Thoughts on Thank You Notes
The thank you note often is created and sent without much thought.
Purposeful and well thought out thank you notes keep donors. Consider the following:
Get the letter out quickly! The faster you get your thank you notes out the door, the better. Donors want to be sure that you received their gift and a thank you note is the best way to let them know it arrived safely.
Personalize. Instead of sending out a generic letter, customize your thank you note by
(1) calling the donor by name
(2) thanking them for the specific dollar amount they sent
(3) being sincere -this means cutting the formality and generalities
Tell the donor what you will do with their money. Make sure the donor knows how you plan to use the donation he or she has sent you. This creates a feeling of satisfaction for the donor.
Not the time to ask for more. The sole purpose of this note is to thank the donor with deepest, sincerest thanks for their donation. This is not an opportunity to make an additional ask.
Use a real signature. Use blue ink and sign the note. Digital signatures save time but technologically-savvy donors know the difference between a digital signature and a live one.
The State: Even Politics Feels Effects of Recession
The struggling S.C. economy could mean shorter-than-usual 2010 campaigns for offices including governor, U.S. Senate and the State House.
Why?
The down economy is cutting into contributions to political candidates.
Political fundraisers say they are working harder than ever, using new techniques to raise money, and still many regular contributors are declining to give.
Individuals have less money to give, as do businesses and political action committees.
“Candidates are working harder, keeping donors motivated,” said Wendy Homeyer, whose Columbia-based Homeyer Strategy Group helps raise money for more than a dozen members of the State House, most Republicans. “They’re having to open their Rolodex again and look at different methods of bringing in donors.”
Homeyer said many candidates are pushing for small, frequent donations, a fundraising method that helped President Barack Obama break campaign finance records.
Also, when they cannot collect a check now, candidates are looking to collect pledges for future contributions, Homeyer said. “They’re creating a payment plan.”
Elizabeth Donehue of Columbia also helps raise money for political candidates, as well as groups and associations. But, she said, last year’s presidential and State House elections have tapped out frequent givers.
“It’s tough and it’s going to be tough,” said Donehue, who fundraises primarily for Republican candidates. “We’re coming off this election cycle and people are burnt out. … Folks were just asked from all corners.”
Homeyer and Donehue said the tight-fisted political donors are making it more important than ever for candidates to bank the money that is available — and, equally important, keep it out of an opponent’s account.
For example, 1st District U.S. Rep. Henry Brown, a Republican from Hanahan, held back $500,000 from his tough November general election challenge for the 2010 election cycle, said Rod Shealy Sr. of Irmo, Brown’s campaign consultant.
Why?
It was obvious in November that political money would be scarce during the next cycle, Shealy said.
“That turns out to be a pretty crafty move,” said Shealy, who specializes in running shoestring campaigns. “The down economy could definitely impact the upcoming elections.”
Shealy has a long-standing relationship with another candidate eyeing a 2010 race — Republican Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer.
With fellow Republicans Gresham Barrett of Westminster, the 3rd District congressman, and Henry McMaster of Columbia, S.C. attorney general, Bauer is a likely candidate to succeed Mark Sanford, who is barred from a third term. On the Democratic side, state Rep. James Smith of Columbia is expected to run.
The governor’s race isn’t the only 2010 contest on the election card. Republican U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint of Greenville will be seeking re-election and is expected to draw Democratic opposition.
Less money and fewer donations will level the playing field among all the 2010 candidates, said Shealy. The longer the economy struggles, the more likely voters are to hold it against incumbents, said the Republican consultant.
Both Shealy and Donehue said the embattled economy could mean campaigns will delay the start of their television advertising until closer to election day.
“Pushing things back is a smart idea,” Donehue said. “It gives folks a break.”
Added Shealy: “It won’t shorten the campaign, but it will shorten the television campaign. To most voters, the television campaign is the campaign.”
By JOHN O’CONNOR
joconnor@thestate.com
Real Simple: Hosting a political fundraiser
Real Simple Magazine printed the following article. Thought I would share.
Hosting a Political Fund-Raiser
What to know when throwing a political party
Whether in support of a close friend’s run for city council or a well-established candidate’s campaign in a federal election, political fund-raisers are a wonderful way for concerned citizens to make more than just their votes count. However, hosting these events is a little more complicated than throwing one designed to help a local school or a nonprofit organization. Indeed, you can’t just jump into the political fund-raising arena armed with only good intentions and enthusiasm. Cindy Darrison, the managing director of Eliot Spitzer’s 2006 New York State gubernatorial campaign and a professor of campaign finance at New York University, offers the following advice on doing it by the book.
- Know the rules. Depending on the level of the election in which you hope to get involved (local, state, federal), your fund-raising for the campaign will be governed by differing sets of regulations. You must contact the campaign-finance board for your jurisdiction to learn the limit on individual campaign contributions. Even if you don’t personally write a check to the organization, your event spending, which is considered an indirect contribution, cannot exceed this amount. You also need to find out whether you can accept corporate donations and how much money you’re allowed to receive in cash. “Always know the rules and play by the rules,” warns Darrison. “Because if you do it wrong, there are criminal penalties.”
- Know the ropes. Once you’re up to speed on the financial protocols, you’ll need to address some practical concerns. Before you start planning any political fund-raising event, touch base with members of the official campaign. First check the campaign’s website for general information, then contact a representative by phone for specifics. Apart from the legal considerations, each campaign has its own guidelines covering the types of fund-raisers it typically hosts and how it plans them.“Often,” says Darrison, “a campaign will have a house-party kit — basically, a party in a box, with sample invitations, response forms, materials to hand out. And they may have particular rules: The candidate doesn’t do events in bars, for example, or they really need more neighborhood events.” Conferring with those who are intimately involved with the campaign’s long-term goals and strategies will ensure that your efforts are as effective as possible.
- Know that every little bit helps. While the laws for political fund-raising may seem complicated or discouraging, don’t let them deter you from participating. Many people can and do plan fun, original events, including concerts, dinners, and cocktail parties with speakers. Even the smallest events can be helpful to a campaign. “If you’re bringing in new donors and votes,” Darrison says, “you don’t necessarily have to raise big money.”
March 2006
Come Meet Scott Ramsey
UPDATE: Unfortunately, this event has been postponed due to a team scheduling conflict. We will let you know when it is rescheduled.
