Q: We are working on our Annual Report and are trying to decide how to recognize our Multiple-Year Giving Society Donors in the first year of their pledges and in subsequent years. Also, what do you do with recognizing donors who increase their pledges in subsequent years?

Joan in Illinois

A: Your Multiple-Year Giving Society^™ should be made up of three levels—that is, members of this group can give at one of three Units of Service^™ for the next five years. Each giving level then has a name—sponsor a child, build a house, fund a camp, whatever it may be for your organization. Your annual report should then recognize each donor at their giving level, with the name of that level as the category. List the Multiple-Year Giving Society Donors first, and all other annual donors underneath. Next year, list them under the then-current category—if they increased their pledge to the next giving level, put them there.

Terry