One key to adding dollars to your offering plate is to be thankful for your donors. I once was asked to write letters for a pastor. When I showed him my thank you letter for his recent capital campaign he remarked that he had felt it inappropriate saying thank you since people should give. When I told my wife the story she remarked, “When is showing gratitude inappropriate?” Indeed. As we in America pause this week for Thanksgiving I wanted to take an opportunity to write about a key means of increasing giving, showing thanks to your donors.
I certainly believe that Christians OUGHT to give. We are commanded. Giving is not an option. It should be something we want to do not something we feel we have to do. We should be generous and yet our flesh gets in the way. Yet even as I believe that we are required to give I still think it is a good idea to thank your donors.
Successful giving churches have a yearlong thanks strategy, do you? I have worked with and put together for our client churches the following kinds of thank notes and letters. Here are just a few ideas of times and groups that you should thank. Spend time thanking…
- First time donors. Saying thanks will help them see that you value them and that their gift is not simply lost among all the others.
- First time online donors. My goal is to drive more giving online and thus increase giving. Recognizing first time givers and saying thank you lets you highlight recurring giving.
- Top end donors. I advise that periodically throughout the year you should write cards to your top and consistent donors that simply says thanks.
- All donors in every giving statement sent out. I advise quarterly statements and that each statement contain a letter or card expressing thanks.
Express thanks during the offering time. Finally I think you should on a regular basis from the platform express your thanks to your donors. Let them know that their gift matters for what the church does and that it matters to you. Say thank you!
A thank you is the most positive reminder of giving! I want you to show gratitude to your donors but at the same time when you do that it is the most positive reminder of giving. Saying thanks reminds your donors that their gift matters. Saying thanks gives them a better feel for giving and paves the way for future gifts.
We do what we do for the Kingdom. Yet all of us love to be thanked. So thank your donors!
Oh, and while I am on the subject, thank you for reading my posts! I truly appreciate the opportunity to pour into your life and ministry. I wish for you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving!
Mark Brooks – The Stewardship Coach