Thanksgiving is a time to pause, reflect, and express gratitude. For nonprofits, this season provides the perfect opportunity to thank donors who make your mission possible. Demonstrating appreciation not only strengthens relationships but also fosters long-term donor loyalty.
Showing appreciation is especially important during a time of year when many of us are also asking a lot of our donors: inviting them to gala events, asking them to participate in giving days, and filling their inboxes with year-end appeals.
Here are a few ideas for your organization to show genuine gratitude to your donors this Thanksgiving.
Send Personalized Thank-You Notes Getting a personal card or letter in the mail is fun! In an increasingly digital world, a handwritten or personalized thank-you note stands out. Sending a note that addresses the donor by name and includes a specific mention of their contributions can leave a lasting impression. Highlight what their support has accomplished and express your genuine appreciation.
Pro Tip: If resources are tight, consider a personalized email with a heartfelt message from your Executive Director or a video clip recorded specifically for your donors.
Share a Thanksgiving Video Message A short, heartfelt video message can bring warmth and authenticity that words alone might not convey. Gather your team and create a video thanking donors for their support throughout the year. For added impact, feature stories or testimonials from people who have directly benefited from donor contributions.
Idea: Have board members record thank you messages during a board meeting. Create a “montage” of their messages to send to your donors.
Highlight Impact Stories in Your Thanksgiving Newsletter Thanksgiving is an ideal time to send out an impact-focused newsletter. Use this opportunity to highlight the year's achievements and the vital role donors played in your success. Include stories from those directly impacted by your programs to showcase the real-life changes made possible by donor generosity.
Example: Feature a story titled “How Your Support Helped Us XXX This year” and include photos or a short video clip, along with some statistics to demonstrate impact.
Create a Thanksgiving E-Card Design and send a Thanksgiving e-card to your donor base. Make it visually appealing with warm autumn colors and include a heartfelt message that expresses your gratitude. E-cards can be a budget-friendly way to reach a large number of donors while still maintaining a personal touch.
Action Step: Add a small “Thank you for being a part of our community” message along with a photo of your staff/board.
Send a Small, Meaningful Gift If you have the resources and this is a good fit for your donor base, consider sending a small, thoughtful gift to your major donors and/or those who contribute consistently. This could be a holiday ornament, a bookmark with a special message, or a calendar that features photos of your nonprofit’s work. Bonus points if you can connect the gift to the work you do (e.g. artwork by the children you work with or handmade items from a participant). Gifts don’t have to be extravagant; even simple gestures can make a big impact.
Note: Be sure to include a personal note explaining how much their support is valued.
Host a “Thank-You” Live Stream If your donors are active on social media, consider hosting a live stream where your team shares stories, answers questions, and directly thanks donors for their support. This casual format can be fun and interactive, making donors feel connected to your organization.
Pro Tip: Encourage attendees to leave comments or questions during the live stream and take the time to respond in real-time to make them feel involved and appreciated.
Follow Up with an End-of-Year Gratitude Campaign Thanksgiving is just the start of the holiday season, and many organizations are doing a lot of “asking” during November and December. It’s important to bookend the “giving season” with not only a Thank You to donors, but a demonstration of the impact their gifts made during the year. Ensure your messaging remains focused on donor appreciation, with updates on how their continued support will fuel new goals for the upcoming year.
Final Thought: Ask board members to write personal notes to your top donors in January, thanking them for their support during the prior year.
Conclusion Thanksgiving is more than just a holiday; it’s a reminder to pause and show gratitude. For nonprofits, it’s an opportunity to thank those who stand by your mission and make your work possible. Whether through personalized notes, heartfelt videos, or small gifts, a genuine expression of thanks can strengthen relationships and build a foundation for ongoing support. These are just a smattering of ideas; you should consider who your donors are and what they would find meaningful.
This Thanksgiving, take the time to show your donors how much they mean to you, and you’ll set the stage for a long-lasting, impactful partnership. If you need help crafting an idea that best fits your organization, please reach out and we can work together to come up with something amazing!
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