The First Gift Is a Big Deal—Treat It Like One
I’m off to work with a fabulous church in Ashland, OR. Lucky me! While I’m away, enjoy this post from the vault:
What’s that? Maybe there’s something different in your offering plate or a name you don’t recognize through your website’s giving portal.
The new family who has been attending your church for the past month or two has written their first check to your church or has given for the first time online.
How are you going to respond?
For most congregations, it’s with...silence.
But that’s definitely not how it has to be. Nelson Searcy in Maximize – How to Develop Extravagant Givers in Your Church suggests sending a “first-time givers” letter. The letter is important because it:
Recognizes and appreciates that a gift has been given
Gives you an opportunity to reiterate the mission of your congregation
Assures the giver that you know how to appropriately handle their money
Lets you write a personal note of thanks
There is no set formula for how this letter should look but here’s one example. In addition, here are a few guidelines you should follow to make your letter as effective as possible:
Include a picture
Address the letter to a real person (as opposed to “Dear Friend”)
Put it on letterhead
Personally sign it (be sure to use a different color pen so it’s clear that it’s not copied)
Write an additional note of gratitude.
Don’t miss a great opportunity to reach out to someone who may be making a leap of faith by giving for the first time.
Go ahead and write that letter. And, really, don’t be too shocked when you see new gifts in your offering plates or showing up in your online giving report. Rejoice! And recognize those first-time givers.
Originally published July 10, 2013
Photo credit: Michael Lima on Upsplash.com
###Cesie Delve Scheuermann (pronounced “CC Delv Sherman,” yes, really) is a Stewardship Consultant for the OR-ID Annual Conference. She is also a Senior Ministry Strategist with Horizons Stewardship – helping with capital campaigns and encouraging more generosity. For 25 years, while working as a volunteer and part-time consultant, she has helped raise millions of dollars for numerous churches and non-profit organizations. Here’s a handy training video letting you know the 7 Habits that Make Visitors Feel Welcome.
You can reach Cesie at inspiringgenerosity@gmail.com, at CesieScheuermann.com, or at cesieds@horizons.net. Want to schedule a meeting? She’s got you covered!
Schedule a meeting now.
If someone has forwarded this to you and you would like to subscribe to "Inspiring Generosity," click here. Miss an issue? Click here.