How to Make Your Donors Happy With a Valentine!

Valentine’s Day: it’s time to show your donors some love!

A charming, thoughtful Valentine can express your appreciation to your donors in a delightful way.

After all, they are the generous wonderful people who are making your work possible.

They are amazingly special.

So let them know!

Valentines are terrific fundraising tools! They are:

• A super easy way to engage with your donors.

• A touching way to say thank you. (Find 7 ways to thank your donors and they’ll give again!)

• A thoughtful gesture that can deeply connect donors with your work.

AND:

A valentine can remind your donors how special YOU think THEY are.

How do valentines play a role in fundraising?

Well, you are NOT asking for money with this Valentine.

But you ARE touching your donors, reminding them of their interest in your cause, and letting them know the wonderful impact they are making in the world.

And that’s FABULOUS fundraising if you ask me.

A thoughtful Valentine helps encourage that next gift.

You may already have sent them a warm personal thank you note right after their gift.

You also may have called them on the phone to say thanks.

But don’t for a minute think that’s all you should do!

#DonorLove is a huge trend in fundraising.

First we talked about how to treat our donors like “Friends.” (remember friend-making?)

Then we started suggesting that we treat our donors like “Family.”

And now all the fundraising pundits are holding out the idea of “#DonorLove.”

You need to add romance.

Maybe you could treat your donors like the very special friends that they are.

Here are some fun ideas for #DonorLove Valentines:

1. Traditional card:

The donor gets a valentine card from staff with a sweet personal note. “You are special!”

2. Card:

The donor gets a valentine card from a board member with a note.

3. Card:

Valentine’s card comes from someone your organization has helped: A kid, a student, a client, etc.

4. Video:

The donor gets a video of some of your organization’s work (smiling people, ok?) with a love song in the background.

5. Hand-made card:

Donor gets Valentine created and signed by some of the kids (or people) she has helped.

Animal charity – maybe a paw print.

Arts organization: try a cool art design crafted by an artist.

6. Singing telegram:

This is perfect for arts organizations that may have some singers who’d love to visit donors and sing a jingle, pop song or an aria. What fun!

7: Balloons:

I’m such a fan of balloons.

They are festive, inexpensive, and playful.

How about getting a delivery van for the day and going around and giving all your favorite donors a red or white balloon to thank them?

How can you go wrong?

8: Party:

Why not invite your donors to a little get-together- and ask them to wear red?

9: Gift:

Create a little token that represents your work.

Wrap it up beautifully and deliver to your donors as a Valentine. (this one is my favorite!)

10: Email:

You can send emails to ALL your donors with a charming image or photo.

OR imbed a video in the email and simply say thanks, you are the best!

11: Chocolate:

We can’t forget chocolate! That’s an easy one to deliver.

I prefer DARK chocolate myself. :)

And can you find some local gourmet chocolates to deliver, perhaps?

12: Flowers:

And don’t forget flowers!

They don’t have to be extravagant, just thoughtful.

Maybe a potted flowering plant? Or even a single rose?

BOTTOM LINE:

I can’t think of a better way to “romance” your donors.

How are YOU using Valentine’s Day to send your donors some love?

Share your ideas with a comment below!