Do you really make it worth your donors' money to give to you? That's the question at a recent post at Queer Ideas: Why giving to charity can be like buying a Polaris submarine. (You'll have to go read the post to learn how a submarine comes into this topic.)
The point is this: Most of the time, what happens after a donor gives to a nonprofit is just not all that cool:
Instead of being invited to be part of something life changing, I get a polite and formal letter that informs me that my money has gone in to a big pot and will do something good, somewhere at some point in the future.
What could you do to really thrill your donors, to make them feel the importance of their giving?
What would make them say "Giving that gift was the best thing I've done in a long time!"
What would make them feel more powerful, more connected, more happy about their life?
If you aren't doing that, you really aren't a fundraiser yet.
Think about it.
Jeff Brooks, creative director at 
Great point. I recently blogged on subject of thank you letters http://clairification.blogspot.com/2012/01/what-would-miss-manners-say-thank-you.html and agree it's the most important tool in our arsenal. Thanks!
Posted by: Claire Axelrad | 24 January 2012 at 13:38
While the truth is likely that the donation is going to a large pot, it is equally as useful to let the donor know what his/her $25 donation could be doing, i.e. with $25 you can send 2 kids to school for a month, or provide medical screenings for a woman and her family. Being transparent in that regard gives the donor the feeling that a) their money is being used and b) their money is needed specific people.
Posted by: WINGS Guatemala | 24 January 2012 at 14:19
VERY IMPORTANT TOPIC FOR PEOPLE TO PONDER ON!
Posted by: Jason Shechtman | 24 January 2012 at 16:23