{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"157: Old Woman Shakes Fist at Sky | How Classy May Be Hurting Your Donor Relationships","description":"Nonprofit newsflash - your donation platform might be quietly annoying your biggest donors \ud83d\ude2c In this episode, Meghan and I dig into some nonprofit LinkedIn drama sparked by a  post from the one and only Eve Borenstein. Here\u2019s the situation: You gave a big donation, and you received an auto-generated donation receipt from the org\u2019s donation platform. The problem? &amp;nbsp;The gift acknowledgement letter and receipt are WRONG. &amp;nbsp; We break down why donor acknowledgement letters matter so much, what the IRS actually requires in those receipts for gifts over $250, and how automated systems can unintentionally damage donor trust. We also talk about the growing trend of for profit software companies promising to \u201chandle everything\u201d for nonprofits while missing critical compliance details. If you rely on online donation platforms, this conversation will likely make you rethink what you are outsourcing and what still needs human attention. What You'll Learn:  What SHOULD be in your donor acknowledgement letters How bad receipts can create donor frustration Where donation platforms and tech solutions for nonprofits can fall short How automation can quietly hurt your donor retention  Bottom line: Donor relationships are built on trust and gratitude. When your systems create friction instead of appreciation, even unintentionally, it can cost you future support and credibility. Resources from this Episode  Listen to our past episode with Eve Borenstein here: https:\/\/birkenlaw.com\/charity-therapy-podcast\/ct104\/ Read Eve Borenstein\u2019s LinkedIn post about Classy here:  https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/posts\/taxexemptlaw_so-annual-gripe-continues-last-week-activity-7412874086961541120-7bsN?utm_source=share&amp;amp;utm_medium=member_desktop&amp;amp;rcm=ACoAAAEjProBQJRvgNexcp-oDkRTlIoUrU5fW7Q Listen to our last episode with Ephraim about GoFundMe here:&amp;nbsp;https:\/\/birkenlaw.com\/charity-therapy-podcast\/ct150\/ Generate a good Gift Acknowledgement Letter here:  https:\/\/birkenlaw.com\/mg-document-app\/gift-acknowledgment-letter\/ Previous Episode: Can Nonprofits Give Tax-Free Money to People?:  https:\/\/birkenlaw.com\/charity-therapy-podcast\/156-nonprofit-give-money\/ Episode Transcript:  https:\/\/birkenlaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/CT157_Transcript.pdf&amp;nbsp;  Connect with Us  Jess Birken: https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/jessbirken\/ Meghan Heitkamp: https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/meghan-heitkamp-829254115\/  Listen &amp;amp; Engage  Listen on  Apple Podcasts |  Spotify |  YouTube |  Amazon Music Rate &amp;amp; Review on  Apple Podcasts: Click &quot;Ratings and Reviews&quot; then &quot;Write a Review&quot; Send us your nonprofit questions: https:\/\/birkenlaw.com\/podcast\/#podcast-story &amp;nbsp;  Stay Connected  Sign up for the Birken Law Email list: https:\/\/birkenlaw.com\/signup\/ &amp;nbsp; Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter  ","author_name":"Charity Therapy","author_url":"https:\/\/charitytherapy.show\/beon","html":"<iframe title=\"Libsyn Player\" style=\"border: none\" src=\"\/\/html5-player.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/39940645\/height\/90\/theme\/custom\/thumbnail\/yes\/direction\/forward\/render-playlist\/no\/custom-color\/88AA3C\/\" height=\"90\" width=\"600\" scrolling=\"no\"  allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen><\/iframe>","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/assets.libsyn.com\/secure\/content\/198062520"}