The Slow and Boring Path

Say thank you

We've all heard the donor who said, "You don't have to send me a thank-you letter. Save the money." He's lying. He wants to be thanked, even if he doesn't realize it. If you fail to thank him, he'll stop giving.

Make thanking donors a priority. Thank them promptly (the sooner after the gift, the better). Thank them creatively and emotionally. Put at least as much thought into thanking as you do into asking.