--- title: Your Next Important Step after Your Year-End Campaign · DickersonBakker blog description: Congratulations! You’ve successfully navigated your non-profit to a new year. That’s saying a lot these days! But what should be your next carefully placed step? I’m glad you asked. Because many non-profits miss one of the most important things that … read more --- [![DB-logo-2023](https://blog.dickersonbakker.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DB%20Logos/DB-logo-2023.png?width=1300&height=214&name=DB-logo-2023.png "DB-logo-2023")](https://dickersonbakker.com/) - Home - Who We Are - [About Us](https://dickersonbakker.com/about/) - [Our Team](https://dickersonbakker.com/about/our-team/) - What We Do - [Fundraising Solutions](https://dickersonbakker.com/fundraising-solutions/) - [Capital Campaigns](https://dickersonbakker.com/capital-campaigns/) - [Executive Search](https://dickersonbakker.com/executive-search/) - [Grant Services](https://dickersonbakker.com/grant-services/) - Who We Serve - [National & Regional Nonprofits](https://dickersonbakker.com/national-regional-nonprofits/) - [Global Aid & Outreach Ministries](https://dickersonbakker.com/global-aid-outreach-ministries/) - [Christian & Private Schools](https://dickersonbakker.com/christian-private-schools/) - [Higher Education](https://dickersonbakker.com/higher-education/) - [Salvation Army](https://dickersonbakker.com/salvation-army/) - [Rescue Missions](https://dickersonbakker.com/rescue-missions/) - [Community Organizations](https://dickersonbakker.com/community-organizations/) - [Camps/Conference Centers](https://dickersonbakker.com/camps-conference-centers/) - [Broadcast Ministries](https://dickersonbakker.com/broadcast-ministries/) - Resources - [News & Insights](https://dickersonbakker.com/blog/) - [Case Studies](https://dickersonbakker.com/case-studies/) - [Research Studies](https://dickersonbakker.com/research-studies/) - [Upcoming and On-Demand Webinars](https://dickersonbakker.com/upcoming-and-on-demand-webinars/) - [Contact](https://dickersonbakker.com/contact/) # DickersonBakker Blog ### Your Next Important Step after Your Year-End Campaign January 19, 2021 By [Guest Contributor Paula Martin](https://blog.dickersonbakker.com/author/guest-contributor-paula-martin) [Categories Boards Campaign Planning Study Capital](https://blog.dickersonbakker.com/tag/categories-boards-campaign-planning-study-capital-) Congratulations! You’ve successfully navigated your non-profit to a new year. That’s saying a lot these days! But what should be your next carefully placed step? I’m glad you asked. Because many non-profits miss one of the most important things that lead to a second gift from a donor. It’s what your mom always told you to do. Say “thank you!” And really mean it. When a donor spends their precious time (and dollars) to support your organization, it means they believe strongly in what you are doing. For the relationship to continue, you must show you care about the donor. Saying thank you is a small gesture which is full of great impact. *But* *it should be a sincere thank you.* The perfunctory ‘thank you’ your donor software system spits out is not the type of thank you I am suggesting. The words and tone must be warm (not the regulatory type of language from the IRS).  It might take a bit of time and effort on your end to change that wording, but it’s worth it. This is just step one. Your thank you message should go even further than this! Pick up the phone and thank them in person. A call just to say, “Thank you!” is so meaningful. Another great touch? Send a short, hand-written thank you note. Who knew your mom was so smart? Can we help you strengthen your donor relationships by strategic, impactful messaging?  Let’s talk! [Contact us today.](https://dickersonbakker.com/contact/) Written by: ## Guest Contributor Paula Martin [Full Bio](https://blog.dickersonbakker.com/author/guest-contributor-paula-martin) | [More by Guest Contributor Paula Martin](https://blog.dickersonbakker.com/author/guest-contributor-paula-martin) [Back to blog](https://blog.dickersonbakker.com) ### Get Our Newsletter ### Categories - [Categories Boards Campaign Planning Study Capital (259)](https://blog.dickersonbakker.com/tag/categories-boards-campaign-planning-study-capital-) - [Nonprofit Organizations (32)](https://blog.dickersonbakker.com/tag/nonprofit-organizations) - [Fundraising (29)](https://blog.dickersonbakker.com/tag/fundraising) - [Leadership (21)](https://blog.dickersonbakker.com/tag/leadership) - [News (19)](https://blog.dickersonbakker.com/tag/news) ### Search Shares ![Facebook](https://blog.dickersonbakker.com/hubfs/Dickerson_Bakker_October2019/Images/Floating%20Social%20Icons/Facebook.png) ![Twitter](https://blog.dickersonbakker.com/hubfs/Dickerson_Bakker_October2019/Images/Floating%20Social%20Icons/Twitter.png) ![Google+](https://blog.dickersonbakker.com/hubfs/Dickerson_Bakker_October2019/Images/Floating%20Social%20Icons/googleplus.png) ![Email](https://blog.dickersonbakker.com/hubfs/download.png) ![LinkedIn](https://blog.dickersonbakker.com/hubfs/Dickerson_Bakker_October2019/Images/Floating%20Social%20Icons/Linked%20In.png) ## What does forward look like for you? Contact us today to discuss how our team of experienced professionals can help you get there. [Let's get started](https://dickersonbakker.com/contact/) 1998 Hendersonville Road, Suite 23, Asheville NC 28803 (800) 382-0094 [info@dickerson-bakker.com](mailto:info@dickerson-bakker.com) 2023 Dickerson, Bakker & Associates.  All Rights Reserved [Privacy Policy](https://dickersonbakker.com/privacy-policy/)