How to Make Thank You Calls (without freaking out)
If you’re on a board or run a nonprofit, you know the importance of thanking people for their donations. But let’s face it: picking up the phone to say "thank you" can feel surprisingly hard. But this call is MORE than just a thing to check off your to-do list.
Unpopular opinion: the thank you call is likely more important to your organization than the donation was in the first place.
Once upon a time when I was the Executive Artistic Director of a theater company, a very well-meaning older gentleman sent (by real mail!) a check for $50 during our end-of-year campaign. Now fifty bucks doesn’t get you very far these days and I joked that we could probably buy a few stamps. It seemed like a gesture instead of a real, impactful gift and we were a bit annoyed that it wasn’t more. [quick intermission: I’m not proud of this moment, guys.]
But, because we had a practice of “the thank you call,” our Managing Director Matthew picked up the phone and called this man (let’s call him SK). Now Matthew is nothing if not talkative and he started gabbing with SK and asked him why he had donated his 50 smackeroos. It turns out SK came to every show. He usually sat in the front row because climbing the stairs was hard for him. He loved what we did and loved the deep conversations about the work that came after the productions, too.
What SK didn’t know was how much money we really needed to do our work. He was of an era where $50 really could help. Because he was listening deeply, Matthew got an idea. What if SK was our first “monthly donor”? What if, instead of $50 a year, he would give $50 a month?
SK was thrilled to be asked. And our monthly donor membership program was launched. That $50 turned into thousands.
So yes, you do have to pick up the phone. But it doesn’t have to be painful.
In my latest video, I break down how to make this process easier and more effective with how and why to:
🎉 Celebrate the donation in the first place
📞 Know why you’re making the dreaded Thank You Call
🧘 Tune into your body to dispel anxiousness before you start
💬 Focus on THEM (not you)
🤝 Build Real Connections
Want to dive deeper into these tips and learn how to make your thank you calls truly impactful? Watch the full video. Let’s make thanking people as easy as taking their money in the first place 😉
Turn $50 into $1000+
To your success!
ps. Do you have staff or board members who need to represent your company to key stakeholders, donors, press, or the community? Are they having trouble asking people for money (or thanking them afterward)? Let’s connect about my bespoke workshops that transform each person on your team into a voice for increased income and impact. Click here to learn more.
