How to make a thank you call
Next week is Canadian Thanksgiving. It’s a wonderful time to call your charity’s donors and thank them for their generosity. Even if you are not in Canada, gratitude will still be welcome!
Ben calls Maria
Ben serves on the board of directors of a small charity that teaches English to newcomers and provides job training. He has a list of twenty names and numbers of people who have donated in 2022.
He starts by praying. He thanks God for the donors who keep the charity going. He thanks God for the staff and volunteers who work so hard. He thanks God for the people who persevere in the difficult task of learning a new language; their grace and dignity inspires him.
Then Ben picks up his phone. He knows he won’t speak to everyone in person, he’s prepared to leave a grateful message.
Maria answers the phone after five rings:
“Hi Maria, it’s Ben here. I serve on the board of directors for Maple Welcome Centre.”
“Oh, the place that helps people learn English and get a job.”
“That’s the one. I’m calling to thank you for your donation. Your generosity helps people to improve their lives and their families’ lives. I’m grateful for your gift and want you to know that we appreciate you.”
Ben might also say:
Happy Thanksgiving! We at the Maple Welcome Centre thank God for your generosity.
I’m on the board at the Maple Welcome Centre and we are so thankful for the generous community that supports this work.
In my devotions today, I prayed for the work of the Maple Welcome Centre. I appreciate the clients who persevere in their learning and the donors who persevere in their giving. I am grateful for the faithfulness of so many people, and I know my fellow board members are grateful too.
If people are willing to chat, Ben might find out why they support the Maple Centre. Or the call might be short and sweet.
You can do this!
People will remember that you cared more than they will remember the content. These calls are not monitored for quality control purposes.
You might speak completely differently than Ben does and that’s fine. The exact language doesn’t matter. Spelling and punctuation don’t matter - it’s on the phone! Half sentences work too. Repetition is fine. Pauses are okay.
Sincerity is essential; eloquence is optional.
It’s more important to actually pick up the phone and make the call, than to prepare the perfect words. You can do this!
Get a list
Get a list of donors who have given this year, along with their phone numbers. Ideally, your list should include the donor’s year-to-date giving total and be sorted from most to least given. (Still call even if you don’t have this information.) Everyone should receive a thank-you call, but if you can’t call everyone, start at the top of the list. It will be instructive to note the handful of givers who provide the majority of donations.
Thanksgiving
Ben enjoyed making the calls much more than he’d thought. Yes, he got voice mail a few times. Recalling the perseverance of the clients learning English, Ben will try again tomorrow too. He had some encouraging conversations with donors who thanked Ben for calling them!
Happy Thanksgiving! Whatever circumstances you find yourself in, may there be something that brings you joy. And gratitude.