I'd like to learn more about how other organizations do this. We are looking into creating one and are interested in ideas and ways to make it successful. We're also learning about giving levels and how those donors need to be acknowleged (i.e after a donor has given say $100 do he or she get a personal thank you card completely hand written?) Thanks! Krystine Darkness to Light [Email Removed] [i]--- Edited at 2/14/2006 4:49:54 PM by Krystine [/i]

We have several named giving levels - $500; $1,500; $2,500; $5,000; and $10,000+. We are a school, and we are also starting a young alumni circle (that has yet to be named - the donors for this inaugural year are asked to suggest the name), where the youngest alumni will need to contribute $25 to join, and classes a little further out will need to contribute $100 to join. For our acknowledgements, we have form letters (a separate one for each fund) that go to everyone who donates less that $500. The Executive Director signs them and writes a short note on them, just something simple like "We really appreciate your support!". He hand writes notes to all donors $500 and up. We have a report that gives a short giving history, relationships (important for hand written notes to parents so he can refer to their children by name), and certain note types. I print that for each batch and give to the E.D. to work from for the notes. Johanna Shaw Development and Alumni Relations Associate School Year Abroad [Email Removed]