Unique and Thoughtful Gifts to Appreciate Your Nonprofit Donors

Now we'll discuss some of 2023's top donor gifts. These presents are intended to make your donors feel more connected to your cause and to boost their level of participation.

Give your donors a special welcome package to show them how much you value their support. Include a thank-you note from your organization or a postcard highlighting beneficiaries of your work and the donor's generosity.

Include a reusable cup or a limited-edition t-shirt design in the box for your most generous donors. Don't forget to be resourceful as you think of ways to thank new donors and keep costs down.

Personalized Promotional Products

If you have the funds, you can brand anything from t-shirts to mugs, pens to tote bags, and the list goes on and on. Donors often want visible evidence of their support, and branded gifts can offer just that while also promoting your organization.

Guaranteeing a minimum fundraising amount to participate in charity events like the one for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital has been an effective way to motivate runners to earn money for the cause. Participants can earn a free t-shirt or other reward if the goal is reached. Everyone who finishes the race gets a medal.

Make Your Own Special Coffee-Table Book

If your nonprofit has a lengthy history, publishing a coffee table book is a great way to commemorate its achievements and display its plans for the future. Include information on a pivotal figure in your organization's history or a long-standing custom.

The book can be designed by the user, and Shutterfly offers helpful guidelines for doing so. You can hire a printer if you'd rather not do the work yourself. Donors who have put a lot of time and energy into your cause would appreciate receiving a beautiful coffee table book as a token of your appreciation.

Personalized Campaign Gifts

Donor gifts throughout a campaign should be consistent with the organization's mission and slogan. A few examples:

Gifts associated with sports are appropriate for a newly renovated gym. A picture of the team mascot or an athletic t-shirt design could be presented.

Sponsors may be interested in devoting or sponsoring seats in a brand-new performing arts venue.

Consider having recipients of your scholarship endowment send handwritten words of gratitude.

To the extent possible, try to make your presents relevant to your end aim. Although logowear is useful, it only goes so far.

Specialized, Customized Donor Presents

Personalized gifts are a great way to show your gratitude to donors and solidify your relationship with them. To indicate that you remember and cherish their interests, you may bring them a little plant or their preferred brand of coffee.

When giving to larger donors, don't be hesitant to get creative with your presents. In your thank-you notes, be sure to emphasize the difference they have made by supporting your cause.

Privilege of Invitation Only Events

Giving your top donors access to exclusive events is a terrific way to stand out from the competition. Participating in these activities can make contributors feel special and increase their commitment to your cause. Think about inviting influential people in your field or perhaps the president of your organization out to dinner or a networking event. The Adler Planetarium in Chicago hosts an annual event called the Celestial Bash, where they invite hundreds of their closest friends to hear how their contributions have impacted the museum's programs and celebrate their pioneers. One of their gatherings even featured the attendance of American astronaut Captain James A. Lovell, Jr., who mingled with attendees and shared anecdotes about his time in space. These gatherings may be costly, but they are an excellent way to show your gratitude to supporters and get them more involved in your organization's mission.

Unusual Methods of Thanking Donors

In return for helping your organization succeed, your donors deserve a thoughtful token of your appreciation.

Put these into thought:

• If a donor is responsible for an animal's upkeep, they should receive information on the animal's progress and be invited to visit.
• Sending out a postcard with eye-opening statistics about your organization will help contributors see how their support is making a difference.
• Send recycled plastic goods to supporters of your ocean cleanup cause.
• Gifts with a positive social impact demonstrate to donors the value of their support.

Identifying Individual Donors

Donors and your organization can both benefit from using their names in acknowledgements.

The following are some ideas for thanking donors:

• You might put their name on a plaque or mention them in your yearly report.
• Put their name on a donor wall of fame that you display in your lobby using digital signage.
• Donors should be acknowledged as sponsors in any event.
• One effective method of thanking benefactors is to draw attention to them publicly.

Create a special video to express your appreciation

Why not thank those who have contributed to your cause by telling an interesting tale? One of the best ways to show appreciation is through the creation of a short film. A recipient could be asked to make a video thanking those who aided them. You might also have staff and program participants of diverse ethnic backgrounds express their gratitude in their native languages or through a visual medium, such as a collage. The holiday season is a great time to display your organization's achievements and the difference that donations have made. With the goal of showing how donors' generosity has helped children and their families, Save the Children created a moving video of gratitude.

2023's Top Donor-Appreciation Gifts for Nonprofits

The greatest ways to show gratitude to donors differ from one group to the next. Recognizing your donors and learning what makes them unique is essential. By expressing appreciation, you can strengthen their emotional investment in the outcome and inspire them to take action.