{"id":144925,"date":"2026-01-23T05:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-23T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bloomerang.com\/?p=144925"},"modified":"2025-12-18T10:07:59","modified_gmt":"2025-12-18T15:07:59","slug":"whats-the-best-way-to-thank-monthly-donors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bloomerang.com\/blog\/whats-the-best-way-to-thank-monthly-donors\/","title":{"rendered":"What\u2019s the Best Way to Thank Monthly Donors?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Our\u00a0Ask An Expert<\/a>\u00a0series features real questions answered by\u00a0Claire Axelrad, J.D., CFRE<\/a>, also known as Charity Clairity.\u00a0<\/strong>Today\u2019s question comes from a nonprofit employee who wants to know the best way to thank monthly donors:\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Dear Charity Clairity,<\/i><\/p>\n

For sustaining donors (monthly), I send a quarterly thank you. Is that sufficient? Do you have a better idea?<\/i><\/p>\n

— Balancing Priorities<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Dear Balancing Priorities,<\/i><\/p>\n

Let us begin with something I truly believe: You can never thank donors too much.<\/b><\/p>\n

Yes, it\u2019s work. But the effort is well worth the investment. Because donors who feel appreciated give more and more often.<\/p>\n

But, wait. You say these folks are already giving more often? True. But\u2026 they\u2019re free to stop at any time. They\u2019re also free to make a larger commitment at any time. That\u2019s what you really hope for. Because a $50\/month donor ($600\/year) can easily become a $60 donor ($720) without batting an eye. If you have 100 donors doing this, you\u2019ll generate an additional $7200. 1,000 donors? $72,000. That\u2019s so much easier than trying to get one or two major donors<\/a> to give you this sum.<\/p>\n

So, yes, it\u2019s work to thank a little bit more often. Yet it\u2019s one of the most surefire ways I know to increase donor lifetime value<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A thank you is an opportunity to connect meaningfully<\/h2>\n

Why not reframe your approach from \u201cchore\u201d to \u201copportunity?\u201d<\/b> Researcher Penelope Burk<\/a> has worked over two decades in assessing what donors want, and a prompt, personal, outcome-focused thank you is at the top of the list. In a\u00a0Burk Donor Survey<\/i>,\u00a0<\/i><\/b>40% of respondents said they had received at least one thank-you letter in recent memory they would describe as exceptional. Its\u00a0\u201c<\/b>warm, personal tone making the letter feel like it was written just for me\u201d\u00a0<\/i>was cited most often.<\/p>\n