Stewardship guide

Giving Day acknowledgment and stewardship instructions

Our goal is to convey appreciation and tell giving stories without sending too many messages. All acknowledgments will be emailed, including presidential, dean, and director communications.

Giving Day gifts are coded with a Giving Day code so appropriate language may be added.
Language is added to presidential acknowledgments by Donor Relations. Colleges and units should add their own copy in addition to the language shared by Donor Relations.
See Giving Day senior leader 2024 gift acknowledgement language to use when crafting leadership stewardship messages.

GaveGab electronic receipt

One receipt is sent per transaction
Donor Relations took the lead on the message, which is detailed below and very similar to previous messages
One high-level signatory, Fred Van Sickle, who also signs the regular electronic receipts
From line is “Cornell University”

Coordinating other e-acknowledgments

A general thank you message will be sent on March 15.
Colleges and units should acknowledge Giving Day donors electronically no later than two weeks from the day final gift data is received.

Student written thank-you cards

Part of the university-led campus event will include a place for students to write a thank-you postcard to Giving Day donors in exchange for swag, food, etc.
Donor Relations coordinates this effort with guidance from the Giving Day team.
While we want to keep the main writing event central, if your college or unit plans to host an event to generate student-written thank-you cards, please let Julie Trimble (julie.trimble@cornell.edu) know so we don’t send two cards to the same donor.

GaveGab electronic receipt copy

Note: Rather than the university seal or a picture, we will use the Giving Day logo.

FROM: Cornell University
SUBJECT: Thank you for your gift to [DESIGNATION]

[NAME],

Thank you for your Giving Day gift!

Your generosity today creates many life-changing tomorrows, here at Cornell and across the globe. Thank you for choosing to make a difference today. Follow results or make a gift to another area at givingday@cornell.edu.

Please find your official receipt for tax purposes below and thank you again!

Best,
Fred Van Sickle
Vice President, Alumni Affairs and Development

Your donation receipt from
Cornell Giving Day
Donor: [NAME]
Date: [DATE]
College/Unit: [COLLEGE/UNIT]
Designation: [DESIGNATION]
Fund Number: [NUMBER]
Amount: [AMOUNT]

Total: [AMOUNT]

This receipt is the university’s official acknowledgment of your gift whereby we certify that no goods or services were provided. The Internal Revenue Service requires proof of gifts of $250 or more, other than a canceled check. Since gifts to Cornell University constitute a proper deduction under Income Tax laws, you should print or save this letter as a proof of your gift. The IRS recognizes Cornell University as a nonprofit organization. IRS Code: Section 501(c)(3) Tax Identification Number: 15-0532082.

If you are a Canadian donor, this receipt represents an official receipt for income tax purposes.

Please contact givingday@cornell.edu or call 800-279-3099 for questions concerning this official gift receipt.

Giving Day | Toolkit