2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV) says, "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

There are two ways to look at that passage. One way is to say it is people's duty to give. Since the Bible commands it, people ought to do it whether I thank them or not. The second is to see that "God loves a cheerful giver," and ask yourself, how can I help the people who give to our church be more cheerful in their giving?

Here are three creative ways to thank your donors that will help increase the "cheerful" in your givers.

1. Show Appreciation in Your Donor Receipts

A donor receipt is something your givers look forward to seeing because it confirms that their digital donation went through. The IRS requires it, but it should not just give them an accurate receipt and confirmation. Why not take advantage of this point of contact by showing appreciation as well? Include a heartfelt thank you in the message to your givers with their receipt. Let them know they are making a difference and ensure that they are feeling appreciated.

Most digital giving platforms let you customize this message. Make sure your donor receipts are excellent, consistent with your church brand, and inspire people to keep giving to your church.

2. Celebrate Their Birthday

Keep track of givers' birthdays and celebrate their big day! To do this, you need to set up an automated email campaign that goes out to your givers on the month of their birthday. You can also create a generic video that you include in the email.

Do you want to really impress your givers? Reach out to them directly with a personal message to tell them how much you appreciate them.

3. End of the Year Acknowledgment

Thanking your donors at the end of the year is important because 31% of giving happens in December. The end of the calendar year is not only when the highest percentage of donations come in, but it is also an excellent opportunity to engage with your top givers to show appreciation.

Intentionally connecting with givers at the end of the year honors them for their donations throughout the year. It adds "cheer" to them by helping them feel like a partner instead of just another transaction. It also motivates them to be part of your end-of-the-year giving campaign.

How do you acknowledge your donors at the end of the year? Here are a few ideas:

1. Thank them from the stage on Sunday morning with a general statement about how your givers are making a difference.
2. Send them a letter thanking them for giving along with some statistics from what your church has accomplished that year because of their giving.
3. Play a video in your church service showing stories of lives changed and connect it to the end of the year giving campaign.
4. Send an email thanking your givers for their donations throughout the year. Let them know that what your church does would not be possible without them.
5. Take time to write a personal note to as many givers as you can to show your appreciation for their continued support.

Thanking your donors does not have to be lengthy or intrusive. A few personal touches can go a long way.

Want to go deeper on year-end generosity? Download the free Year-End Giving Playbook at buildthe.church.