Did you receive an thank you for your donation to your private school?

[Anonymous]

So this is the second year we have donated to our school's annual fund. Both years we made a $1500 donation through our donor advised fund. Last year we never received a thank you from the school and this year it has been a month since the check cleared and again, we haven't gotten any acknowledgement.

Last year I did reach out to the development office, just to make sure the check got into the right hands, and they were apologetic about not sending the acknowledgement. I sense this will be another year of the same situation of no letter of thanks.

It's not that we need a letter for taxes, but we are just feeling under appreciated at this point and don't feel very motivated to donate again in future years.

I realize in the scheme of things, our donation isn't a huge one compared to large donors, but it is certainly more than the suggested donation in the appeal.

For what it's worth, when we donate to my husband's alma mater, we not only get a letter from the school, but we also get a phone call from a student, which is a very nice touch.

[Anonymous]

Yes, always, from both the dev office and some thing signed by the HOS.

[Anonymous]

^ and for a far less donation amount than you mentioned

[Anonymous]

On the bright side, it will be awkward for them to “follow up” with an ask for more money than what you gave. Do schools still do that?

[Anonymous]

It’s inexcusable no matter what size the gift. I would call them and call them on it

I’ve worked in Development and I will say that sometimes DAFs do not always come in with the donor name. However, well run office with the proper software should be tracking all their trends.

[Anonymous]

Yes, we get a letter from the president of the school. But we *really* need a thank you and would be just as happy if they spent those resources elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

Really don’t need a TY

[Anonymous]

Always. 100%.

We don't care but not getting one is just REALLY shoddy and poor business practice.
There are donors who will cease to give if they do not receive acknowledgement.

[Anonymous]

We have always made a similarly sized contribution to our K-8 and have received a thank you letter signed by the HOS every year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, always, from both the dev office and some thing signed by the HOS.

Same.

[Anonymous]

Usually yes, even though I think the office is generally out of touch and disorganized.
More annoyed that there is a choice of how to direct it, and they do not manage to direct it. This has limited my giving.

[Anonymous]

Is OP at NCS?

[Anonymous]

Yes. I donate 1000 a year and get a letter and hos will thank me occasionally if I see him after a recent donation.

[Anonymous]

In November I donated to 6 nonprofits.

I didn’t even get an acknowledgement from 5. The only one to thank and/or acknowledge the gift was my kid’s school. The largest was an 8000 gift and I had to follow up to make sure it was categorized correctly. The smallest was 600 and I haven’t yet followed up, but I haven’t even received a tax receipt yet.

I gave to a local political candidate, a not insignificant amount, and didn’t even receive an automated note.

I used to work in fundraising and the lack of donor maintenance is just astonishing. I don’t need a “thank you” but the poor craft is shocking. It comes across all wrong and if they’re doing this to all their donors, I don’t know their plan to keep raising.

Nonprofits are suffering like everywhere else with low supply of labor.

[Anonymous]

Yes and a receipt on letterhead for tax purposes.