Learn how to inspire and appreciate your staff, donors, supporters, and beneficiaries with these six practical tips and strategies to cultivate philanthropy and gratitude in your non-profit.

To cultivate philanthropy and gratitude at work: 1.) Create easy ways for team members to say thank you to each other. 2.) Provide a platform where team members can share how they give back on their own -- giving, advocating, volunteering. 3.) Offer giving and volunteering opportunities for team members to do together with leadership setting the example. It can be a team volunteer project in the office (which CHC is doing for our upcoming staff retreat), or simply providing a link to purchase supplies or gifts, or a list of volunteer opportunities for individuals or teams. We host an employee workplace giving campaign + year-round giving opportunities such as global disaster relief and supporting a family affected by a home fire.

How can you cultivate philanthropy and gratitude in your non-profit?

Philanthropy and gratitude are essential values for any non-profit organization that wants to make a positive impact and sustain its mission. But how can you foster a culture of giving and appreciation among your staff, donors, supporters, and beneficiaries? In this article, you will learn some practical tips and strategies to cultivate philanthropy and gratitude in your non-profit.

1 Define your vision and values

The first step to cultivate philanthropy and gratitude in your non-profit is to define your vision and values clearly and communicate them effectively. Your vision is your ultimate goal, your reason for being, and your motivation for doing what you do. Your values are the principles and standards that guide your actions and decisions. By articulating your vision and values, you can inspire your staff, donors, supporters, and beneficiaries to share your passion and purpose, and to align their behaviors and expectations with your organizational culture.

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Amanda Ponzar

Influential Communications & Marketing Executive & Highly Networked Social Impact Leader
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To cultivate philanthropy and gratitude at work: 1.) Create easy ways for team members to say thank you to each other. 2.) Provide a platform where team members can share how they give back on their own -- giving, advocating, volunteering. 3.) Offer giving and volunteering opportunities for team members to do together with leadership setting the example. It can be a team volunteer project in the office (which CHC is doing for our upcoming staff retreat), or simply providing a link to purchase supplies or gifts, or a list of volunteer opportunities for individuals or teams. We host an employee workplace giving campaign + year-round giving opportunities such as global disaster relief and supporting a family affected by a home fire.

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Jonathan Jacobs

Non-Profit Founder & Executive Director | Social Impact, People, Culture & Corporate Philanthropy Leader | The Greater Good Project | Rawkstars | ex-Hasbro, ex-Digitas | Measuring Success by Fulfillment, Not Abundance.
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Communicating and documenting your vaues is definitely important. That said, far more important is living them. When companies discuss concepts like 'bringing your full self to work' only to regularly promote folks that look, think and behave alike. Employees can smell inauthentic comms. Values are meaningless unless you're willing to sacrifice for them.

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2 Recognize and celebrate achievements

The second step to cultivate philanthropy and gratitude in your non-profit is to recognize and celebrate achievements, both big and small, by your staff, donors, supporters, and beneficiaries. Recognition and celebration are powerful ways to express gratitude, to acknowledge contributions, and to reinforce positive outcomes. You can recognize and celebrate achievements by sending thank-you notes, giving awards, hosting events, sharing stories, or creating feedback loops. By doing so, you can build trust, loyalty, and satisfaction among your stakeholders, and encourage them to continue their engagement and support.

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Jonathan Jacobs

Non-Profit Founder & Executive Director | Social Impact, People, Culture & Corporate Philanthropy Leader | The Greater Good Project | Rawkstars | ex-Hasbro, ex-Digitas | Measuring Success by Fulfillment, Not Abundance.
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I agree that celebrating achievements is great. That said, letting employees and their peers determine what is worthy of recognizing is a powerful option. Everywhere I've ever worked, there were unsung champions on teams that went under the radar. That guy who everyone on the team goes to with questions. The woman who brings powerful chemistry to the project. The co-worker who asks how you are doing, and actually is interested in the answer. Instead of making these kinds of decisions from the top down, consider creative ways to do the opposite.

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3 Educate and empower your stakeholders

The third step to cultivate philanthropy and gratitude in your non-profit is to educate and empower your stakeholders, especially your donors, supporters, and beneficiaries. Education and empowerment are key to creating a sense of ownership, responsibility, and impact among your stakeholders. You can educate and empower your stakeholders by providing them with information, resources, tools, and opportunities to learn more about your cause, your work, your challenges, and your successes. You can also invite them to participate in your decision-making, planning, evaluation, and advocacy processes, and to share their feedback, ideas, and stories.

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Jonathan Jacobs

Non-Profit Founder & Executive Director | Social Impact, People, Culture & Corporate Philanthropy Leader | The Greater Good Project | Rawkstars | ex-Hasbro, ex-Digitas | Measuring Success by Fulfillment, Not Abundance.
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In my experience, the best way to educate donors and stakeholders is to have the population you serve tell the story for you. Their authentic voice is far more powerful than the writing of a comms professional or a deck filled with data.

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4 Foster a community of giving

The fourth step to cultivate philanthropy and gratitude in your non-profit is to foster a community of giving, where your staff, donors, supporters, and beneficiaries can connect, collaborate, and contribute to your cause. A community of giving is a network of relationships that are based on mutual respect, trust, and generosity. You can foster a community of giving by creating platforms, spaces, and events where your stakeholders can interact, exchange, and support each other. You can also facilitate peer-to-peer fundraising, volunteering, mentoring, and storytelling initiatives that can amplify your impact and reach.

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5 Model philanthropy and gratitude

The fifth step to cultivate philanthropy and gratitude in your non-profit is to model philanthropy and gratitude yourself, as a leader, a manager, or a staff member. Modeling philanthropy and gratitude means demonstrating the values and behaviors that you want to see in others, and setting an example for them to follow. You can model philanthropy and gratitude by being generous with your time, talent, and resources, by being appreciative of others' efforts and achievements, by being transparent and accountable for your actions and results, and by being humble and open to learning and improvement.

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6 Measure and communicate your impact

The sixth and final step to cultivate philanthropy and gratitude in your non-profit is to measure and communicate your impact, both qualitatively and quantitatively, to your staff, donors, supporters, and beneficiaries. Measuring and communicating your impact means collecting, analyzing, and reporting data and stories that show the outcomes and changes that your work has generated or contributed to. By doing so, you can demonstrate your value and effectiveness, as well as your challenges and opportunities, to your stakeholders. You can also show them how their involvement and support have made a difference, and how they can continue to help you achieve your vision.

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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?

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How can you cultivate philanthropy and gratitude in your non-profit?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Define your vision and values

2 Recognize and celebrate achievements

3 Educate and empower your stakeholders

4 Foster a community of giving

5 Model philanthropy and gratitude

6 Measure and communicate your impact

7 Here’s what else to consider

Nonprofit Management

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How can you cultivate philanthropy and gratitude in your non-profit?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Define your vision and values

2 Recognize and celebrate achievements

3 Educate and empower your stakeholders

4 Foster a community of giving

5 Model philanthropy and gratitude

6 Measure and communicate your impact

7 Here’s what else to consider

Nonprofit Management

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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