When you THANK-YOU, please do it right! This is the 153rd Fundraising Writing Newsletter. If you find value here, please tell a fundraising friend. (Your fundraising friend can ​subscribe here for free.)​

In this issue:

✅ Thank-you goal: become a thankologist?

✅ Did you know. . . ? We can write and design your new case for support.

✅ Randomly yours: to inspire and recharge you

Wednesday, November 20, 2024
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Hi Reader,

I love a good thank-you, don't you?

A good thank-you is effusive, like at the ending of It's a Wonderful Life when George Bailey returns from the brink of despair to reclaim his joy — his gratitude.

That's why George is beaming in spite of his debt, his bad luck, and the specter of jail time:

Just look at that gratitude!

When you're thinking of thank-yous, maybe call to mind this wonderful image.

When you're writing, maybe aim to be like Frank Capra — the film's director — who made audiences feel as though they'd gone on a journey with George ... down to the lowest of lows ... and back again.

Fade out on gratitude.

Thank-you goal: become a thankologist?

I'm guessing you've inferred what a "thankologist" is...

But let's break the word down as Brett did in last week's newsletter.

thank-olog-ist

Thank = the action of gratitude

olog (from "ology") = the study of

ist = one who

A thankologist is "one who studies the action of gratitude."

A thankologist is also a thank-you ninja.
​(modern translation)

You can't be any kind of ninja without specialized training...

Which is why I recommend Lisa Sargent's new book Thank-ology. It's a thank-you ninja training manual.

Here's the headline:

HOLY COW, THIS BOOK IS FULL OF WONDERFUL, MASTER-LEVEL, THANK-YOU NINJA EXAMPLES!

I'm talking the kind of examples you'll want to bookmark.

I'm talking the kind of book you'll end up wanting to dogear every other page.

Instant classic.

One taster of a tip for you...

Include a PS in ALL your thank-you communications — even in your thank-you emails.
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Sargent refers to these postscripts as "the sweet, golden glitter on your gratitude cake." ✨ 🎂
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One thing to include in your thank-you messaging — and it can fit nicely in your PS — is something about when donors will hear from you next.

This helps because it sets expectations, serves as a mark of accountability, and makes donors feel more engaged, anticipating what more will be coming from you.
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Here's an example.
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🪫 BEFORE:

🔋 AFTER:

Sometimes the smallest of touches can make our donors feel most appreciated.

And you'll appreciate reading Thank-ology — it will leave you:

1. Inspired!
2. Armed! with thank-you ninja love language. And,
3. Ready to thank!

I read this book in no time. I'm leaving it out and keeping it close. I think you'll want to do the same. 😊 🫶

Did you know. . . ? We can write and design your new case for support.

As 2025 comes into view, you might be thinking big.

You might need a new case for support.

That's a good idea.

A case for support can be foundational for your success. It can inform your appeals, your messaging to major and monthly donors, and your capital campaigns.

Maybe you have an old case but it's outdated.

Maybe you don't have a proper case at all.

Whatever the case may be ... we can handle your needs. Interviews. Internal case. Traditional case, with or without design. You name it.

If you'd like to talk about the possibilities and your specific needs, book a call now. The first call is always free.

Randomly yours: to inspire and recharge you

For your brain, heart, and funny bone...

• Fundraisingly Informative — 5 Keys to Raising Major Gifts in the Final Weeks of the Year by Amy Eisenstein (a blog post featuring helpful ideas around making the most of your donor list, your case for support, your major donor meetings, and more)
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• Statistically Ruthless — The Online Sports Gambling Experiment Has Failed​ by Zvi Mowshowitz (a Substack article about how the predatory world of gambling became even more predatory when they made an app for that)​
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• Dramatically Comical — A REAL PAIN | Official Trailer via Searchlight Pictures (a 2-minute trailer for the new film — which Brett and I saw in the theater this past weekend and LOVED — starring Kieran Culkin and Jesse Eisenberg; for moviegoers who prefer their laughs with tears)

Until next time: May your thank-yous always hit home for your donors, so they always feel welcomed.

With gratitude,
Julie

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