The Power of Gratitude

Hello everyone,

I hope to find you all well, looking forward to the end of the year and preparing for a great start to 2024. As the holiday season sparkles with joy and goodwill, I wanted to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude for the work you all do throughout the year. I hope that your hearts are filled with warmth and happiness, and that the coming year brings you prosperity and success.

May your Christmas, Hanukkah, or other holidays you share be merry and bright, and may the new year be filled with exciting opportunities and achievements.

For calibration point, I wanted to share a story with you I read about a fundraising professional in his organization and how he ends the year.

Every December, following the conclusion of "Giving Tuesday," he meticulously allocates an entire day to personally express gratitude to his major donors who have generously contributed online. Tailoring his approach to each individual, he either initiates a personal call or arranges a face-to-face visit, catching them off guard with unexpected appreciation. This intentional gesture serves a dual purpose: surprising the donors, who aren't anticipating such personal acknowledgment, and emphasizing the significance of their above-and-beyond contributions. The overwhelmingly positive response during the initial year has cemented this practice as an integral component of his meticulously planned "December Strategy."

Beyond this annual appreciation, his second strategic initiative arose out of practical necessity. In the same year as his first encounter with "Giving Tuesday," he astutely observed that while he was making significant progress toward his overall fundraising goals through major donor gifts, a considerable portion of the funds came with restrictions— a common characteristic of this particular non-profit. This posed a potential threat to the complete funding of the general operating budget.

Responding proactively, he conducted a comprehensive review of his donor portfolio, identifying eight long-standing donors with whom he had cultivated strong relationships. These individuals not only shared a deep affinity for the organization's mission but also possessed a history of generous support. Recognizing the imperative need for additional funding, he approached these donors for an encore, successfully securing additional contributions. This strategic move not only safeguarded the financial health of the general operating budget but also highlighted the importance of maintaining robust relationships with committed donors to navigate unforeseen challenges. In this way, his comprehensive approach is helping to grow the financial stability and growth of the non-profit organization he works for.

Remember, be personal and allow people the opportunity to be cared for and give to your great organizations.

Warmly,

Jamie