Grateful Wednesday: Your Secret to Turning Giving Tuesday Momentum into Lasting Donor Relationships

Giving Tuesday is a whirlwind of generosity. Nonprofits pull out all the stops—emails, campaigns, and rallies to inspire gifts. But what happens next?

Meet Grateful Wednesday—your golden opportunity to keep that momentum going. It’s more than a follow-up; it’s your chance to show your donors just how much they mean to your mission. And trust us, that “thank you” can make all the difference.

What Exactly Is Grateful Wednesday?

Grateful Wednesday is all about taking a beat, pausing the hustle, and focusing on one thing: gratitude. It’s your organization’s chance to say, “Hey, we see you. We appreciate you.”

Whether through a quick video message, a personalized email, or a shoutout on social media, Grateful Wednesday is your moment to turn one-time donors into lifelong supporters by making them feel genuinely valued.

The Power of the Day After

Giving Tuesday is a force—energizing donors to give, often for the first time. But the story shouldn’t end there. The Wednesday after Giving Tuesday, which we’ve coined as Grateful Wednesday, is the perfect moment to continue the conversation.

Why? Because it’s when donors are still riding that feel-good wave. It’s when a heartfelt “thank you” can reinforce their decision to give and inspire them to stay connected to your cause for the long haul. Donors who feel appreciated are not just more likely to give again—they’re more likely to give more.

Why a Thank You Matters

We all know that thanking donors is important, but here’s why it’s a game-changer:

  • The longer you wait to follow up after a donor’s first gift, the less likely they are to give again. Our research shows that first-time donors who renewed within a year had the quickest follow-up after their initial gift.
  • Organizations that prioritize gratitude have a greater likelihood of seeing higher lifetime value (LTV) from donors: Expressing appreciation encourages repeat giving and increases a donor’s total contributions over time. If you can retain a donor who gives smaller, consistent gifts over many years, their cumulative contributions may surpass the total impact of a major donor who gives infrequently. (source: Association of Fundraising Professionals)
  • Saying thank you builds trust, making donors more likely to deepen their commitment to your mission.

Giving Tuesday is just the first step. Grateful Wednesday ensures the connection doesn’t end when the clock strikes midnight.

How to Own Grateful Wednesday

Ready to make gratitude part of your Giving Tuesday strategy? Here’s your playbook:

  1. Block Time for Gratitude: Dedicate some time on Grateful Wednesday to reach out to your donors. Even setting aside 30 minutes can make a big impact.
  2. Make It Personal: Generic thank-yous? No thanks. Whether it’s a video message with ThankView, a thoughtful email, or a personalized piece of direct mail, make each thank-you feel like it was made just for them. Mention specific gifts or actions they took so they know their support didn’t go unnoticed.
  3. Show Them Their Impact: Donors love seeing the fruits of their generosity. Use this moment to share how their contributions will make a difference. Share impact stories, and don’t forget to tag your donors in social media shoutouts!

Get Ready with Our Free Grateful Wednesday Toolkit

To make your Grateful Wednesday campaign a success, we’ve got you covered with a free toolkit:

  • Thank-You Templates: Pre-written email and video scripts.
  • Video Messaging Tips: Best practices for crafting personal, impactful video thank-yous.
  • ChatGPT Prompts: Copy and paste these prompts to unlock the power of your new (free!) teammate
  • Success Checklist: Your step-by-step guide to running a seamless campaign.
➡️ ➡️ Download Your Grateful Wednesday Toolkit Now!

Make Grateful Wednesday Your New Tradition

Giving Tuesday might be the big day, but Grateful Wednesday is how you keep the good vibes going. It’s the perfect time to remind your donors that their generosity matters, not just to your organization, but to the impact they’re helping create.

When donors feel appreciated, they stick with you. And when they stick with you, their impact multiplies. So let’s make Grateful Wednesday a tradition—because when you say thank you, great things happen.

Ready to Jump In?

Don’t let the momentum of Giving Tuesday fade. Make gratitude a cornerstone of your year-end strategy. Download your free toolkit today and start building deeper relationships with your donors!

Powered by ThankView + EverTrue:

Grateful Wednesday is brought to you by ThankView and EverTrue, empowering nonprofits to build authentic, long-lasting relationships with their donors through personalized video messaging and smart engagement tools.

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