By Dan Mirgon, CFRE

Fall is the most productive time for ministries when it comes to receiving gifts. Many of your donors want to help meet the needs of the ministry and will determine how much to give based on what is left at the end of the calendar year.

As you plan for the influx of gifts, let’s take a minute to think this through to see whether there are problems.

One of the tenants of good stewardship is “To be easy to give to.” That sounds pretty simple, but there may be ways in which your gift acceptance procedures can hinder its reality.

What we mean by easy to give to is that the donor shouldn’t have to jump through any “extraordinary hoops” to make a gift. If they have been motivated to make a gift, the mechanisms they use should be ‘simple’, without complications or hurdles.

Certain types of gifts can present a problem here. We all know that mailing a check is probably the most common type of gift. But what about the person who wants to transfer stock, make a distribution from their IRA, give you the extra car in their driveway, or use a debit card? Those gifts take a little extra effort.

So, when you think about your gift acceptance processes, does anything stand out as being difficult?

It is certainly good development strategy to create opportunities for donors to give end of year gifts. This is a way of serving their needs as stewards. But there is also another opportunity for end of year thanks. To be thankful is another way to say to your donors, “you are important, and you are appreciated”. Everyone wants to feel that their gifts, prayers, and volunteers hours make a difference. Thanking your donors can do just that.

Here are just a couple of thankful ideas.

1. Thank you calls : I ask my clients to call their donors and say something like this. “Hi, I am (name/staff/board member) from XYZ ministry and this is not a solicitation call. I just want to thank you for your giving and ask you a couple of questions. First, do you believe your gifts are being used wisely? (listen to answer). Second, do you have any questions about the ministry? (listen again) Thanks again and have a wonderful holiday.

This simple thank you call works wonders, and board members can do it too!

2. Drop By Gifts: I look for single, gift- wrapped truffles and drop by a donor’s office or work place. Then just give them the candy gift with your card and say thanks. No appointment, no meeting. Don’t forget to give one to the “gatekeeper” as well.

These are just two simple ideas to be thankful at this wonderful time of year. Be thankful and appreciate the people who are generous to you and your ministry!