How to thank or recognize your board members or volunteers: Five inexpensive and thoughtful gift ideas
Updated July 2024
For all the time spent recruiting and managing board members or volunteers, equal time seems to be spent agonizing over how to thoughtfully acknowledge or recognize the service these loyal individuals give to our nonprofits. For some, a simple thank you note, or letter at the end of their term seems woefully inadequate. And okay, for some, a note will do! (joking, of course)
So how do you express appreciation for the service without spending dollars these very same board members or volunteers worked to help you raise? Better yet, how do you avoid the temptation of giving out yet another t-shirt, custom hoodie, coffee mug, or equally generic gift idea with your logo? I've compiled some great alternatives to help you sort through the junk online (there's a lot) and choose thoughtful and impactful gifts that show the sincere appreciation you want to express but also respect your budget and time.
Looking for school board appreciation ideas? I’ve added those new ideas below!
Gift ideas for board members: Here are five gift ideas for your next board member or volunteer recognition gift:
1 - A compilation of thank you notes and/or letters from staff, clients, and fellow volunteers
Perfect for an outgoing board member
This one takes a lot of work and planning, but recognizing an outgoing volunteer can be incredibly meaningful. Don't focus too much on the presentation - the heart of the message is what matters here. You can add everything to a simple box (from your local craft store or Homegoods) or compile the greetings into a folder or binder. Even better if you have a few photos to add to the mix!
Top this idea off with a personal note from the Board Chairman or Executive Director - it will leave a lasting impression!
2 - A sincere letter with a gift card to a local business
Customized pins are a great gift choice for outgoing board members or volunteers. Use an organization-wide design or customize them for your volunteer’s interests, passion, or hobbies. This is a small but meaningful way to show appreciation for the time they’ve spent helping you move your mission forward.
Perfect for a board chair
Don't lose sight of how far a simple, heartfelt letter can go. Take some time to reflect on how you met them and some meaningful interactions you've had together, and express your sincere gratitude for their service. The letter can stand alone, or you could add a gift card to a local small business!
While spendng a fortune on fancy paper or the gift card itself is unnecessary, you can enhance this one by using specialty paper or foil printing to make it stand out from a simple form letter.
Don't overlook the local business part of this one, either. Whether it's your favorite local restaurant, a local bakery, or a local gift shop, this idea tells your community you value them and allows your outgoing board member to patronize the business as well.
3 - A custom gift basket based on their hobbies, interest, or profession
Perfect for giving a unique gift
Sometimes, a customized and unique gift is appropriate for volunteers you know well and personally. For example, if you have a sports enthusiast, a signed ball or jersey from a favorite player would be perfect. A musician? Perhaps a Masterclass subscription from someone they admire. An aspiring writer? Find a quality journal and include a personal note inside. This option is not so much about how much you spend but rather a recognition that you have listened to and noticed their interests.
If you can tie in a local connection with a small business or another nonprofit organization, that's icing on the cake. For example, if you have a theatre lover in your group, purchase a few tickets to an upcoming show from your local actor's guild. Or, support a local food or kitchen shop to create a basket of foodie-type gifts that works for just about everyone.
What if you don't know the person all that well and aren't sure what they like or enjoy?
Gift baskets are great in this circumstance because they can help you combine a variety of thoughtful gift items in one package and typically contain enough variety that anyone will find at least one or two items they like. The Above and Beyond basket from Packed With Purpose is a great example. It has a variety of chocolates, salty snacks, coffee, and tea and covers all the bases! Plus, it's large enough to share.
And as a plus, Packed With Purpose is a phenomenal example of doing good work while saying thank you - you'll be supporting women and diverse-owned businesses, small farm cooperatives, fighting hunger and homelessness, providing employment opportunities for youth in the justice system, and chronically unemployed women, and much more.
4 - A memorable experience with a photo
Perfect for giving a personalized gift
For many, the personalized gift of a special lunch with their fellow volunteers or staff members may mean more than a physical gift. Rent a small room in a local restaurant, have a meal together, and let the experience stand for itself. During lunch or dinner, snap a group photo and then send it in a small frame with a note a few days later. This is a great opportunity to patronize your corporate sponsors, too! Do you receive annual support from a local restaurant? Designate them as your "restaurant of choice" for all of your celebratory events to show them how much you appreciate their ongoing support!
Bonus tip - pair the photo with this nice little Home Office Collection from Packed With Purpose for an extra special touch! I love Packed with Purpose because you can customize the box with your logo, too!
5 - A framed print recognizing the value of their service
II'll be honest - I've received all kinds of recognition gifts, and none are currently displayed in my home or office. It doesn't mean they weren't special - they just weren't unique in a way that made me feel like I wanted to have them on display all the time.
Recently, a client asked me to design a print for a board member whose term expired. She requested that it be something he might want to display in his office – something that recognized the value of service and that it was not cheesy! Ultimately, she loved the design, and we had the print professionally printed and framed. Not only will he think of the nonprofit when he sees it, he told her later that it looked great hanging in his office and hoped it would encourage others to ask him where it was from. Win-win!
I've included a photo of the print below, but you can use any type of photo/quote combination that your board member might like!
And, here's a bonus idea for you!
Bonus - Create an endowed fund at your local community foundation and make a gift to the fund each time a board member’s term ends
One of the stressful parts of the recognition experience is that you constantly have to develop new ideas. By creating an endowed fund at your local community foundation, you're accomplishing a few different things:
You're supporting another nonprofit - always a win!
You're deciding once that this is how you recognize loyal volunteers.
The money is going to your own nonprofit but made in honor of your volunteer so everyone benefits.
You're not spending your organization's budget on stuff - you're investing it.
Gifts for board members - where to buy them online
Example of a printed and framed board member thank you gift.
Looking for a little more help? These six companies do a great job at offering personalized gifts that make the recipients feel special and appreciated!
Packed with Purpose - Packed with Purpose is a Woman-Owned business on a mission to create meaningful social impact while strengthening human connections. Every purchase supports incredible impact in the nonprofit community so it’s a win-win. Plus, their gift selections are incredible and they offer gifts for all types of purposes — board recognition, prospect development, speaker gifts, conference swag, and more.
BOXFOX - Choose a pre-curated option or build your own gift box.
Caroo - Boxes start at just $25 and you can create your own personalized box or choose from those already crafted by curation experts.
Thoughtfully - I love their categories — choose from women-owned businesses, BIPOC-owned, sustainable, and more!
Prezzee - Giving gift cards in style! Co-branded gift cards — a really, easy and thoughtful way to send gift cards.
Greetabl - A genius way to create personalized gifts and send them to your people! Customize the box, and the gifts, include personal photos, and more!
Another bonus tip! Once you’ve found the perfect gift for your board member or volunteer, customize it with die-cut stickers or include a custom lapel pin from a company like GS-JJ. Adding your organization's name or logo enhances your gift and makes it feel extra special.
FAQS on gift ideas for board members
Should I present a board member gift at a board meeting or privately?
When to present a board member gift is entirely up to the organization and likely dependent on the recipient. Do they seem comfortable with attention and public recognition? If so, a short presentation of the gift after a board meeting is probably a great idea. However, if the person is shyer by nature or reserved, it might be better to ask the board chair to stop by and quietly recognize their efforts in a more low-key manner.
A donor has concerns about spending money on board member gifts. How should I handle the concern?
It's not uncommon for some donors to voice their opinions on how the organization spends money. However, the choice to recognize an outgoing board member or volunteer with a personalized gift is certainly not one that needs extra opinions :) As long as you're not shopping for a luxury corporate gift or spending an extraordinary amount of money, I recommend letting the donor know that you appreciate their concern and have budgeted for this type of expense in advance. This is also a great time to remind the donor of the service board members provide and that a conservative amount of overhead expense is part of the package with a robust fundraising organization.
Some board members want to spend more on gifts than we're comfortable with. How much should we spend on each board member?
Oh, the magic question – how much should we spend on gifts? I had an Executive Director tell me once that we should spend half the amount of the member's total board giving! Ha! I'm not recommending that approach. The first step here is to budget for board member gifts. If you find yourself in a situation where you haven't budgeted, evaluate your budget first and do the math. Was there an expense you'd planned to incur that didn't happen? Can those funds be reallocated?
Next, use your judgment. I find that most people spend between $75-$100 on a board member gift. That's not a rule, and it's definitely subjective to where you live, the length of the board member relationship/service period, and other factors.
Should every departing board member receive a gift?
In general, my answer is no - not every departing board member should receive a gift. I typically recommend that you have a standard procedure for outgoing board members, which may include a modest group lunch, a card signed by fellow board members and staff, and perhaps a personal note of appreciation from the Executive Director.
A larger gift is likely warranted for those who have served two or more terms (more than three years) and are in leadership positions. I love working with Packed with Purpose because they offer some really great gift ideas for all budgets and can be customized based on interest.
School Board Appreciation Ideas
Just like teachers, school board members also deserve recognition for their hard work and dedication to the education system. Here are a few ways to show your appreciation:
Write a Thank-You Note: A handwritten note is a personal and meaningful way to show your gratitude. Take the time to express how much you appreciate their service and the impact they've had on the school community. While it feels small, it can make a world of difference. To take it one step further, ask 10 additional people to write notes and deliver them as a bundle with flowers from a local floral shop or some specialty chocolates.
Attend a School Board Meeting: Show your support by attending a school board meeting and expressing your gratitude in person. Your presence will let them know that their hard work is appreciated and valued by the community.
Give a Public Shoutout: Use social media or write a letter to the local newspaper to give a public shoutout to the school board members for their service. This is a great way to raise awareness about their hard work and the positive impact they've had on the school community.
I hope these additional gift ideas and ways to show appreciation will help you recognize the important work of teachers and school board members in your community. Remember, a small gesture can go a long way in showing your gratitude and making their day! And, be sure to browse the links above because all of the gifts from Packed With Purpose will also make great school board gifts.
Final Thoughts On Gifts For Board Members
At the end of the day, regardless of which way you choose to recognize the service of others, it's about doing so in a sincere and timely way. Without volunteers, our nonprofits would simply cease to exist, so it's important to recognize their gifts of time in meaningful ways.
Do you have a gift idea to add to the list? Leave it below in the comments and tell us.
Andrea
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