7 Innovative Ways to Thank Your Fundraising Participants and Donors

Gratitude doesn’t just cap off your campaign work—thanking your fundraising participants helps energize, connect, and secure future involvement from your supporters. 

People want to know that their time or money has been noticed and valued, and communicating those messages is best done by investing in creative ways to thank donors with sincere recognition and gratitude.

Here are our top seven ideas:

1. Public shoutouts

Throw a public spotlight on your supporters—either in lists categorized by earning or giving level or through singling out specific donors. Opportunities include: 

• Announcements at organization events 
• Digital billboards or signs
• Event programs
• Social media
• Newsletters
• Websites
• Bulletin boards

Increase the impact by making the wording sincere, using humor where appropriate, and including lower-level donors, such as through a “donor of the week” random draw.

2. Handmade gifts

Recognition and gratitude are essential to developing ongoing donor relationships, but that doesn’t mean you have to invest in extravagant donor gifts or mailings. 

One way to limit appreciation spending and display wiser financial stewardship is to incorporate handmade elements into a gift or message. This could include: 

• Artwork created by members or clients
• Simple handmade holiday ornaments
• Home-baked cookies, candy, spice mixes, etc.

And don’t forget—you can boost your passive fundraising efforts by purchasing gift supplies from JOANN, Michaels, Walmart, Amazon, or other brands through a RaiseRight program.

3. Personalized letters

A “Dear Donor” letter sent out to the masses is useful as a donation record, but not the best vehicle for creating connection or emotional impact. 

Boost its impact with personalization such as: 

• Information that displays specific knowledge about a donor or volunteer
• A handwritten note and signature added to each mass-mailed letter
• Hand delivery to local donors instead of mailing

4. Unique thank-you cards

The way that you create and craft a thank-you card can position it among the most impactful donor appreciation ideas. Consider: 

• Printing cards using member artwork or program photos 
• Incorporating member quotes, testimony, and notes, especially from children
• Handwriting the message inside

One fundraising organizer actually receives “thanks for thanks” back from donors due to the individually crafted watercolor cards she creates and fills with individualized notes.

5. Competitive milestone celebrations

Here’s a fun idea: throw a party to celebrate fundraising and donation milestones.

One RaiseRight program coordinator shared on Facebook that they run fundraising contests based on total gift card sales where the winning group gets a pizza party. While the "thank you" reward goes to the children vs. the donors, she noted, "Our parents are super competitive, so they love a good contest!"

6. Personal phone calls

For large-sum donors in particular, personal phone calls are a tried-and-true way to convey gratitude in words, tone, and time. Before you start dialing, though, consider who’s best as the caller. Depending on the level of coaching or supervision needed, this could be a: 

• Board member
• Coach, band director, or other team leader
• Youth member of your organization 

Here are things to keep in mind about thank-you calls: 

• Don’t use them for additional fundraising—stay on track as an appreciation opportunity
• Keep calls short and to the point
• You may have more success calling older donors vs. texting generations
• Be prepared with a heartfelt voicemail message if you can’t get through

A contributor to r/nonprofit on Reddit noted that their organization “decided to forego Giving Tuesday, and instead just used that day to call donors to say thank you and highlight a few accomplishments from the year.” 

Instead of an ask, simply expressing thanks on that day helped position them better for an end-of-year campaign.

7. Video messages

A video message is an alternative to a traditional letter, card, or email. It reduces postage costs and mail volume while allowing personalization and a combination of imagery, text, and tone.

One nonprofit leader on Reddit credits their high retention to sending personalized videos on a mass scale to each donor through a video engagement platform.

Continue to show appreciation through flexible, sustainable fundraising opportunities

Volunteer and donor appreciation is essential for running a successful nonprofit or community organization. Another way to show your gratitude is to provide supporters with easy, sustainable, year-round fundraising opportunities alongside special events and campaigns.

Rather than asking for time or cash directly, your supporters can give indirectly through a RaiseRight program—just by paying for goods and services that are already in their budgets.

Simply buy gift cards or shop online across hundreds of brands and earn up to 20% back for your organization with every purchase. Your supporters can earn for your group 24/7, 365 days a year, with minimal management on your behalf.