The Pentera Blog
Donor Stewardship: More Than Thank You Notes
The Merriam-Websterdictionary defines stewardship as "the office, duties, and obligations of a steward" and "the conducting, supervising, or managing of something; especially: the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care"
When donors make charitable gifts to your organization, they are entrusting you with a valuable resource. As such, they want to know that their gifts will not only be appreciated but will also be put to good use and managed responsibly.
Donors want to know:
- How has this gift made a difference in the lives of others?
- How has this gift helped your organization satisfy its mission?
- How will future generations benefit from the use of this gift?
Donor Communication Is Key. With good communication, donors fully understand the meaningful impact of their gifts - both on your organization and those you serve in the community. Effective communication helps keep donors engaged, informed, and loyal to your organization.
Report on the impact of planned gifts through:
- Donor-centric newsletters
- Periodic Web site updates
- Donor stories and impact stories
- Invitations to visit and learn more about the work and accomplishments of your organization
- Public celebrations of success
Build Better Donor Relationships. Ultimately, donor stewardship is an on-going process in relationship building. Like any valuable and enduring relationship, strengthening your donor communications requires consistent effort over time.
Continue to seek innovative ways to reach out to donors and let them know that their planned gifts matter. Your efforts can reap lasting and meaningful benefits for years to come.
For innovative and donor-centric planned giving communications that get results, contact Pentera.
