YMCA of Boulder Valley

Appreciation Committee “To Thank and Honor”

October 11, 2013

Committee Purpose:

To create a new culture in the Y that thanks, educates, and inspires donors and

lets them know that their gifts are respected, well- stewarded, and

appreciated

To “know and honor” our donorsAppreciation Committee- YMCA of Boulder Valley 2

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Appreciation Committee- YMCA of Boulder Valley

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Committee Make Up:

Board Members Community Volunteers

The CEO Development Staff

Marketing Staff

Although this committee is “housed” in the Development area, its members DO NOT ASK FOR

MONEY. Our sole purpose is to create ways to

demonstrate gratitude and make sure that all donors are treated with integrity.

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Established in 2012 – Year 1 ActivitiesThe goals for Year 1 were to:1. Thank donors in meaningful ways2. Dive deeper – get to know donors – find out how they want to be thanked

Activities completed to accomplish our goals: A greeting card thanking donors for their generosity A video of after school kids thanking donors The dedication of a kids area in the name of a donor who passed away Holiday Card

Thank A Thon

Creation of a Hall of Fame Creation of the “Gift”

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6 Appreciation Committee- YMCA of Boulder Valley

Surveys and Interviews

We learned what’s most important to our donors:

Family History Being Remembered Having a “place held” for them Feeling that the Y is a place they can always come back to Values Passing values on to younger people Correct Information “Impact” Moments

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8 Appreciation Committee- YMCA of Boulder Valley

9 Appreciation Committee- YMCA of Boulder Valley

EVALUATION OF YEAR 1

1. Who and Why Have We Served?

2. What Have We Accomplished?

3. What Should We Continue, Add, or Drop?

4. Each committee member was also asked to assign a numerical “‘score” to our work for Year 1

The answers gave us our Chart of Work for Year 2…….

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Appreciation Committee- YMCA of Boulder Valley

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Year 2 – To Thank, Educate, and Inspire…

The goal for 2013 has been to continue to thank, and now to add an “information and inspiration” component:

Re-interview donors from last year Interview NEW donors Create “A Day on the Ice” video PR around our Scholarship program and highlight profiles of the winners. Donor Newsletter Thanksgiving card with a “Did You Know” focus Thank-A-Thon

What We Learned from Interviews - Round 2

• Donors were aware of our efforts and saw them as “positive changes”

• They felt the organization was being run well, and that the staff was “high quality”

• “Created a bridge from the past to the present”• Created opportunities for socialization• Heartfelt appreciation was expressed for no Knick-

Knacks!• Creation of the Scholarship was a “point of pride”• Also…many, many suggestions about how we might

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Donor Feedback Gave More Food for Thought

• How might the Appreciation Committee play a role improving year-round communication with members?

• How might the Appreciation Committee play a role in cultivating more personal relationships with donors?

• How might the Appreciation Committee play a role in streamlining “friend raising” opportunities at the Y?

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Appreciation Committee- YMCA of Boulder Valley

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Benefits of Having an Appreciation Committee

1. Keeps GRATITUDE at the forefront of everything we do. (“Gratitude is one of the most spiritually enhancing words in our lexicon”)

2. A culture is being built that will remain with this Y, no matter how the staff or the volunteer group changes

3. Donors and volunteers will know that their gifts are appreciated, and no matter where they go or what they do, they will always have a place at the Y

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QUESTIONS?IDEAS?

THANK YOU! Appreciation Committee- YMCA of

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