A lot of supporters give to experience the joy of giving, without expecting anything in return. But, that doesn’t imply that they won’t like being thanked. They have spent their time contributing to your cause, or organization, showing how much they care for you, for the recipients, and for the world as a whole.
Tell It With A Tale
Instead of just inviting them for a casual glass of wine and chatter, have a theme for your event that reflects your cause, or vision. For example, you could have a “bringing change, bringing joy” or “changing the constant” theme, both of which are central themes, revolve around your cause, and can be used to build up content preceding the event, or post that. For parties like these, you should shift your focus from your drawbacks to your achievements. Your attendees would want to see how their contribution is helping your organization carry out activities that are benefiting the society. Donors would want to feel that they’re making a difference, and that their money, time, and efforts aren’t just sinking in a hollow pit.
Let Them Know
Your event would be pointless if all your supporters aren’t sent an invite well before the date of the event. If you’re emailing the invites, make sure you’re personalizing every email before sending it out to the supporters in order to make them feel really welcome. Also, to add to the warmth, you can have the old-fashioned written invitations inside a beautiful package for your big sponsors and supporters. The invitations should indicate that this is an exclusive event only for appreciating a small group of people (i.e. your supporters) for their priceless contributions.
Let The Receivers Become Givers
Directly involving the recipients will seem like a very real reward for your contributors. You can invite the recipients as guests, or speakers, so that your supporters can directly hear about the consequences of their contributions from the ones who have been helped. Your recipients will also be glad at being granted the opportunity of thanking the contributors personally, and appreciating them for their help.
Use Multimedia
“Where words fail, music speaks.”
Sounds like a cliché statement at the back of a teenager’s iPhone, but it doesn’t stop making sense. Pictures, videos, and audios work like charms if you’re trying to engage an audience. Show the donors videos and documentaries about the inside workings of your organization, real-life stories of the recipients and how the charity has helped them, therefore giving them a better insight into the work you’re doing to put their money to good use. This way, they’ll feel more connected to your organization.
In True Sense, Recognize Them
A lot of people don’t like it when someone puts up a show and holds their work in the limelight, but a vast majority won’t mind being appreciated in public and being recognized for their work.
Have the media come over and cover your ‘thank you’ event. Conduct a proper felicitation where you give them mementos, or trophies, for their contributions. You could also have banners with their names and company logos, or a presentation that has their names coming up as rolling credits. Also, printing their names with little descriptions on handouts and pamphlets can provide them with recognition.
As far as social media is concerned, it goes without saying that you could give them special mentions on your Twitter, Facebook page, Instagram, and other social media networks that you have a presence on, including your website.
According to a few surveys, almost 80% of the contributors said they’d give additional gifts/support if they received recognition and a simple “thank you” for their contributions. Remember, saying thank you doesn’t make you small. It makes you big enough to have a heart that recognizes and appreciates kindness, something that is a rare sight nowadays.
