Stewardship: How and Why Gratitude Always Wins

By Shannan Brommer

A Christian steward is one who receives God’s gifts gratefully, cherishes and tends them in a responsible and accountable manner, shares them in justice and love with others, and returns them with increase to the Lord. — USCCB, Pastoral Letter on Stewardship, 1992

Why Gratitude is so important

Nurturing Stewardship

As Archdiocesan parish and school leaders and staff, we are surrounded by people who share their gifts in big and small ways. It is our responsibility to honor their generosity and intention to serve. Those who support our parishes and schools have made a decision to do so – prayerfully and intentionally. By honoring their support, we inspire their choice to live as a Christian steward, one who recognizes that every gift is a gift from God.

Donor Retention

According to a 2018 Chronicle of Philanthropy article, the average nonprofit loses close to 50 percent of its donors from one year to the next because those donors were not properly thanked. Until you renew someone’s support, he or she is not yet a member of the “family,” but simply a visitor. It’s critical to ensure our donors and volunteers feel appreciated and valued no matter how much or how little they give.

Gratitude Best Practices

Make the most of acknowledgement letters

It is more expensive to acquire a new donor than to retain a current donor, so our efforts to retain current supporters is important and cost effective. Although nonprofits are not legally required to send an acknowledgement letter if a gift is less than $250, it is still worthwhile to send a letter or note – in a timely manner – for every gift. Create acknowledgement letters that are much more than a tax receipt and are personal, warm, engaging and speak to the impact of the gift. Important best practices:
• Send acknowledgement letters for contributions within 48 hours
• The letter should be well-written and meaningful
• Make it personal. Even a simple post script can make a difference

Other gratitude opportunities

Other ways to thank donors:
• Immediate phone call to new donors (Studies show that a one-minute thank you call to a new donor increased the likelihood of another gift by more than 30%)
• New donor welcome packet
• Thank you videos
• Thank you events for donors and volunteers

Practice a Ministry of Presence

We can show appreciation for people by being present in their lives at important moments: when they are being honored by other organizations, at funerals, at Masses when a loved one is being remembered.

Create a Culture of Gratitude

• Expectancy vs. expectation—As we invite people into our missions, we hope they will respond, and it is better for us to wait in grateful anticipation (expectancy) rather than placing our own expectations on another.
• Watch your mouth—How we talk about philanthropy/ giving/development makes an enormous difference. Language matters. Consider the difference between solicit, hit someone up vs. invite, encourage, support.
• Prayer—As we remember people in our prayers for whatever they bring to our missions, the more deeply we move into that gratitude space.
• Gratitude Audit—Look at your systems and operations including the acknowledgement process, communication vehicles (print, social, web, electronic) and other activities and consider where opportunities for gratitude may be missing such as in bulletins, messages from the pulpit or during meetings. Look at everything you do and ask yourself is gratitude at the core? Is there a way to better express gratitude or add gratitude?

It is important to think about those who have shared their gifts with our parish, school or ministry. If their contributions are acknowledged in meaningful ways, the more likely they are to continue building a relationship with us. This is a critical step in engaging parishioners, school families and community members in the life-giving work of our Church.

– Archdiocese of Omaha Pastoral Services help Church leaders to transform their cultures to embody the Pastoral Vision of being One Church, Encountering Jesus, Equipping Disciples, and Living Mercy.