David and Colina

There are "annual reports"... I'm sure you are picturing your 12, 16, 20, 24 page, 8.5" x 11" report filled with copy about your amazing programs and tiny stock shots and photographs of people holding cheques. On the upside, the comms department was thrilled that you adhered to their excessive graphic standards and requests to use their modern, contemporary san serif font in a barely legible size. Your donor waits with baited breath - I have no doubt.

And then there are "gratitude reports". Now I hope you are imagining something that tells a story to your donor. It might be a story they've heard before or one that is completely new. Regardless, it reminds the donor that they are a critical part of the success of your mission. It surprises them in the way it is told and draws them in.

And today, I'd like you to read about David and Colina. This is the gratitude report for Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia. From the start, we knew we wanted this to feel like a part of a person’s life. A sticky, tactile, vibrant, curated photo album. Something created JUST for the donor holding it in their hands. The best examples of #donorlove ALWAYS look like they were created with someone’s hands and heart.

I hope you will read it. As a fundraiser, as a donor, as a human - and feel the power of one story told in a relevant and appropriate way to the donors of the Alzheimer Society.

You can also download a pdf of this report here.