relate to your nonprofit’s mission. For example, if you’re a wildlife conservatory, you might name the awards “The Elephant Award” or “The Tiger Award” and then describe these awards with a sentence or two.

You can pair the award with a plaque or a trophy, but it also doesn’t have to be expensive if you don’t have the budget.

You can hold an awards ceremony or send awards via mail.

thank you for your donation speech

Ready to make your donors feel like heroes?

There’s a lot that goes into successful fundraising, but most would agree good donor relationships are at the center of it.

Using any one or a combination of these ideas will lead to better relationships with your nonprofit community and will help you go above and beyond to express gratitude to your donors. 

Donors want to feel seen, valued, appreciated and acknowledged. And they want to feel like their gifts are making a difference to the mission they care about.

The key lies in making your donors feel like more than just wallets. It’s crucial to make your donors feel like the heroes of your organization, like part of the team.

Saying “thank you” to your donors frequently and consistently strengthens your relationship with them and provides everyone involved the energy and the drive needed to continue working together toward your common vision.

A part of a good donor experience is the donation process itself. If the donation process is slow, difficult, or confusing, your donors might get frustrated or even quit before completing the process.

That is where GiveForms comes in!

GiveForms can help you capitalize on all that social media engagement and raise funds by letting you seamlessly accept donations online. Your supporters can donate using a credit card, PayPal, Google Pay, or bank transfers. With a focus on intuitive, human-centered design, GiveForms goal is to help you increase your online donations.

When you use GiveForms, you gain access to a plethora of nonprofit-specific benefits : 

  • A customizable donation page optimized for mobile
  • Embeddable donation forms directly on your website
  • Donor dashboard to help you search, view and export your donations

Get up and running in only 15 minutes!

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Crafting the ideal donor thank you letter to boost retention.

Acquiring new donors is one of the greatest expenses in fundraising. It costs 10 times as much to acquire a new donor as it does to communicate with an existing one, yet few nonprofits even have a new donor welcome program.

It shows in our sector’s abysmal attrition of new donors.

According to the Fundraising Effectiveness Report , only 19% of new donors will give again after their first gift. However, once that donor makes a second gift 63% will give again.

How do we get that second gift? Two words: thank them!

But how? What should you say? What goes into a winning donor thank you letter ? Are there things you can say that will make them give again?

The Anatomy of a Perfect Donor Thank You Letter

[Today’s Date] 

[Name of Recipient]

[City, St Zip]

Dear [Name of Recipient],  

Dramatic opener [Start in the middle of the action, with a dramatic story, descriptive details, an unexpected narrator or donor centered compliment.]

i.e. “You just did a great thing.”

i.e. “You are a rare kind of generous.”

i.e. “You have no idea how much your help has meant.

Short impact story [Talk about how their gift met the need with descriptive details that take me to the action. If possible, use a photo, ideally a close-up image with the subject looking at the camera, and share a story about one person/animal who was helped.] 

i.e. “Your gift gives kids like Denzel hope. Denzel came to the Boys and Girls Club while his mom picked up extra shifts at the nursing home where she works as an RN. Unsure of what to do with her eight-year-old son while she worked, her neighbor suggested the Club.”

i.e.  “For Jenna, you are a lifeline. When she came to Lifeworks, she was a 17-year-old runaway fleeing her abusive boyfriend. Facing the holidays alone and pregnant, she had nowhere to turn.

Thanks to you, Jenna was welcomed into Lifeworks and found a haven in a cozy safe room of her own.

Because of your kindness, she got the therapy, medical care, and parenting classes she needed and delivered a happy, healthy baby boy.”

[Thank them] For responding so quickly and generously and share how their gift will be used.  

i.e. “Thanks to you Denzel is spending his summer learning new computer programming languages. He says wants to be a computer programmer when he grows up. With your help, he’ll be a great one!”

[Reflect on their kindness, compassion, loyalty, dedication, and/or big heart] 

i.e. “Your kindness and compassion supporting Denzel says everything there is to know about your generous and caring heart.”

Include your tax id #, gift amount, and date of the gift so it can serve as their tax receipt. 

i.e. For your tax records, your $500 donation to Lifeworks was received on December 15, 2020.

[Next step] Share when they will hear from you next to offer a preview of next interaction, 

i.e. You’ll hear updates from us in our monthly newsletter but please call me at (888) 321-4321 if you’d like to stop by the shelter and meet Mr. Pickles or one of our other amazing dogs or cats, and see your donation at work!

i.e. You’ll meet more kids like Jenna that you are helping in our email newsletter. Please email me, [email protected] or call me at (512) 452-1746 if you’d like to chat or see your gifts at work.

[Closing] i.e. “Warmly,” or if possible, use a mission infused closing i.e. “For the Love of Cats, For the Love of Music, For the Love of Film,”

[Signature] Ideally this is live or printed and if digital is scanned

[Typed Name] 

[Phone number] 

[P.S.] *Always use the P.S.  It can reinforce the thanks, be a special exclusive invite or just a reminder you are here for them whenever they have a question and to find your business card enclosed.

Always include your business card with the letter!

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Sample Phrases You Can Use to Thank Your Donors

Beginner , Donor Communication , Featured Donor Communication , Fundraising

February 5, 2018

By Jeremy Reis

Donors love it when you show appreciation for their support. So much so that 80% of donors say they would be motivated to make a second gift if the nonprofit thanked them. Unfortunately, many of us aren’t properly thanking nonprofit donors and this is negatively affecting our fundraising.

It’s expensive to acquire a new donor. If you don’t get that second gift, it often isn’t profitable. If nonprofit fundraising, you need to secure a second gift to make your acquisition dollars worth it. The chance of getting the third gift and beyond increases significantly once you’re able to secure the second gift. Getting a multi-donor requires building a great relationship with your donor.

But how do we say thanks?

Sometimes it’s difficult to transition from writing appeals to writing great thank you copy that truly shows appreciation. Here are several phrases you can use in your donor communications:

Your generous donation is helping end hunger in Atlanta and beyond.

Thanks to your generous support, we have a victory to celebrate! 

3,650. The number of meals you and other donors like you provided this Thanksgiving. On behalf of all the families who didn’t go to bed hungry this Thanksgiving, we thank you.

Thank you for making an investment into the future of arts in the community of Tallahassee. 

What you did to reach children this Christmas has been amazing! Your $35 gift helped clothe and feed a child this month. Thank you.

You’ve taken a stand for the hundreds of thousands of children who will go to bed hungry tonight.

You did it! You helped us reach our $350,000 goal to provide clean water to over 500 families in the Dominican Republic!

Thank you for your unwavering commitment to help lost pets find a new home. Your $50 donation is helping feed sheltered animals this month!

Without your support, we wouldn’t have reached our match goal. Your gift was matched to help even more single moms find job placement assistance and get onto the road to self sustainment.

Jim, thank you for your $100 donation to emergency relief. Right now, you are delivering emergency relief supplies to Puerto Rico and ensuring a family has shelter and clean water to drink.

YOU are changing the life of children this year by supporting the shelter building fund. When completed, the building will house 400 at-risk children and your donation is going to transform their lives and allow them to receive an education. Thank you for changing the life of children.

Your belief in Cornerstone Ministries has helped us do great work this year. Thank you for continuing to support the mission and for changing the lives of those we serve together.

Saying thank you to your donors is an essential part of the donor relationship development. To find great success with your nonprofit fundraising , you have to cultivate and build this relationship.

Want to learn more about showing gratitude to your donors to retain more donors?

We’ve created this video course for you to learn more about nurturing your donors. In this course , you’ll learn:

  • How to properly thank a donor when they give a gift
  • Developing a great email welcome series
  • Ideas for using premiums to increase donor retention
  • How a simple phone call can results in gifts and a lifelong donor relationship

Read more about the Nurturing Your Donors: Increase Retention with Gratitude course.

thank you for your donation speech

7 SECRETS TO A SUCCESSFUL MONTHLY GIVING PROGRAM

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Gratitude With Impact: 5 Ideas for Thanking Donors

thank you for your donation speech

 For fundraising professionals, it’s no secret that thanking donors is one of the most important actions your nonprofit takes to pursue its mission in a sustainable way. And this is more than just an oft-repeated recommendation; it’s also supported by data. According to Guidestar , donors who receive a thank-you within 48 hours of making a gift are four times more likely to give again.

Especially with the economic uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, donors won’t give again to your organization if they don’t feel appreciated or like they’ve made an impact. As you plan your fundraising strategy for 2021 , ensure you have a plan in place to recognize donors in a meaningful way.

By implementing donor appreciation strategies that resonate with your supporters, you can foster stronger relationships and encourage a deeper commitment to your cause.

At Eleven Fifty-Seven, we help organizations craft meaningful donor recognition experiences that support their long-term goals. Through our work, we’ve seen firsthand the importance of showing gratitude to donors in an impactful way. In this article, we’ll cover some of what we’ve learned, including:

  • The importance of thanking donors
  • 5 powerful ideas to thank donors

As you develop a donor recognition strategy that makes sense for your nonprofit, keep in mind that thanking your donors should always be prompt. Don’t let too much time pass between when each supporter makes a contribution and when you demonstrate your appreciation. The exact amount of time will differ depending on the size of the donation and the recognition strategy you implement, but sooner is always better than later.

The Importance of Thanking Donors

Donor appreciation should be one of the cornerstones of your fundraising strategy. Since the cost of acquiring a new donor is much higher than holding onto an existing one, donor retention is a vital priority to keep your budget on track.

Of course, there are many key elements to a donor retention strategy, including tracking demographics and engagement information in a donor management system and having regular conversations to steward your top contributors. 

But for ongoing stewardship and relationship-building to be successful, it’s critical to start on the right track and show your gratitude immediately after a gift is made. According to Bloomerang’s guide to donor retention , one of the top reasons donors lapse is that they weren’t thanked for their donation. By promptly sending thank-yous, you can avoid this negative consequence and boost your retention rate. 

While donor retention is a worthy goal unto itself, its real impact is in the long-term benefits for your organization, including the following:

  • Larger donations. Lower-tier donors may increase the size of their gifts, and most significantly, mid-level donors may ultimately become major donors. Remember, major gifts don’t come out of nowhere—they are typically the result of a multi-year relationship with your nonprofit.  
  • Higher lifetime value. This fundraising metric (often abbreviated as LTV) refers to the total amount a donor gives to your organization over time. Because this number takes into account the frequency of donations rather than just the size, it gives you a more accurate picture of the donor’s contributions. If you’re able to retain a donor over many years with regular donations, they may have a higher lifetime value than a major donor who movies less often.  
  • Increased engagement. Donors who feel connected to your organization financially will also feel encouraged to get involved in other ways. By thanking donors for their gifts, you can increase supporter engagement with other opportunities such as volunteering, events, or in-kind donations.

Plus, donors who feel appreciated will be more likely to champion your cause to their friends, family members, and other social connections, increasing awareness for your mission and work. This can also have a positive financial impact if you’re in the peer-to-peer fundraising space. Your most loyal supporters are the ones who will be the most driven to seek donations from their networks.

5 Powerful Ideas to Thank Donors

1. Send an acknowledgment letter or email

This donor recognition strategy is a classic for a reason—it works. If you’re using an online donation form, you likely have an automated acknowledgment email set up, but to really make an impact and show your supporters that you care, you’ll want to take it a step further. 

For a more personal touch, try to send a handwritten note on behalf of a specific person in your organization. Invite board members or your staff to join in on the thank-you process, perhaps as part of a retreat. 

These templates for donation thank-you letters can help you determine what to include in each message. One detail you should include to make a positive impact for your supporter is the specific, tangible result of the gift. If you can translate a dollar amount into a service or resource you were able to provide to constituents, your donor will be able to clearly visualize the difference they made. For example, a thank-you note from an animal shelter might say, “Your gift of $100 covered the costs of vaccines for two new puppies.” 2. Send branded thank-you gifts 

Consider sending a symbol of your gratitude in the form of a branded thank-you gift. These gifts can vary widely from small tokens to high-quality merchandise, depending on your relationship with the supporter. For example, you could send:

  • Silk scarves
  • Stickers, buttons, or car magnets

This strategy also has the additional benefit of increasing visibility and awareness of your nonprofit’s brand in the community. A friend or colleague who sees your logo on a supporter’s water bottle may strike up a conversation about where it came from, and who knows? That conversation just may lead to a new donation or volunteer sign-up, helping you gain a new supporter whose contributions will move your mission forward .

3. Host donor appreciation events

Another way to say thank you is to gather your supporters and celebrate everything you’ve been able to accomplish together. 

The sky's the limit when it comes to choosing a donor appreciation event. As long as you don’t charge for tickets, anything you would normally host as a fundraiser can also apply here. Just remember to keep the event’s focus on the donors and their generosity for your organization.

While you still need to abide by social distancing recommendations, it’s simple to host appreciation events in an online setting. Virtual event options may include:

  • Virtual happy hour
  • Virtual class (like cooking, painting, etc.)
  • Virtual gala
  • Virtual tour of your facilities

These events will help supporters cultivate relationships with each other in addition to with your organization. 

4. Share your appreciation online

In addition to communicating your appreciation to donors directly, it can be beneficial to recognize them publicly for their generosity. 

Before going this route, be sure to ask supporters about their privacy preferences. While many of your supporters will enjoy receiving accolades for their contributions, others may prefer to be kept anonymous. Never name or tag a donor in a public setting without first getting permission.

Consider the following digital donor recognition strategies:

  • Social media shoutouts. Spotlight a few key donors or volunteers with in-depth profiles on your social media feeds. Make sure you set the post as shareable so the supporter can re-post the content on their own feed.
  • Thank-you video. This might be a short thank-you speech on behalf of your executive director, or depending on the nature of your cause, you could include testimonials from beneficiaries.
  • Online donor wall. With an online donor wall, you create a dedicated digital space to show your gratitude. This can be a standalone page on your nonprofit’s website or part of your header or sidebar. 

Even as fundraising evolves beyond the COVID era , virtual donor recognition tactics ensure you can communicate your gratitude to supporters regardless of their geographic location. 5. Create a donor recognition wall

To create a permanent testament to your donors’ generosity, consider installing a donor recognition wall .

Traditionally, donor walls have been thought of as basic metal plaques full of supporter names. However, modern donor recognition displays can be beautiful, branded experiences that transform your space and delight visitors. In other words, today’s designers are thinking how to go “beyond the wall” to develop concepts that can tell a nonprofit’s story and honor supporters at the same time.

To create a meaningful donor wall, be sure to take into account who you’ll recognize and at what levels, the scale and budget of your wall, and the visual design. A donor recognition agency can provide helpful guidance throughout the entire strategy, design, and execution process.

In the Eleven Fifty Seven guide to creating a donor recognition wall , we also recommend thinking carefully about whether you’ll need to expand your display over time. If you plan to recognize new supporters each year, you can either leave plenty of room to add names or incorporate digital panels. When designed thoughtfully, expansions and updates to both new and existing displays can be simple and cost-effective.

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the significance of human connection in many ways. Ensure you’re saying connected with both new and longtime donors by reinvigorating your donor thank-you strategies. By showing your gratitude, you can demonstrate the impact each supporter has on your mission. Whether you choose to go big with a donor wall or stick to a handwritten note, saying thanks is more than a polite formality; it’s a key component of your fundraising strategy.

Derrick has been referred to as a connoisseur, marketing guru and even a prodigy. He began his career with Eleven Fifty-Seven as an intern during summer 2019. Since then, Derrick has graduated from The Ohio State University and has joined the team full time working in marketing and business development. He has grown to love the nonprofit world by seeing the impact made possible through philanthropy.

thank you for your donation speech

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Published In: Letters

Donation Thank you Letter (Samples & Examples)

In a study undertaken by philanthropy researcher Adrian Sargeant, donors revealed that one of the key reasons they stopped donating was that they were not thanked. In another study report, one of the top reasons donors offer to continue donating is receiving timely thanks. Gratefulness is powerful, and a handwritten thank-you letter continues to be one of the most useful ways to show it to the donor.

What is a Donation Thank You Letter?

A letter of gratitude expresses appreciation, acts as an acknowledgement, and seeks to establish a closer connection with the donor. Sending an appropriate thank-you letter could give your organization a good name and open doors to more donations.

Why Send a Donation Thank You Letter?

Sending thank you letters for donation have reasons behind them. They are:

Using customized thank-you letters and cards from people who benefit from your non-profit programs is a perfect way to connect your supporters directly to individuals whose contributions support. When donors see that their donations carry positive benefits, they will be pleased to contribute and be more likely to do so again.

Including a short timeline in the letter or email body will help donors know how their contributions will be used. Donors rarely like to donate to organizations without understanding how and where the funding will be used. 

One of the key reasons that organizations issue letters of appreciation is to raise their donor return rate. You won’t keep your supporters until you make it clear how they will continue to associate with your company.

Donors want to have a close connection with the non-profit agency. If your thank you letter or email applies to earlier donations, it indicates that your company acknowledges their efforts and appreciates the long-term friendship you have with that donor.

Elements and Structure

  • Craft your letter of gratitude carefully, ensuring you express appreciation while also describing how it will support your mission. Make sure you give personal information in your letter of gratitude, such as the donor’s name and the exact sum of the donation. Your contributors will know that you recognize their individual contributions, and you don’t just see them as one of the millions.
  • Answer the effect of a donation. As donors donate, it’s because they want to support people. That’s why it’s essential to explain your donation’s real effect on your constituents or your programming’s success. If you’re dealing with children, animals, or the aged, it’s a fantastic idea to share inspiring tales about people who have been influenced by the kindness of your donors.
  • Contact Information. It is crucial to provide a means for donors to address any questions or complaints about the organization as a whole or their donations. Let the reader know that your staff would love to hear from them and give them a straightforward path to get to you.
  • Closing. Make sure to sign a thank-you contribution from a person rather than an association as an institution. This adds to a more intimate feeling, like a letter written from one person to another. Try submitting letters from a leadership position such as the Executive Director to make the message stand out!

Points to Consider When Composing a Thank You Letter

Here are some key points that you should consider when writing a thank you letter for donation:

Remind them of what their donation has allowed you to do –  The technique you used to win your donors’ support is still important when you reach out to thank them for the truth. Instead of only giving a quick thank you, remind them of the work that their donation helps you to do, using your letter of thanks as an excuse to zoom in on unique projects. Don’t merely mirror the words you used in your promotional content. Link this gift to the job you’re doing right now.

Send your Thank You donation Letter as soon as possible . Aim to get your letters of thanks in the mail within 1 to 2 days of the donation. This indicates that you know the gift and that it has had an impact. It may seem shameful to reach out to donors too soon after their donation, but it is essential to respond in time. This tells the investor that you’re watching what’s going on with your organization and providing confidence that their money isn’t wasted.

Focus on saying “Thank you” –  A common misconception when charity organizations give letters of thanks is that they neglect the message’s purpose. The purpose of the thank you notes is obviously to thank the supporters and express them your gratitude. This isn’t a reminder to donate again. It’s just a thank you to the donors. It is essential to emphasize the personal thanks in the letter and show the donors the importance of their donation.

Make it personal – The notes should be intimate and reflect the actual feeling. Do not be afraid to use a familiar tone or exclamation points where necessary. I think your thank you letter should be genuine. The note should also be presented directly to the donor. A first name is not necessarily mandatory, so please don’t use a general greeting. This ambiguous opening will interfere with any personal link you’re trying to create.

Offer special appreciation to your frequent donors –   If this individual donor has a history of donating to your organization, it is valuable to them when you mention your gratitude. You may say it is the letter itself, provide a sample paragraph below, or you may also mention it in a personal, handwritten note at the bottom of the letter.

Keep your notes short –   Thank you. It’s helpful to keep the length of the letter manageable. This is because the only thing you need to express is the appreciation and the impact of the gift. Any additional detail could make the letter seem like a challenge to read and dissuade the donors from donating again. If you can’t handwrite each note, be sure to include a real signature.

If you can’t handwrite each note, ensure you include a real signature . Your letter of thanks can always be sealed with an actual signature. This adds the personal touch demonstrating that the real person took the time to sign the message.

Tips about Writing a Thank You Letter for Donation

When writing a thank-you letter for donation; you want to make sure that your letter sends the right message. Here are some tips that you should consider when writing:

Being quick to reply will play a part in getting more donations

If someone donates to your fundraiser, think of it as the beginning of a discussion. A prompt letter or card of appreciation shows your devotion to the cause and is thankful for the support you have already earned. Don’t take days to reach out—if you should, follow up with the donors and give a letter of thanks within two days hours of receiving each donation.

Being sincere will motivate people to give

Instead of saying “thank you” to donors, find ways to make letters of thanks come to life. Adding an inspiring quote that is important to your fundraiser or giving a short personal tale about the experience you’ve had to make it memorable. The more details you can give and the more concise you are in your notes, the more your donors feel about helping your cause. Remember, your letter or email doesn’t have to be lengthy.

Show the donors how their contributions are being used

A significant part of your letter of appreciation should show how the gift benefits you. Show supporters that their funding is going to be used properly. Provide an overview of what each donation has helped you do.

Add a special touch

Simple thank you letters will harm the partnerships you have formed with your sponsors. Use a few simple schemes to make them feel special, no matter how much they donate. Instead of dwelling on the amount, it should be stressed that their donation’s importance is above monetary value. This helps you to draw the right attention to your cause and to thank the donors. Here are some of the best strategies to keep in mind.

Revise your letter

A perfect way to make sure your donation is well received, read it out loud before submitting it.  You want your letter of thanks to sound informal and polite, but make sure it’s both thoughtful.  Spell-Check everything you’re saying.

Should I use Direct Mails or Email Thank You Letters?

The dilemma of whether to give your thanks via email or direct mail can be a challenging one.  Online donating has grown significantly as everybody, including older generations, is becoming interactive. But if you think you can send an email to thank you and yet develop donor loyalty, you’re probably mistaken. Even if we’re in a digital environment, an online donor will always appreciate a mailed letter of thanks.

For most of your donation letters, email is likely to be the most reliable and cost-effective process. However, if you get confused between the two approaches, it may be smart to contact the donors and ask them how they prefer to be involved.

Bear in mind that beautiful gifts should be remembered with more intimate approaches, such as handwritten notes. If you don’t have the time to compose these letters, don’t forget that you can call someone on the phone to thank them.

Sample of Thank You For Your Donation Letters

Dear Brent,

Thank you for your generous contribution to Kingston Foundations. We’re thrilled to receive your encouragement. Via your donation, we have reached a total sum of 2,000,000and continue to strive towards supporting orphans. You do make a difference for us, and we’re immensely thankful to you!

Your donation is going to Kingston Foundations today. For inquiries about the use of your donation or our organization, please feel free to contact Teddy via 657 567 8955  

Teddy White

We make a difference together! Your continuing enthusiasm for our cause is profoundly pleasing to us, and we hope it is the same for you. We are honored to see that you’ve decided to raise your contribution this February 2020. Your gift has already begun to send more children to school.

Feel free to contact Kingsley at 233 557 7769 if you have any specific questions. We’d love to thank you again, and deepest thanks, warmest wishes.

Kingston Foundations

Free Downloads (Samples & Templates)

One of the most critical messages of any charitable fundraiser or funding campaign is the Donation Thank You Note. Funds raising is all about partnerships, and keeping those relationships safe is key to potential fundraising success. A customized thank you is the best way to express gratitude to your donors. Feel free to download thank you for donation letter templates from our website. They are easy to use and will win you more donors.

Donation Thank-you-Letter-Sample-01_

• Description of the first person: the first person means the speaker. • Description of the second person: the second person implies the addressee. • The first person is the viewpoint of the I/we. • The second voice is you/your viewpoint.

Start your message with the name of the donor. First names are powerful, so use them, like “Dear Angie” or “Dear Eric and Lena.”

Using the “you” second person and the “I” first-person and the “we,” address the letter to the full name of the donor. Include the sum of the contribution and the date it was given.

The burden to find donors can be exhausting, but you will see dramatic effects on the overall fundraising campaign by keeping in touch with donors. The simple act of writing a heartfelt contribution thank you letter is a simple way to prove that your company cares not just about your project but also about the donors who make your job possible.

These notes change the attention from emphasizing your organization to the positive that your donor is doing by donating to your organization. This takes home a sense of pride and satisfaction to the investor, which will keep them involved in the company for years to come.

Related Documents

donation thank you letter sample

Hello Greeting

Thank You Messages For Donation – Thank your Donor with Professional Messages

Thank You Messages For Donation: Donating is truly an admirable gesture, and when you find yourself on the receiving end, it becomes your responsibility to express sincere gratitude to the donor. Sending a genuine thank-you note after receiving a donation serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it demonstrates to the donor that their kindness is deeply appreciated. Secondly, it fosters a stronger relationship between the donor and your organization, thereby increasing the likelihood of receiving additional funds in the future. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, it serves as inspiration for the donor to continue engaging in such compassionate acts. Therefore, it is crucial to remember to send thank you messages for donation. Below, you will find various ideas on how to express gratitude to donors in different circumstances, such as donations to schools, churches, and funerals, as well as donations of food, money, and blood.

Thank You Messages For Donation

Thank You Messages For Donation:

  • 1 Thank You Messages For Donation:
  • 2 Thank You Messages For Financial Donation:
  • 3 Thank You Messages For Donation To School:
  • 4 Thank You Message For Donation To Church:
  • 5 Thank You Messages For Donation Of Food:
  • 6 Thank You Messages For Funeral Donation:
  • 7 Thank You Messages For Blood Donors:
  • 8 Thank You Messages For Donation To Temple:
  • 9 Conclusion (Final Words)
  • 10 10 Points – Why is it Important to Say Thank you for Donations?
  • Your donation is truly appreciated. It will make a significant impact on our cause. Thank you for your generosity.
  • We are grateful for your donation. Your support helps us continue our important work. Thank you for making a difference.
  • Thank you for your kind donation. Your contribution means a lot to us and the people we serve. We are truly grateful.
  • Your generosity is inspiring. Thank you for your donation and for believing in our mission.
  • We want to express our sincere appreciation for your donation. Your support enables us to create positive change. Thank you.
  • Thank you for your generous donation. Your contribution will help us reach our goals and make a lasting impact.
  • We extend our heartfelt thanks for your donation. Your support helps us continue our vital work. Thank you for your kindness.
  • We are grateful for your donation. Your generosity will help us make a difference in the lives of many. Thank you.
  • Thank you for your thoughtful donation. Your support means a great deal to us and those we serve.
  • Your donation is deeply appreciated. Thank you for your generosity and for being a part of our cause.

Thank You Messages For Financial Donation

Thank You Messages For Financial Donation:

  • We want to express our sincere gratitude for your financial donation. Your support helps us achieve our goals. Thank you.
  • Thank you for your generous financial contribution. Your support means a lot to us and will be put to good use.
  • Your financial donation is greatly appreciated. Thank you for helping us make a positive impact in our community.
  • We are thankful for your financial donation. Your generosity helps us continue our important work. Thank you.
  • Thank you for your financial contribution. Your support enables us to pursue our mission and bring about change.
  • We extend our heartfelt thanks for your financial donation. Your support makes a real difference. Thank you.
  • Your financial donation is invaluable to us. Thank you for your generosity and for believing in our cause.
  • Thank you for your generous financial contribution. Your support helps us create a better future.
  • We are grateful for your financial donation. Your generosity allows us to continue serving those in need. Thank you.
  • Thank you for your financial support. Your donation helps us make a positive impact and change lives.

Thank You Messages For Donation To School

Thank You Messages For Donation To School:

  • Thank you for your generous donation to our school. Your support helps us provide quality education to our students.
  • We want to express our sincere appreciation for your donation to our school. Your contribution is invaluable to us.
  • Your donation to our school is greatly appreciated. Thank you for investing in the education of our students.
  • Thank you for your kind donation to our school. Your support helps us create a nurturing learning environment.
  • We extend our heartfelt thanks for your donation to our school. Your generosity benefits our students greatly.
  • Your donation to our school means a lot to us. Thank you for helping us provide educational opportunities.
  • We are grateful for your donation to our school. Your support helps us enhance our programs and facilities.
  • Thank you for your generous donation to our school. Your contribution will positively impact our students’ lives.
  • Your donation to our school is deeply appreciated. Thank you for investing in the future of our students.
  • We want to express our sincere gratitude for your donation to our school. Your support is truly meaningful.

Thank You Message For Donation To Church :

  • Thank you for your donation to our church. Your support helps us fulfill our mission and serve our community.
  • We are grateful for your generous donation to our church. Your contribution enables us to make a difference.
  • Your donation to our church is greatly appreciated. Thank you for supporting our spiritual community.
  • Thank you for your kind donation to our church. Your generosity helps us carry out our sacred work.
  • We extend our heartfelt thanks for your donation to our church. Your support helps us spread love and faith.
  • Your donation to our church means a lot to us. Thank you for being a part of our worshiping community.
  • We are grateful for your donation to our church. Your support helps us provide spiritual guidance and support.
  • Thank you for your generous donation to our church. Your contribution helps us create a welcoming space for all.
  • Your donation to our church is deeply appreciated. Thank you for helping us strengthen our congregation.
  • We want to express our sincere gratitude for your donation to our church. Your support is truly valued.

Thank You Messages For Donation Of Food:

  • Thank you for your donation of food. Your generosity helps us combat hunger in our community.
  • We are grateful for your kind donation of food. Your support helps us provide meals to those in need.
  • Your donation of food is greatly appreciated. Thank you for helping us nourish the hungry.
  • Thank you for your generous donation of food. Your contribution helps us make a difference in people’s lives.
  • We extend our heartfelt thanks for your donation of food. Your support brings hope and sustenance to many.
  • Your donation of food means a lot to us. Thank you for helping us fight food insecurity in our community.
  • We are grateful for your donation of food. Your support enables us to serve nutritious meals to those in need.
  • Thank you for your generous donation of food. Your contribution helps us provide essential nourishment.
  • Your donation of food is deeply appreciated. Thank you for your compassion and for feeding the hungry.
  • We want to express our sincere gratitude for your donation of food. Your support helps us make a positive impact.

Thank You Messages For Funeral Donation:

  • Thank you for your donation in memory of our loved one. Your support brings comfort during this difficult time.
  • We are grateful for your kind donation to honor our departed. Your contribution helps us celebrate their life.
  • Your funeral donation is greatly appreciated. Thank you for your support and sympathy during our loss.
  • Thank you for your generous donation in memory of our loved one. Your contribution helps us honor their legacy.
  • We extend our heartfelt thanks for your funeral donation. Your support eases the burden and brings solace.
  • Your donation during this time of mourning means a lot to us. Thank you for your kindness and support.
  • We are grateful for your funeral donation. Your generosity helps us create a meaningful tribute to our loved one.
  • Thank you for your generous donation in memory of our loved one. Your support is deeply appreciated.
  • Your donation during this difficult time is deeply appreciated. Thank you for your thoughtfulness and compassion.
  • We want to express our sincere gratitude for your funeral donation. Your support helps us find healing and solace.

Thank You Messages For Blood Donors:

  • Thank you for donating blood. Your selfless act helps save lives and brings hope to those in need.
  • We are grateful for your blood donation. Your generosity helps ensure a stable blood supply for patients.
  • Your blood donation is greatly appreciated. Thank you for being a lifesaver and making a difference.
  • Thank you for your selfless donation of blood. Your support helps us provide critical medical care.
  • We extend our heartfelt thanks for your blood donation. Your contribution helps sustain and heal lives.
  • Your blood donation means a lot to us. Thank you for giving the gift of life and making a positive impact.
  • We are grateful for your blood donation. Your generosity helps us support patients and their families.
  • Thank you for your generous blood donation. Your contribution is invaluable and saves lives.
  • Your donation of blood is deeply appreciated. Thank you for your kindness and for being a donor.
  • We want to express our sincere gratitude for your blood donation. Your support helps us make a real difference.

Thank You Messages For Donation To Temple :

  • Thank you for your donation to our temple. Your support helps us maintain and preserve our sacred space.
  • We are grateful for your kind donation to our temple. Your contribution helps us continue our spiritual practices.
  • Your donation to our temple is greatly appreciated. Thank you for helping us serve our community.
  • Thank you for your generous donation to our temple. Your support enables us to carry out religious ceremonies and rituals.
  • We extend our heartfelt thanks for your donation to our temple. Your contribution helps us foster spiritual growth.
  • Your donation to our temple means a lot to us. Thank you for supporting our religious and cultural traditions.
  • We are grateful for your donation to our temple. Your generosity helps us provide a place of worship and solace.
  • Thank you for your generous donation to our temple. Your contribution helps us strengthen our religious community.
  • Your donation to our temple is deeply appreciated. Thank you for your devotion and commitment to our spiritual heritage.
  • We want to express our sincere gratitude for your donation to our temple. Your support helps us maintain our sacred traditions and teachings.

Conclusion (Final Words)

In the end, expressing gratitude through thank you messages for donation is a powerful way to acknowledge the generosity of individuals who have made a positive impact on various causes and organizations. These messages serve as a heartfelt token of appreciation, recognizing the significant role that donors play in supporting meaningful endeavors.

By conveying sincere thanks for donations, we not only acknowledge the financial or material contributions but also convey the profound impact they have on the beneficiaries. Such messages help build stronger relationships between donors and organizations, fostering a sense of connectedness and shared purpose.

The messages should be concise, yet convey genuine gratitude and emphasize the value of the donation. Whether it is a financial donation, a donation to a school, church, temple, or even a contribution of food, each donor deserves recognition for their selflessness and support.

In a world where acts of kindness and giving are greatly needed, thank you messages for donations remind us of the collective power we possess to create positive change. These expressions of gratitude strengthen the bond between donors and recipients, ensuring that their contributions continue to make a difference in the lives of those in need.

10 Points – Why is it Important to Say Thank you for Donations?

10 Points – Why is it Important to Say Thank you for Donations?

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75 Thank You for the Donation Messages and Quotes

Here is a list of 75 thank you for the donation messages and quotes to let them know how much their contribution means to you and your cause.

#1 Some people only give during the holidays because it makes them feel good. You’ve given when we needed your financial support the most no matter when it is, and for that, we thank you.

#2 Knowing that we are in a time of financial instability, your donation is extra special to us. Thank you for your generous financial support during this tumultuous time.

#3 There are people who don’t donate because they assume everyone else is, and there are those who take up the torch and run with it. Thank you for being the latter, and for your kind and heartwarming donation.

#4 You are the special type of person that changes lives, lifts people up, and makes the world a better place. Thank you for your donation and your association with our cause.

#5 We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us, and your donation has made it that much easier to get things done and thrust us forward. We thank you for your support and for your desire to help us succeed in this venture.

#6 They say that money can’t buy you love, and that’s a fact. However, you have shown your love for others through your donation. Thank you for creating a way to help so many people.

#7 You are one of the most extraordinarily supportive people that I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Not only is your donation an amazing help, but it also goes to show what a big and kind heart you have.

#8 People like you are an inspiration to all. Thank you for this generous act of giving. Today, your donation is a gift that could not be appreciated more.

#9 Donations from wildly respectful, generous, and big-hearted people like you make me keep doing what I’m doing. You are the fuel to my fire, and I could not be more grateful than I am for you now in this moment. Truly, thank you.

#10 You have worked hard for the money that you donated to us. We appreciate it and are thankful. Words are fleeting, and we want you to know that a simple “thank you” doesn’t do justice to how deeply we appreciate your support.

#11 With each donation we receive, we become all that much closer to our goal. Thank you for making a difference through your compassion and generosity.

#12 Individuals like you are not only a joy to interact with and to be around, but also you are an inspiration. Thank you so much for being so refreshingly loving and giving as a person.

#13 It’s because of the generosity of people like you that we can do anything at all. For this, we thank you and greatly appreciate your support.

#14 You are clearly a gentle and compassionate human being. Today your donation showed that to be most evident. Thank you for being an honest and generous person.

#15 Thank you for your most generous donation! We are so fortunate to have caught the attention of people like you with large warm hearts.

#16 Thank you ever so much for your generous and kind donation. Your selfless nature is very much evident as a result of your thoughtfulness.

#17 My appreciation for your wholehearted donation goes beyond what words can describe, thank you! I feel humbled by your altruism and generosity.

#18 Your donation is very prized and will forever be held in high regard in my memory. I really cannot thank you enough.

#19 Thank you infinitely for your donation. I appreciate it more than anything else, and I hope to match your immense generosity with my utter gratefulness.

#20 You have been extremely kind-hearted today in your donation. I couldn’t be more thankful and thrilled about such a generous act.

#21 Your donation goes above and beyond what I could have ever hoped to imagine. Sincerely, thank you for all of your incredible help.

#22 Actions speak louder than words, and today you have shown this to be the absolute truth. The action of your donation evokes my utmost gratitude.

#23 Today, your donation helps in unspeakable ways. My gratitude goes out to you for now and forever. Thank you from the very bottom of my heart.

#24 I hope more people in this world are as phenomenally altruistic and compassionate as you have shown to be on this day. I will look up to you from this day forth and hope to follow in your example.

#25 I admire your selflessness and willingness to help others. From the depths of my heart, thank you so much for this exceptional donation.

#26 The helping hand that you have held out today, in the form of your donation, will forever be remembered with sheer gratefulness. I wish to say thank you over and over again.

#27 Your donation today and your help inspire others to donate tomorrow. Thank you for being such a magnificent leader and a shining example to all.

#28 Your donation allows us to excel. Thank you for helping to be our driving force. We are in genuine need of more extraordinary people like you. Thank you endlessly.

#29 From the deepest depths of my being, thank you for your thoughtful donation. I respect and admire your decision to donate so selflessly.

#30 Your help will not go unnoticed. Your donation will not go unappreciated. You have forever secured a spot in my heart. I couldn’t describe how indebted I feel towards you for your donation.

#31 We want to thank you for your financial support as we blaze ahead to fulfill our common goal. We can only do it because of kind people like you!

#32 Most people already know that it’s better to give than to receive. However, you’ve shown that few know it as you do, and we thank you for it!

#33 Your donation is extremely important to our cause, and we’d like to thank you for your participation. Your gift will help to make dreams come true.

#34 You heard the call for help and answered it magnificently. Thank you for your financial gift, and for your willingness to help us move forward.

#35 We would humbly like to extend our thanks to you for your willingness to provide us with financial support. Your donation is greatly appreciated.

#36 Generosity such as yours is an infrequent find these days. I want to thank you for your donation, and let you know how rare of an individual you are.

#37 Your support helped us to get all that much closer to achieving that which we’ve set out to do. We thank you and wholeheartedly appreciate your involvement.

#38 Only people with large hearts and kind intentions make donations such as yours. Thank you so much, and we’ll do with it exactly what you expect us to do with it.

#39 Thank you for your most generous, continued, and vital support. We can’t do it without you, and we greatly appreciate your willingness to be a helping hand.

#40 Our hearts have been touched by your readiness to fill the gap where it needs to be filled. Thank you for your donation and your significant help.

The Most Famous Quotes to Include with Your Thank You for the Donation Message

“Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.” James Matthew Barrie

“There is nothing more beautiful than someone who goes out of their way to make life beautiful for others.” Mandy Hale

“Then give to the world the best you have. And the best will come back to you.” Madeline Bridges

“True beauty is born through our actions and aspirations and in the kindness we offer to others.” Alek Wek

“A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees.” Amelia Earhart

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” Dr. Seuss

“Real living is living for others.” Bruce Lee

“A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal.” Steve Maraboli

“Three things in human life are important. The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. And the third is to be kind.” Henry James

“Service to humanity is service to God.” Lailah Gifty Akita

“What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.” Albert Pike

“Life is an exciting business, and most exciting when it is lived for others.” Helen Keller

“Be the change you wish you wish to see in the world.” Mahatma Gandhi

“An effort made for the happiness of others lifts us above ourselves.” Lydia M. Child

“Everywhere in life, the true question is not what we gain, but what we do.” Thomas Carlyle

“The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.” Oscar Wilde

“Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference. They bless the one who receives them, and they bless you, the giver.” Barbara De Angelis

“To me, there are saints every day. They stand up and help others and live for others and do things for others.” Theodore Melfi

“By becoming the answer to someone’s prayer, we often find the answers to our own.” Dieter F. Uchtdorf

The Best Bible Verses to Include with Your Thank You for the Donation Message

1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Hebrews 13:16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

1 Corinthians 10:24 No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.

Proverbs 11:25 A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

Galatians 6:2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Psalm 112:5 Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice.

2 Corinthians 9:11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

John 13:34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

Proverbs 22:9 The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.

Proverbs 19:17 Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.

Hebrews 6:10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.

Acts 20:35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Luke 6:38 “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Matthew 6:19-21 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

1 John 3:16–18 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

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Thank You for the Donation Messages and Quotes

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COMMENTS

  1. 35 Sincere Donation Thank You Message Examples

    13. Your donation makes a world of difference. For now and forever, my heartfelt thanks go out to you. Thank you very much, and for that, you may have more blessings to come. 14. Your selflessness and willingness to assist others are admirable. Thank you so much for donating from the bottom of my heart. 15.

  2. 'Thank You for Your Donation': 10 Example Emails and 30 Phrases

    Greeting: Address the donor by name or use a friendly salutation, like "Dear [Donor's Name].". Express gratitude: Thank your donor for their specific contribution. For example, "Thank you for your generous $50 donation.". Share the impact: Describe how their donation will be used and how it will benefit your cause.

  3. How to Write the Perfect Thank You Message for Donors

    Best Practices for Writing the Perfect Thank You Message for Donors. Every donor is different and may require a different approach, but the best practices listed below can take any thank you message to the next level. 1. Be timely. Make sure to send your thank you promptly; within a week of a donation is ideal timing.

  4. 20 "Thank You for Donation" Quotes to Convey Your Gratitude

    1. "Thank you so much for your donation. Your generosity means everything to us and to the community we serve.". 2. "We know you have a lot of choices when it comes to donating, and we are so grateful that you chose to donate to our cause. We promise to be responsible stewards of both your donation and your trust.". 3.

  5. How to Write The BEST Thank-You Letter for Donations (+3 ...

    This letter from water.org shows the impact of a gift by quickly telling the story of Anisa, and how access to clean water changed her life. 5. Be warm and friendly. Receiving a thank you for your donation should feel good. Keep the tone warm and friendly, not stiff and formal.

  6. Top 10 Donation Thank-You Letter Examples

    Thanks for Specific Donation. Specific Impact of Donation. Additional Information or Story (Optional) Repeated Thanks. Close With Sender's Name. Top 10 Donor Thank-You Letter Examples. 1. A Thank-You From an Organization to a Donor. 2.

  7. 11 Unique Thank-You Letters for Donations (Templates and Best Tips)

    Event Attendee. Event attendance is a common type of nonprofit support. Online fundraising platforms allow nonprofits to send automated tax receipts after individuals purchase tickets or register for an event, but that shouldn't be the only donor communication with event attendees. Thank you emails and texts can be a quick and easy way to start forming relationships with these donors.

  8. How To Write A Great Thank-You Letter For Donations

    How To Write A Nonprofit Thank-You Letter For Donations. 1. The introduction. The first step in a compelling donation thank-you letter is the introduction. This is generally the part where you salute and address your donor. It may sound simple, but there's some magic to this part of the letter as well.

  9. Tips and Techniques for Writing an Impactful Donor Thank You Letter

    Thank you SO MUCH for your generous donation of $250 to the Seed Library Initiative! Donors like you help keep our mission of feeding our community's most vulnerable neighbors alive. Because of your $250 donation, we will be able to bring in 50 new types of plants into our community garden. Each of these plants should be able to feed a family ...

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    If your organization has received funds or any other kind of support, we've got a series of thank you for your donation letter examples you can use to send your own note. Send customized thank you notes in minutes. Postable will print, address, and mail them for you. Use code THNKS and get 20% off.

  11. How to Write a Donation Thank-You Note (With Template)

    Use clear, concise language. Include impactful statistics or a poignant anecdote, but avoid the temptation to share every single achievement or data point. The thank you note should leave the donor with a clear, uplifting sentiment of their positive impact, not confusion. 3.

  12. 31 Short Thank You Messages For the Donations

    Many hands make for light work. #5 Thank you for being an ongoing monthly donor. Having monthly donations helps us with the budget as we can plan a bit better. This past year, we have provided used cars to three families and cover their auto insurance for one year. #6 Thank you for your donation to [Organization].

  13. How to Write a Great Thank You Script (With an Example Script)

    1. Start by expressing your gratitude. The first step in writing a great thank you script is to express your gratitude. Show your donors just how thankful you are for their support. Remember, they are taking time out of their day to support your cause, so make sure that you let them know just how much their support means to you. You can do this ...

  14. How to Write a Donation Thank-You Letter + Template

    Writing a compelling introduction is important if you want your donor to read the rest of your message. First, make sure the salutation is as personal as possible. Avoid addressing your thank-you letter to a "Dear friend" or "Valued supporter.". Use their name! Then, express your gratitude for their support.

  15. How to write a donation thank you letter

    First we have to thank them, and then tell them the impact their money had.". Make your donor the hero in the story of your organization. 2. Send your donation Thank You letters as soon as possible. Aim on getting your thank you letters in the mail within 1 to 2 days after the donation.

  16. 15 Sincere Ways to Say Thank You to Your Donors

    4. Celebrate the donor. Focus on the donor when speaking about the impact, and less so on your organization. Donors should feel like the enablers of your work, because that's exactly what they are. A simple way to begin doing this is to use "you" and "your" in your communication instead of "we" or "I.".

  17. How To Write The Perfect Donor Thank You Letter

    i.e. "Your kindness and compassion supporting Denzel says everything there is to know about your generous and caring heart.". Include your tax id #, gift amount, and date of the gift so it can serve as their tax receipt. i.e. For your tax records, your $500 donation to Lifeworks was received on December 15, 2020.

  18. Sample Phrases You Can Use to Thank Your Donors

    Jim, thank you for your $100 donation to emergency relief. Right now, you are delivering emergency relief supplies to Puerto Rico and ensuring a family has shelter and clean water to drink. YOU are changing the life of children this year by supporting the shelter building fund. When completed, the building will house 400 at-risk children and ...

  19. Gratitude With Impact: 5 Ideas for Thanking Donors

    1. Send an acknowledgment letter or email. This donor recognition strategy is a classic for a reason—it works. If you're using an online donation form, you likely have an automated acknowledgment email set up, but to really make an impact and show your supporters that you care, you'll want to take it a step further.

  20. Donation Thank you Letter (Samples & Examples)

    Start your message with the name of the donor. First names are powerful, so use them, like "Dear Angie" or "Dear Eric and Lena.". How to include the donation amount and the date it was given. Using the "you" second person and the "I" first-person and the "we," address the letter to the full name of the donor.

  21. 80+ Best Thank You Messages For Donation to express Gratitude

    We are grateful for your donation. Your generosity will help us make a difference in the lives of many. Thank you. Thank you for your thoughtful donation. Your support means a great deal to us and those we serve. Your donation is deeply appreciated. Thank you for your generosity and for being a part of our cause.

  22. 75 Thank You for the Donation Messages and Quotes

    Sincerely, thank you for all of your incredible help. #22 Actions speak louder than words, and today you have shown this to be the absolute truth. The action of your donation evokes my utmost gratitude. #23 Today, your donation helps in unspeakable ways. My gratitude goes out to you for now and forever.

  23. Thank You Sample Letters to Donors for a School: Top Formats and Tips

    Here are a few tips to help you write the perfect thank you letter to your school's donors: 1. Personalize the letter: Address the donor by name and include details about their specific donation. It shows interest and appreciation. 2. Be timely: Send the thank you letter within a week or two of receiving the donation.

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