A guide to writing thank-you notes to donors
Attention, all advocates! We have reached the end of the 2020 style challenge, and we have just one thing to say: Thank you. You are all amazing. Thank you for participating in Dressember this year, for using your time, energy and creativity to take a stand against human exploitation and dehumanization. This has been one of the most impactful years yet, and we still have all of January (National Human Trafficking Prevention Month) to go. We cannot thank you enough.
But there’s another group of people we all have to thank: All of the donors who responded to your calls to action. Because of their generosity, we have raised over $2.5 million this campaign season. Consider writing thank-you notes to those who donated to your campaign this December––either by snail mail or email––to let them know how much it means to you that they came alongside you this Dressember! (If you need stationary, check out these thank-you cards on the Dressember marketplace, designed by Dressember advocate Jen Kindbom!) You could also pick up the phone or thank them more publicly with a story or post on social media.
Thanking your donors for their participation this year might help inspire them to continue to give year after year. In this way, it’s not just a social courtesy or a nice gesture––it’s also a fundraising tool that keeps the momentum for change going.
If you’re wondering how to write a quality thank-you card, look no further! Here’s a step-by-step outline of what you can say.
Step 1: Write a greeting.
Generally best if personalized (e.g. “Dear Aunt Mary and Uncle Bob”).
If you choose to post a more public thank-you on social media, you could say something like “A huge thank-you to my Aunt Mary for donating to my Dressember campaign!”
Step 2: Express your gratitude.
“Thank you so much for donating to my campaign this year.”
“I’m so grateful for your generous donation to my campaign.”
Step 3: Give some more details about the campaign and what their donation goes towards.
This would be a good time to reference a fact or two in connection with how the money can be used to alleviate those heavy trafficking statistics we’ve been sharing all campaign season.
“This year, we raised…”
“Your donation will fund interventions in active trafficking situations, prevention efforts and protective services for survivors.”
“Trafficking is one of the fastest-growing and most lucrative criminal industries in the world, valued at over $150 billion. Your money goes toward keeping the profits out of the hands of the traffickers and instead funding the care of victims and survivors.”
“Your contribution is so appreciated, and goes to organizations like ____ [here you can highlight a Dressember Network partner that you like or admire and give a quick summary of what they do.]”
Step 4: Look ahead.
Refer either to the future of their involvement with Dressember or to something more personal that maintains the relationship.
“We hope you will consider continuing to support Dressember in the years to come. Together, we work towards a world in which all people are free.”
A more personalized option for family and friends: “Looking forward to seeing you at…”
Step 5: Reiterate your thanks and close.
“Again, thank you for your generosity…”
“Thanks again, and I hope the new year starts off well for you!”
Step 6: Sign your name.
“Sincerely, ____”
However you choose to do it (snail mail, email, a phone call, social media posts or stories), remember to thank your donors. You can even let them know how their donation is impacting victims and survivors of trafficking––how they are part of the fight for the freedom and dignity of all people.
About the Author
Emmy Luker is a writer and MDiv candidate at Fuller Theological Seminary. She is passionate about speaking and writing about what is true, and doing it in a way people can and want to hear. Originally from Colorado, she is a big fan of alpine views and mountain hikes, but she is learning to love the wind and the lake as a recent transplant in Chicago.