In addition to teaching the mechanics of gift planning, we are frequently asked about the best ways to thank donors who have made bequest commitments—especially when the notification comes from someone who does not have a long-term relationship with the charity. Here are some tips for thanking the donor you don’t know.
Who should say “thank you”?
The person chosen to thank a donor for a bequest commitment will not necessarily be the same person each time. It will usually be the planned giving or development officer, but in other cases, a retired staff member such as a former CEO or a key volunteer may be the best choice to express appreciation.
Call or write?
If others on staff don’t know the donor personally or have no prior interaction, a letter prior to a call may be more appropriate. (If in doubt, write before calling.) If practical, plan a personal visit, but take your cue from the donor and respect their wishes if they decline.
Working with “blind” notifications
Sometimes a donor will choose to notify you of a bequest intention through their attorney. If the donor takes this route, they may wish to remain anonymous while still letting you know the gift will eventually be received.
In these cases, thank their attorney for the notification and then write an appropriate letter of thanks to the donor and ask the attorney to pass it along if they think their client would be receptive. ■
