While we recommend sending donation acknowledgment letters to all of your donors, you are legally obligated to send documentation to donors who have given a gift of $250 or more. The IRS requires nonprofit organizations to provide a formal acknowledgment letter to these donors for tax purposes.
The format is roughly as follows: Dear (So-and-So), Thank you very much for the (name gift). It was just what I needed, as I (explain how you'll use the gift). The point is to express your appreciation for the thoughtfulness of the gift. Thoughtfulness means the gift-giver has chosen something espe...
1. Emphasize your organization's mission and overall goals. 2. Highlight the impact of previous donations. 3. Use general language to describe how funds will be used. 4. Avoid specifics that might limit fund allocation. 5. Ensure transparency and accountability. 6. Provide clear donation instructions. 7.
Most of your donors will file their taxes before the deadline, some as early as February. That's why most organizations are proactive and send their acknowledgments before January 31. You don't want an inbox full of requests for donor acknowledgments from February through April.
Send thank-you emails no later than 24 hours after a supporter makes a donation to maximize your chances of retaining their recurring support. For the best results, set up automated email responses to send a simple “thank you for your donation” message along with a receipt immediately after donors give.
15 Best Practices For Your Nonprofit Thank You Letter Use the donor's name. Nothing says, “This is a form letter” more clearly than failing to include a donor's name. Send it promptly. Send it from a person. Show impact. Be warm and friendly. Use donor-centered language. Avoid empty jargon. Reference their history.
“We are so grateful for your donation and for being a part of our cause. Your generosity inspires us every day!” “Thank you for choosing to make a difference through your donation. We appreciate your support more than words can express.”
Consider different mediums for the acknowledgment: postcards, notecards, emails, videos, or phone calls. Include a photo or other small component with the message that would be meaningful to the donor.
The following is an example of a written acknowledgment where a charity accepts contributions in the name of one of its activities: "Thank you for your contribution of $250 to (Organization) made in the name of its Kids & Families program. No goods or services were provided in exchange for your donation."
An acknowledgment letter or section typically includes the following: Title and date: Clearly state the purpose of the acknowledgment and the date. Recipient details: Addressing the relevant person or organization. Opening statement: Politely acknowledging receipt.