Devise Marketing Plan and Issue Receipts

Every institution – large or small, local or global, commercial, private, non-governmental and governmental – should have a comprehensive marketing plan that will outline its vision, mission and steps to fulfill its objectives. The organization should brand itself and activities in the minds of its audience. A successful marketing plan will serve as a roadmap for the organization’s management to expand outreach, grow members and supporters that will subscribe to your ideas, contribute funds, and dramatically improve the success of your organization.

Fundraising is important for NGOs and consequently so is keeping records. Contributors – large and small – should have receipts for their contributions. If your organization issues receipts after each donation, then you may not have to send anything at the end of the year. Donors have a record. However, it’s not a bad idea to send them another receipt at this time of the year. According to Sumac.com, an end-of-year statement is a simple letter that again thanks donors for their generosity and reminds them what they donated during the year. It is also a subtle reminder of your existence and your worthy mission. It’s really easy to produce and it’s just one more opportunity to indicate that you’ll return to them with another request in the current year.

A year-end statement can be as simple as this:

Dear (name),

We are so grateful for your support for our projects throughout 2014.

Here is a summary of your generous contributions:

(optionally, list details of each donation)

Total contributions for 2014 = (amount)

Thank you!

Here’s to continuing to make great things happen in 2015. We hope that you will be as generous this year.

Sincerely,

(signature of someone with authority)

Contact me for more ideas and guidance.