If your organization accepts donations, there may come a time when you will be called upon to accept a donation. It is imperative that you know how to accept the donation with respect and dignity. Regardless of the amount of the donation, it is wise to make the donor feel that their donation is well received.

For some, they may not have much to give. For them you need to reassure them that the amount is just right and that many others donate approximately the same amount. Of course you shouldn’t name names as to who gave what, but simply stating that many people donate almost that amount will reassure them that their gift is adequate.

We all have insecurities within us. When it comes to giving to organizations or groups, sometimes we really wish we had more to give. This is when it is reassuring that the amount we are giving is perfectly acceptable. Sure others may give more than we do, but so what. This is one case where the saying it isn’t the amount but the thought that counts.

It’s much better to get 100 people giving 10 dollars and feeling that they helped than to have 10 people to give 100 and feel that it didn’t. Yes, I can count and I realize that they both add up to $1000. I also know that those 100 people telling their friends and relatives about your cause will generate even more funds for your organization. The ten that don’t feel that they helped, may not tell anyone, but then they may also tell that they gave what they felt was a generous amount only to be made feel that their donation wasn’t enough.

Making each donor feel special doesn’t mean bowing at their feet or giving them star treatment. It simply means treating them with respect and reassuring them that their donation is just what you needed. It may require you to develop a poker face to use when doing fundraising activities. Smile and be courteous and good natured without being phoney or inconsiderate acting.

Yes, I am aware that I contradicted myself there. Think of your favorite actor or actress, you know, the one that can play a good and bad character with equal believability. Sure the characters they portray are contradictions of each other, but the actor or actress is still the same person. They may not be truly like either character but yet, they convince you that they are like both. You know they are phoney, but they convince you otherwise.

You have the advantage because you don’t have to act like a different character. You get to play yourself but portray a positive, respectfully, thankful receiver for your organization. You reassure them that their donation is the perfect amount without falling at their feet and gushing over their enormous generosity.

Even if their donation is of the extreme generous nature, remember to not gush and over thank profusely. Keep your dignity and accept it like it happens on a regular basis. If they feel that you are overly eager to receive their donation, they may feel that they gave too much. Next time they may not be so inclined to donate so generously. If you act too nonchalant, however, they may feel that their donation is not adequately appreciated.

Regardless of how hard you try, there will eventually be some that feel that you did not appreciate their donation enough. Don’t let these get you down. Instead keep focusing on your goal of making all your donors feel that they are the perfect donor. In the long run, your efforts will pay off.