Your End-of-Year campaign is wrapped up, what's next?

Empowered Nonprofits is here to help! Schedule?an opportunity to thank your donor community during the first quarter of the year. Your thank-a-thon?personal outreach can include handwritten notecards, a personalized email, a text message, or even a phone call. Build in time to?connect with donors, show gratitude, and encourage future giving. These are key ingredients to sustain?a strong donor base for support. This month we are sharing our important takeaways and recommendations on how to make a successful thank-a-thon. Partner with us in 2025!

What is a thank-a-thon??

A thank-a-thon is an opportunity to express gratitude to?individuals who have financially contributed to your organization by personally calling, texting, or emailing them directly.?

Who is making the calls?

Engage board members, young leadership, and staff. This is an excellent opportunity to bring people together to foster team spirit and remind everyone about the power of gratitude.

Who should you call?

This varies from?organization to organization.?We recommend?targeting?different segments throughout the first quarter. See below for ideas on donor segmentation.?

Empowered Recommendations - Donor Segmentation:

• New Donors:?This an important step in moving them from new to recurring donors. Include an opening introduction of who you are and what the support means to the organization.
• All End of Year?Campaign Donors: They helped you close out the year so start the new year thanking them!
• Lower Dollar Donors: There is always time to focus on top dollar donors. Take this opportunity to engage your smaller gift donors -?they are important too! We typically recommend the?$1 - $500 donors.?

What are benefits to thank-a-thons?

• Built-in donor cultivation touchpoint in your development plan
• Encourages future giving from donors?
• An opportunity?for the organization to?clean up their data and update contact information?
• Fosters connection for volunteers making the calls with not only each other, but with the organization -- reminds them of why they are involved!
• Feels good to thank and it feels good to be thanked!

What are must-haves for a successful thank-a-thon?

Each volunteer should have the necessary materials to feel equipped to reach out. Most importantly, make it a fun atmosphere.?Let’s start this year with gratitude and connection!

Empowered Recommendations - Must Have Materials:

• Donor lists with contact information and giving history
• Talking points/script with different scenarios
• Upcoming and important dates?
• Pen and paper so they can write important takeaways from conversation or if contact information needs to be updated
• Snacks and refreshments -- keep your callers fed and happy!