As development and communications consultants, we love Valentine’s Day. It’s a reminder to show appreciation to your funders and friends all year long. XO

Here are some ways to acknowledge your donors:

Celebrate anniversaries! Retain longtime sponsors and supporters by acknowledging their support.

Send a handwritten “love note” to board members, donors, in-kind contributors, and super volunteers telling them just how much they help you serve your mission. This thank you image is from Girl Be Heard.

Share an enews with your donors thanking them for their support and include artwork or a message from a client or constituent. Click below to see a sample thank-you video by Theo Cote for La MaMa.

Post a social media message specifically thanking your staff, donors, friends, and followers for their commitment. Have some fun with a gif, like this one from Hip Hop Public Health:

Other fun ideas:

Send an engagement post card encouraging your stakeholders to view your new video, follow you on LinkedIn, volunteer, donate, etc. (Click here to see some sample engagement post cards.)

Create a shareable social media postcard: “ABC Nonprofit is changing the world by ____. Watch their video today and learn more about how you can join me in helping their cause. Share the love and repost! ❤️”

Create a graphic email or social media, with links to the donation page, that donors can easily forward: “I LOVE and support ABC Nonprofit because they ___. ❤️ Please show your love and kindness. Click here to donate today.”

On your website,celebrate with a one-day pop-up window that says “Show Your Love: Donate Today or Volunteer Online” with links to your donate page and your volunteer calendar of events.

Call and ask key supporters to engage on a passion project: join your benefit host committee, host a friendraiser, join your strategic planning task force, etc.

Call or email to acknowledge a lapsed donor and tell them you value them and ask them to re-engage.

Email your most valued donors that you haven’t seen lately and tell them you miss them! Invite them to a get-together or to visit your program.

Valentine’s Day is a good reminder to celebrate your donors’ birthdays, anniversaries, or other celebrations to lovingly leverage a timely outreach to funders and friends.

With love XO and encouragement,
Growth for Good

Photo Credits: Girl Be Heard, Theo Cote, La MaMa, Hip Hop Public Health, Ian Schneider, and Unsplash.com

“When so many external firms offer dogmatic approaches to marketing and decision-making, Growth for Good begins with a spark of excitement and igniting passion, encouraging creativity and inspiration. Growth for Good treats you like a partner—and genuinely wants you to innovate and succeed.”

– Michael Perreca, LEAP director of advancement