Thanks For Everything! Stewardship Strategies For The Small Anti-Violence Organization Alyson Culin Development & Marketing Director Orange County Rape Crisis Center

What Is Stewardship? Definition: Maintaining good relations with people who are already supporting your agency. NOT cultivation, which is bringing in new people. Today’s focus: Strategy around thanking Consider resources and return on investment (ROI) Create a strategy, not a checklist StewardshipCultivationSolicitation

Who is Your Audience? Donors Volunteers Board of Directors (current and former) Staff (current and former) Grantors ??

Thanking Donors – Process Each task, who is responsible for it, and general timeline Consider separation of duties Legal and contractual (grant) requirements Tax deductible info Technical info How to use the database Who to contact if difficulties Templates for letters Alternate instructions for different types of giving Different plan for different levels of giving Checks vs credit card vs online giving Recurring gifts In-kind donations Corporations, businesses, groups

ASC gets and opens mail DMD processes deposit (ASC takes deposit to bank) (ED approves deposit) (Bookkeeper…) ASC enters donations into database and prints TY letters/envelopes ED signs and adds a short handwritten message DMD adds a personal note to contacts ASC stuffs, mails. New donors get welcome package. ED writes note card for acknowledgements ED writes handwritten note card within about a month Board (Exec Cmte) calls $100+ donors within about a month

Thanking Donors – The TY Letter Warm, sincere, quick. New letter every 6-12 months. Special letter for each campaign or event.

Thanking Donors – Components of the TY Letter Date Donor’s name and address Personal greeting (i.e. “Dear Mary,” NOT “Dear friend,”) IMPACT of gift Donor-centered language (i.e. “you,” “your gift,” etc.) Feelings > Facts Special events, recent news, etc. Offer a tour/visit. Who the donor should contact with questions. Real signature with a personalized note. Tax info

Thanking Donors – The TY Call Short time investment and has the potential for large impact Much easier to convince your Board to make TY calls rather than solicitation calls! Components: Hello Thank you Pause Question Thank you Call DateDonor Name Left message or chatted Notes Sample Call Report Form

Thanking Donors – Ideas? Handwritten note card Phone call Call or note from the ED Call or note from the Board Call or note from a program staff member Note from a client Photograph of your agency in action Invite for a tour Lunch or appreciation event for biggest donors ???

Appreciating Volunteers Communicating authentic gratitude Ideas Volunteer socials: parties, potlucks Provide meals at trainings, meetings Small gifts Recognition in newsletter, social media, etc. Volunteer awards Saying a simple thank you Writing/ ing notes ???

Interacting with Supporters Important to have real relationships and display sincere, personalized gratitude Create opportunities to interact that don’t ask for money (or have a passive ask) Communications that don’t ask for money. Personal is best. Identify biggest supporters and create a specialized plan for them.

Takeaways SINCERITY Create a strategy, not a checklist Consider resources & ROI What is one idea from today that you want to try to implement immediately?