[cknepprath]

What do you use for a Title when you don't know the gender? fficeffice" />>>
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[Michael Sherman]

There is no title to use. Leave it blank. We use "Friend of the
Symphony" for the salutation.

Pat Smith
123 Main Street
Sarasota, FL 33662

Dear Friend of the Symphony:

[Anne Marie]

Ditto for what Michael said. The title can be added later if you find out what the gender is. We might use the first name in the salutation even if we do not know the gender say for Pat, Chris and so on.

[Nina Williams]

I do a white pages search to see what the listing is before I give up and use no title. Often you can get gender by this, Pat's spouse might be George, or Susan and this usually sets Pat's gender.

[stancliff]

How about "Dear [First Name]"?

[Michael Sherman]

That would work for some organizations and locations. We have a much
older constituent base and our policy is to address donors and prospects
formally. Some would consider it inappropriate to address a stranger by
first name. Unless the letter signer knows the addressee.

It all depends on your policy.

[stancliff]

Well, sure, you want to maintain formality. But, if you don't know the title, and you want to personalize the letter, that doesn't leave you with much of a choice.

That would make for an interesting A/B test. A sample of Dear Sir/Madam and Dear [First Name].

[Tcassi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nina Williams

I do a white pages search to see what the listing is before I give up and use no title. Often you can get gender by this, Pat's spouse might be George, or Susan and this usually sets Pat's gender.

Gosh, I don't know that I'd make those assumptions in this day & age...

[andrea.bbbs]

Sometimes when I have to face this I do a little research - I google them - see if any news articles mention them, I go to ZoomInfo. I have even phoned their home (at a time when hopefully they aren't there!) to listen to the voice on the answering machine. And if they answer, well, I verify the correct spelling of the name so that we can thank them for their generous gift.

And always, playing in the back of my mind, are those SNL skits called Androgynous (I really don't know how to spell that) Pat.....

[Melissa Siobhan]

I agree that sometimes (especially if your org insists on formal
salutations) you will have to call the donor. Disguising it as a thank
you call for their gift is usually the easiest. I've even had times
where even the voice was not helpful in determining gender (What fun
that is!).

I would never assume gender based on the name of a spouse - in this day
and age it is too dangerous to assume.


Melissa S. Graves
Director of Development Services
The Village for Families and Children

The mission of the Village for Families and Children is to build a
community of strong, healthy families who protect and nurture children.
"You cannot motivate people; they are already motivated, and your job is
to find out what motivates them and construct the right environment in
which their motivation will flourish." Kay Sprinkel Grace.

[kspitler]

Like Melissa and Andrea I often call to thank for the gift. I then ask how they would like their name recognized. Verifying the spelling and titles.