What are the best ways to thank stakeholders for their help?

1 Know your stakeholders

The first step is to identify and segment your stakeholders according to their needs, preferences, and expectations. You want to tailor your thank-you messages and actions to their specific interests and motivations. For example, some stakeholders may value a personal phone call or a handwritten note, while others may prefer a public shout-out or a gift card. Some may appreciate a detailed report on how their contribution made a difference, while others may enjoy a testimonial or a story from a beneficiary. Knowing your stakeholders will help you create a more personalized and relevant thank-you.

2 Be timely and consistent

The second step is to thank your stakeholders as soon as possible after they have helped you in some way, whether it is a donation, a volunteer service, a referral, or a feedback. You want to acknowledge their generosity and support while it is fresh in their minds and hearts. You also want to thank them regularly and consistently, not just once a year or when you need something from them. You can use different channels and formats to keep in touch with them, such as newsletters, social media, emails, events, or surveys. The key is to make them feel valued and connected to your mission and vision.

3 Be sincere and specific

The third step is to thank your stakeholders in a sincere and specific way. You want to avoid generic and vague expressions of gratitude, such as "thank you for your support" or "we appreciate your help". Instead, you want to use their names, mention what they did and how it helped, and express your emotions and impact. For example, "Dear John, thank you for your generous donation of $500 to our food bank. Your gift will provide 200 meals to families in need in our community. We are so grateful for your kindness and compassion."

4 Be creative and memorable

The fourth step is to thank your stakeholders in a creative and memorable way. You want to surprise and delight them with something that stands out and shows your personality and uniqueness. You can use different media and tools to create thank-you messages and actions that are fun, engaging, and meaningful. For example, you can send them a video, a podcast, a song, a poem, a drawing, a collage, or a game. You can also invite them to a special event, a tour, a workshop, or a celebration. You can also collaborate with other non-profits or local businesses to offer them discounts, coupons, or freebies.

5 Be strategic and impactful

The fifth step is to thank your stakeholders in a strategic and impactful way. You want to use your thank-you messages and actions as opportunities to deepen your relationship with them and to inspire them to take further action. You can do this by providing them with more information, resources, stories, and updates about your non-profit and your cause. You can also ask them for their feedback, input, ideas, or suggestions on how to improve your work and reach your goals. You can also encourage them to share your non-profit with their networks, to join your advocacy campaigns, or to become recurring donors or volunteers.

6 Be grateful and humble

The sixth and final step is to thank your stakeholders in a grateful and humble way. You want to express your gratitude not only for what they have done, but also for who they are and what they stand for. You want to acknowledge their strengths, values, passions, and aspirations, and how they align with yours. You want to show them that you respect and admire them, and that you are honored and proud to work with them. You want to remind them that they are part of something bigger and more important than themselves, and that they are making a positive difference in the world.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?