One quick tip I often share with my clients is the importance of having a time stamp for your project delivery. It puzzles me that so many charities and nonprofit organizations overlook this crucial piece, especially when it comes to retaining the trust of donors.
Here’s the key: You never want your donors to start questioning when something was delivered. Even if you’ve stated the project was completed on a certain date, remember—seeing is believing. It's not just about telling donors when something happened but showing them. When they can see clear time-stamped updates, it strengthens their trust in your work.
Throughout my career, I’ve come across multiple situations where charities reused old images, trying to make them fit a current project. The impact can be damaging. If a donor senses something is off, they typically don’t raise questions—they quietly disengage. And once a donor’s trust is lost, it’s almost impossible to restore.
When someone donates to your organization, it's because they trust you. As guardians of that trust, it’s essential to do everything within your power to maintain it. One of the easiest ways to start is by applying time stamps to your project deliveries and providing proper, timely updates to your donors. After all, it’s much easier to retain a donor than to try and win their trust back once it’s broken.
Here’s the list of why the time stamp Matters!
Proof of Progress – Time stamps offer concrete evidence that projects are progressing, giving donors peace of mind that their contributions are making an impact.
Transparency – A time-stamped update is a sign of honesty, showing that you’re willing to openly share every step of your work.
Accountability – They hold the organization accountable to timelines, assuring donors that the charity is on track and committed to its promises.
Authenticity – Time stamps verify that project updates and images are current and real, minimizing doubts about reused content.
Building a Story of Impact – Time stamps allow donors to follow the entire journey of their contributions, from donation to project completion, building a narrative of progress and achievement.
Clarity on Delivery – They remove any confusion around when specific actions were completed, making donors feel confident in your efficiency.
Professionalism – Consistent time stamping shows donors that your organization is well-structured and detail-oriented.
Donor Engagement – Time-stamped updates keep donors connected and informed, creating a sense of involvement and investment in the cause.
Reduced Risk of Fraud – They reassure donors that their money is being used appropriately, reducing concerns about potential misuse of funds.
Restoring Trust – If delays occur, time stamps offer transparency, showing donors exactly when the delay happened and that the organization is addressing it.
Easy Auditing – Time-stamped records make it easier for organizations to audit their processes and demonstrate the responsible use of funds to donors.
When your charity implements time stamps effectively, it doesn’t just build transparency—it strengthens the entire relationship with your donors. After all, trust is the foundation of every donor relationship, and every step you take to uphold that trust counts.
And as we are reminded in the Qur’an:
"Verily! Allah commands that you should render back the trusts to those, to whom they are due...."
— An-Nisa (4:58)
This applies not just to physical assets but to the trust and responsibility given to you by your donors. Time stamps might seem like a small detail, but in reality, they’re a powerful tool in upholding that trust. Keep your donors informed, keep them engaged, and most importantly—keep their trust intact.
Thank you for taking the time to read. Let’s keep striving to be the change we want to see in the charitable field, starting by upholding the trust placed in your organization. InshaAllah, with sincerity, you can make a lasting difference. Until next time, JazakAllah Khair!
Rahimah Kashim
Practicing leader At Oktriz