You have limited time to make those most important to you feel extra special on this big day. No, we’re not talking about your spouse, your crush, or your grandmother.
We’re talking about those even MORE special to you – Your donors!

As Valentine’s Day approaches, love is in the air. For nonprofits, this holiday presents a unique opportunity to celebrate and cultivate a different kind of love: the love between organizations and their donors. While chocolates and roses might not be the ideal tokens of appreciation, there are plenty of heartfelt strategies nonprofits can employ to make their donors feel cherished and valued.

In this blog post, we’ll explore creative ways for nonprofits to turn their donors into Valentines, fostering deeper connections and inspiring continued support. From personalized gratitude to meaningful engagement opportunities, let’s delve into strategies that go beyond the traditional box of chocolates, making donors feel loved and appreciated all year round.

And don’t worry – We know you’re busy with grant deliverables, programs to run, and funds to raise – So we’re going to make it REALLY easy for you.

Before we get started, snag our “Make Your Donors Your Valentines” Canva templates:

Now, let’s use those templates! Here are three ways to make your donors your valentines this Valentine’s Day:

1. Composite Video Message From Your Staff

Collect short 5-10 second video messages from your staff members and create a composite video. Make collecting content simple by crafting a MemoryFox campaign, or ask create a folder in your shared drive where your colleagues can drop their recordings.

Inevitably, a few staff members will resist your request. They’ll say “But I don’t even know what to say!” That’s why we recommend you provide a few suggested messages to accompany the usual “Happy Valentines Day”. Here are a few fun suggestions:

• Today, YOU are our Valentines. We are so lucky to know you!
• Wishing you a sweet, happy day. 
• Thank you for believing in our mission. 
• Your support means the world to us.
• I hope you have a great day full of love and sweet treats!

FOX TIP: Did you know you can make one seamless video with several clips directly in Canva? Just open your design and “duplicate” the page for as many clips as you have. Then, drop 1 video on each page. To ensure all the videos are in the same spot on each page, consider adding a frame to your design prior to duplication (Find frames by clicking the “Elements” tab, and type “Frame” in the search bar. Pictured below) . When you hit “play” in the top right corner, you will see that Canva creates 1 cohesive video for you! 

If you use our premade Canva templates, frames have been inserted into each design. Just delete the other template pages before you start duplicating to make your video.

2. Heartfelt Video Message From Your Leadership

No time to collect videos from everyone on staff? No problem. Instead, film one strong message from a member of your leadership. Whether it’s your Executive Director or the Chair of the Board, one 25 – 45 second message can really warm the hearts of your donors.

This message should be well thought-out. Consider writing a short script and doing several takes to ensure the full message is conveyed. Here are a few of our message suggestions:

• Happy Valentine’s Day! Here at {Your Organization}, I am so grateful for your trust in our organization and your passion for our mission. Today, YOU are our Valentines. Thank you for believing in our team.
• This Valentine’s Day, I would like to share how meaningful your ongoing support is to us. With your help, our team will continue to {Insert Your Mission}. I hope you have a great day full of love and sweet treats!
• Today, YOU are our Valentines. We are so grateful to have your love and support for our mission. I wish you and all your loved ones a wonderful Valentine’s Day spent together. Hoping it’s full of chocolates, flowers, and lots of love!

3. Take a Festive Group Photo. 

What’s even easier than filming a video? Taking a photo! To execute this, ask your staff to wear Valentine-themed clothing full of reds, pinks, and hearts. 

Fox Tip: Send a calendar invite for the exact time of the day you’d like to take the photo, so no one will forget. Take a couple of photos, just in case someone blinks!

No matter which option you choose, just drag and drop your photo into one of our “Make Your Donors Your Valentines” Canva templates.

Snag our “Make Your Donors Your Valentines” Canva templates:

Not sure if Valentine’s Day is your thing? That’s fine! We recommend you check out 2024 Nonprofit Holidays Your Don’t Want To Miss and Mission-Focused Nonprofit Holidays to find some notable days that are more your style!