Boost Your Donor Appreciation Game: Creative Strategies from Calgary Zoo, Bentley University, and Cincinnati Children's

This episode is presented by Evertrue. Set yourself up for higher retention rates all year long by joining my free webinar with Evertrue on January 16th. RSVP at positiveequation.com/thanks.

Are you ready to make your donors feel like the rockstars they are?

This episode will show you how to ramp up your thank you game, making your donors feel valued, appreciated and most importantly, connected to your cause. We’ll be sharing creative thank you strategies from the Calgary Zoo, Bentley University, and Cincinnati Children's that have left lasting impressions on their donors.

Whether you're using personalized video messages or sending out thank you videos within hours of receiving a gift, these strategies will ensure your donors know just how much they mean to your organization.

We’ll also be diving into the power of video in forging an emotional connection with your donors - and trust us, it’s more potent than you think! Witness the magic of Cincinnati Children's holiday video that featured children opening presents - a perfect example of how you can help donors visualize the impact of their contributions.

You'll also hear my favorite tips on how to gather video content throughout the year and the importance of timeliness and preparation in thanking donors.

Resources & Links

Check out the featured Thank You Videos from the Calgary Zoo, Bentley University, and Cincinatti Children’s. You can also search “Tip Top Tuesday” on YouTube to find more examples from Thankview.

EverTrue Studios is like Netflix for fundraisers. Check out their catalog of on-demand documentaries and podcast episodes here.

After GivingTuesday winds down, how can you set yourself up for higher retention rates all year long? Join my free webinar with EverTrue on January 16th to learn how to creatively use video campaigns, email, and direct mail to reengage your supporters! RSVP and start the New Year with me at positiveequation.com/thanks.

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This show is brought to you by GivingTuesday! GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement that started in 2012 with a simple idea: a day to do good.

This year, on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, join the conversation: share your favorite nonprofit’s campaign, volunteer for a cause you care about, share an act of kindness, or encourage your audience to do the same.

Use #GivingTuesday, tag @GivingTuesday, and visit GivingTuesday.org/Participate to get involved and inspire others!

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