Are you hoping for a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow or are you planning to catch the elusive leprechaun? If you aren’t feeling lucky, a sure way to turn pledges into donations is to provide quarterly giving statements to your members.
Let’s face it, your members do not wake up thinking about what they have pledged and given to your organization. Why not give them a visual reminder to help them stay on track for the year?
Here are some ideas of what to include in your quarterly statements:
Pledge amount
Several organizations request a pledge from members to help set their financial goals. However, many times the pledge amount is collected months before the giving period starts. Have your members forgotten what they pledged?
Donation totals
This shows the member how much they have given year to date. It is very important for your members to see what they have given on paper. Are they in line to meet the goal of their annual pledge? This will help them see reality.
Invitation
Invite your members to continue to give. Provide an envelope for their next donation, or include instructions for online giving. Ask them to do something, not just read something.
Quarterly statements are typically sent out at the beginning of the month following the end of the quarter. For example, the first quarter ends March 31st. After your March 31st donations have been posted you should make the statements available at the beginning of April. Also set calendar reminders for July and October.
Good Luck! Although with Quarterly Statements you won’t need any.
For instructions on creating Donation Statements in IconCMO, please visit our prior blog post The IRS and Your Donation Statements.
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