1. There Has to Be a Better Way!
Acknowledging and Thanking Our
Donors
Lynne M. Wester
Planet Philanthropy 2013

2. Road Map for Success
• Basics of a program
• How to re-level your leadership program
• Best practices
• How to speed up turnaround
• Tips and tricks

3. A Sad Reality

4. The Basics
• Brevity
• Clarity
• Greetings and Salutations
• Repeat Gifts

5. Re Leveling Your Program
PRES
VP
DOD
CARD or FORM
Who signs the
letter??

6. Numbers and Sense
350 or
less
700 or less
1200 or less
A gagillion!!
How many
should I write
per calendar
or fiscal year??

7. Best Practices
• 8-10 sentences
• Receipt and Acknowledgment are NOT the
same
• Hand signed is best, no machines please
• Acknowledgment Swaps

8. Our Sample

9. Don’t let the process stall your
message to donors!
• How many times do you print a letter?
• How many people NEED to see it?
• What can YOU do to help?
• Reoccurring gifts…

10. Digital Storage

11. Our System

12. Digital vs. Print
• Thank in kind, let the medium speak

13. Digital Sharing

14. Tips and Tricks
• Contact reports are key to personal letters
• Just remember to think as a problem solver
when handling acknowledgments
• Make friends with your Data team
• Take a deep breath…

15. Questions?
• Thank you!!
• wester@yu.edu
• www.donorrelationsguru.com
• Friend me on Facebook
• Connect with me on LinkedIn
• Follow me on Twitter @donorguru