Recurring donations are a great way to help animal shelters, rescues, and other animal organizations. When you set up the ability for recurring donations through your donation platform, donors will be able to contribute the same amount of money to your shelter each month, automatically. For organizations, recurring donations provide some financial stability and help keep monthly budgets on track.
Some nonprofits do send an acknowledgment letter every month after a gift is made, but it is not necessary. Consider including monthly donors in ways that help thank them throughout the year. This can include special invitations to organization events, a free calendar or other small item.
If you will not be sending them a monthly thank you letter, let them know that you will send a year-end tax statement.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind for donation thank you letters:
- Personalize your message. Thank-you letters should always include the recipient’s name. No generic form letters.
- Keep the message brief and let them know they made a difference.
- The sign-off should be from someone within the organization. This could be the treasurer, the organization president, or the shelter manager.
- Consider adding a P.S. Postscripts get read, sometimes more so than the body of the letter. They can be invitations to visit the website or add a specific reminder.
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear [Recipient],
Thank you so much for your monthly donation to the Humane Society of Walden. Your generous gift of [Amount] will have a substantially positive impact on our organization.
Recurring gifts are such an important part of keeping our mission afloat. Thanks to your generous gift, we are able us to continue to provide food, shelter, medical care, and compassion for the animals in our care while we seek permanent placement for them with loving adopters.
Thank you so much – on behalf the animals we serve – for believing in second chances. We couldn’t do this without you.
Sincerely,
[Sender]
[Position], [Organization Name]
[email address]​
SAMPLE LETTER
This is the email version (can be made into a letter) for the first donation.
Dear [Recipient],
Your gift makes an impact…
Thank you for setting up a recurring donation of [Amount], to benefit the [Organization].
As a member of the [Organization] [Board of Directors], I would like to personally thank you for making our work possible.
We are honored to act as a bridge between homelessness and forever for the hundreds of animals who walk through our doors every year. We couldn’t do it without your support, and are so grateful for your generosity. Your donation helps make it possible for us to provide homeless animals with exceptional medical care and a soft place to land when they need it the most
FOR YOUR TAX PURPOSES
Donor Name: [Name]
Donor Date: [Donation Date]
Donation Amount: [Amount]
Payment Method: [Payment Method]
[Organization Name] is an exempt organization as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; Tax Identification [Number XX-XXXXXXX]. No goods or services were provided in exchange for this contribution.
With deep gratitude,
[Sender]
[Position], [Organization Name]
[email address]​
PS: [Message here]
Recurring Donation followup email on the second month and so on…
Dear [Recipient],
Thank you for your continued support of [Organization]!
You have made it possible for us to provide homeless animals with exceptional medical care and a soft place to land when they need it the most. Your recurring donation of [Amount] made on [Date] has received and the details of your gift are below.
Sincerely,
The Staff and Board,
[Organization],
FOR YOUR TAX PURPOSES
Donor Name: [Name]
Donor Date: [Donation Date]
Donation Amount: [Amount]
Payment Method: [Payment Method]
Use this animal shelter donation thank you letter template and tailor it to your shelter’s unique voice, mission, and specific needs. Your passion and expertise are what make your shelter stand out. By customizing this letter, you can ensure that your message resonates authentically with your shelter donors.
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