There are many types of donations a nonprofit can receive. Creating a customized thank-you experience for each one is important for nonprofits. Having a standard thank you letter can suffice for most donations, but there are times when nonprofits will greatly benefit from offering a more personalized thank you letter.

This article covers the benefits of personalization and the types of donations that should receive a customized thank you letter.

Benefits of Customizing Acknowledgements

Delivering impact to your donors starts with the thank-you letter. Specificity enhances the donor experience, fostering a stronger connection to your cause. While a generic thank-you lacks detail, a customized letter, such as one for a capital campaign, illustrates the progress made and how their contribution advanced your mission.

What Type of Donations Should Have Their Own Thank You?

While most donations may fit within a general appeal letter, certain contributions warrant individualized acknowledgment. Here are some examples:

In-Kind Donations

Since In-Kind donations are not monetary, the wording of your thank you letter needs to be different. Creating a template for in-kind donations will save you the hassle of having to edit each one of your thank-you letters with specifics of the gift. If you use DonorSnap you can create a custom donation field that will feed directly into your thank you letter. It is also important to describe the nature of the contribution, whether it’s goods, services, or expertise. For instance:

“Dear [Donor’s Name],

Thank you for your generous in-kind donation of [description of the item or service]. Your support will directly impact [mention how the donation will be used or who it will benefit]. We deeply appreciate your commitment to our cause.”

Learn more about In-Kind donations here. 

Memorial Donations

Memorial donations should be acknowledged with sensitivity and specificity. Having a designated template ensures that the donor knows their gift was received in memory of the individual they honored. Additionally, informing them of any notifications made to the family can provide closure and gratitude. Here’s an example:

“Dear [Donor’s Name],

On behalf of [nonprofit organization’s name], we extend our heartfelt thanks for your memorial donation in honor of [Name of Honored Individual]. Your thoughtfulness during this difficult time is deeply appreciated. We have also reached out to the family to convey your condolences and our gratitude for their support.”

Learn more about handling memorial donations here.

Recurring Donations

Recognizing recurring donations acknowledges the sustained commitment of your supporters. A personalized letter can reinforce the impact of their ongoing contributions and express gratitude for their continued support. For example:

“Dear [First Name],

Thank you immensely for becoming a [frequency] donor to [organization’s name]. Your generous commitment of [gift amount] a month will undeniably make a substantial impact on our organization’s mission.

Recurring contributions play a pivotal role in sustaining our initiatives. Thanks to your ongoing support, we can [describe a specific initiative or program their donation will support]. Moreover, by joining our family of monthly donors, you actively contribute to [highlight additional benefits of monthly donations].”

Learn more about thanking recurring donors here.

Major Gifts

Major gifts necessitate special acknowledgment to recognize the significant impact of the contribution. Tailoring the thank-you letter to highlight the specific project or initiative funded by the major gift can strengthen the donor’s connection to your organization. Here’s an example:

“Dear [Donor’s Name],

We are thrilled to express our sincerest gratitude for your transformative major gift to [nonprofit organization’s name]. Your generosity will directly support [describe the specific project or initiative funded by the gift]. Your visionary leadership sets an inspiring example for others to follow, and we are deeply grateful for your commitment to our mission.”

Final Thoughts

By customizing your thank-you letters to the different types of donations, you not only acknowledge the generosity of your donors but also strengthen the bond between them and your organization. These examples serve as templates to help you craft meaningful acknowledgments that reflect the unique impact of each contribution.