Customized Gratitude Programs

Why do so many nonprofit organizations still cling to donor honor rolls as a way to recognize donors for their giving? At the DRG Group, we are firmly in the “no honor roll camp” and have a litany of resources to support that reasoning. But flip through an annual report or concert program and you’re all but certain to find a list of the previous year’s donors, organized by donation amount and usually tied to a giving society that exists on a beautifully designed (and thoughtfully tucked away) page on the organization’s website. If we took the time and effort that goes into producing monstrously ineffective honor rolls, and pooled those resources instead into a piece on the impact of a gift, the story behind the gift, and the story behind the donor, we would be much more effective in recognizing the people behind the gift. Those people and their stories are what truly make philanthropy possible. There are so many more meaningful ways to recognize your donors. Here are just a 5 ideas to get you started: ✏️ Handwritten messages ­from beneficiaries Thank you notes are great, but stories of impact are better. Don’t just ask students to write a thank you note—ask them to share the impact the donor’s gift has made on their life. Empower them to share their story! 🧑🤝🧑 Face-to-face interaction with beneficiaries Donors want to meet the people, animals, or communities that benefit from their philanthropy. When possible, create opportunities for donors and beneficiaries to connect. These can be virtual or in-person interactions—but steer clear of interactions that may be outside of the beneficiary’s comfort zone (i.e., scholarship dinners). 📖 Turn the tables Instead of creating a list of donors, craft a list of beneficiaries and share their stories with your donors. This approach brings your donors’ gifts to life! Sort these stories by program or area so donors can see the impact they made in the places they care about most. 📹 Send personalized videos Handwritten messages are still Queen in the world of showing gratitude—but add a personalized video and the donor experience becomes that much better. ThankView is a simple and inexpensive way to send personalized videos to every donor that allows them to see their impact in action. ⭐ Share their stories Bill Gates once shared that giving is “contagious” and that donors’ stories inspire others to give generously as well. Ask your donors why they give. What’s their story? Then share it—along with your gratitude for their generous support—on your website, social media pages (make sure you tag the donor!), and in publications. Bottom line: a listing of one’s name and donation amount doesn’t inspire generosity in others or foster a relationship with current donors. Lead the way in finding creative outlets to honor donors and celebrate their impact! By Colton Withers

Make Thursdays a Day of Gratitude: A Simple Habit for Extraordinary Impact What if one small, consistent habit could transform your workplace culture and strengthen your relationships with clients, partners, and teammates? David Rich, CEO of ICC Decision Services, did just that by instituting "Thank You Thursdays." Every Thursday, after their daily meeting, every team member writes a handwritten thank-you note. That’s over 1,000 heartfelt messages of appreciation annually! Here’s how it works: 👉 Most notes go to contractors, like the Midwest mystery shopper who braved tornadoes to complete an assignment. 👉 Others go to customers or colleagues, fostering a culture of mutual respect and recognition. 👉 ICC even upgraded to custom thank-you cards, adding a personal, branded touch. Here’s the kicker: The goal isn’t business development—it’s genuine appreciation. As account exec Geoff Popovich shared, people can sense authenticity. The cards may or may not generate business, but they always generate goodwill. Why it works: 🔑 Gratitude boosts morale and strengthens relationships. 🔑 Small habits, repeated weekly, create a rhythm that fuels long-term success. 🔑 It’s simple, scalable, and impactful—perfect for ambitious business owners. The challenge for you: Start your version of Thank You Thursdays. Order a set of cards for your team. Make it part of your routine. Show your clients, employees, or partners that they matter. Your business thrives when people feel appreciated. Let gratitude become your competitive edge. Who's ready to join me in starting this habit? Let’s make appreciation part of our business DNA. #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #Gratitude #TeamCulture #BusinessOwners

Cultivating a culture of gratitude isn't just a seasonal affair—it's a year-round gift that keeps giving. Leaders need to show gratitude in more ways than one to show appreciation for others. Some ideas on how to do this: 1. Daily Doses of Appreciation: Make gratitude a daily practice. Encourage leaders and team members alike to express appreciation for each other's contributions regularly. A simple thank-you note or a shout-out in a team meeting can go a long way in recognizing individual efforts. 2. Personalized Recognition: Go beyond generic acknowledgments. Tailor your expressions of gratitude to highlight each team member's unique strengths and qualities. Personalized recognition resonates more deeply and reinforces a sense of individual value within the team. 3. Celebrate Milestones: Acknowledge achievements, both significant and minor. Whether hitting a major project milestone or simply reaching a work anniversary, celebrating accomplishments creates a positive atmosphere. It motivates employees to continue putting forth their best efforts to the organization. 4. Create a Gratitude Board: Establish a visual representation of appreciation with a gratitude board. Encourage team members to post notes expressing gratitude for their colleagues' contributions. Consider a Slack channel where you can shout out to one another, or if you’re in the office, you can create a physical board. 5. Thoughtful Employee Recognition Programs: Implement thoughtful recognition programs that extend beyond traditional awards. Consider initiatives that spotlight teamwork, innovation, or going above and beyond. These programs boost morale, contributes to a collaborative and positive work environment. You can also leverage platforms that allows rewards for performance-based work financially. This might vary by industry, but I assure you it works. 6. Flexibility and Well-Being Initiatives: Show gratitude by recognizing the importance of work-life harmony. Implement flexible work arrangements or well-being initiatives prioritizing employees' mental and physical health. Demonstrating concern for their overall well-being enhances morale and fosters a sense of loyalty. 7. Open Channels for Feedback: Gratitude isn't just about top-down acknowledgment. Create open channels for feedback where team members can express appreciation for each other. This two-way street of gratitude contributes to a culture of mutual respect and support. 8. Professional Development Opportunities: Invest in your team's growth as a token of appreciation. Offer professional development opportunities, training programs, or mentorship initiatives that empower employees to enhance their skills and advance their careers. What are some things that you or your company do to recognize team members? . . . . #gratitude #beingthankful #beinggrateful #boostingemployeemorale #leadership #leadinglikeaPRO #connectinglikeaPRO # leadinglikeaPRO