| When starting a fundraising campaign, whether you | | | | life". |
| are fundraising for a school, church or any other | | | | Make it clear how they should send the donation to |
| organization, an effective way to encourage people to | | | | you. Provide an address and a phone number. Make |
| donate is to provide incentives. Gaining support from | | | | sure to include who they should make cheques |
| local businesses and corporations through fundraising | | | | payable to. Are you willing to pick up items that are |
| letters is a good way to bring in incentives such as | | | | donated in person? Make it as easy as possible for |
| prizes or exclusive discounts. | | | | them to donate. |
| It is possible to pay professional copywriters to | | | | In order to stop the receiver throwing the letter in the |
| produce fundraising letters for you, however this is not | | | | to-do later pile, put a time restriction on the donation. |
| necessary. By writing and sending the fundraising | | | | Tell them when you are running your fundraising event. |
| letters yourself, you will save money and you will add | | | | Tell them your goals. How much money do you aim to |
| a personal tone to the letter, which will allow you to | | | | raise? When do you want to raise it by? |
| outline the benefits of your cause with passion. | | | | Increase the open rate and attention paid to your letter |
| What are the benefits for the community AND the | | | | It is likely that the person you are asking money from |
| sponsor? | | | | will receive other post a long with your fundraising |
| When writing a fundraising letter, it is important to | | | | letter. It is important to try and grab there attention |
| emphasize the benefits that would come of the target | | | | from the start. By using a rubber stamp and an ink |
| company donating to your cause. Outline what you are | | | | pad, stamp "IMPORTANT! Fundraising Discount Card |
| raising money for. Why do you need this money? How | | | | enclosed" in red ink on the front of your letter. This |
| will it benefit people in the community? | | | | should deter the recipient from throwing your letter |
| It is important not to forget that there are advantages | | | | straight in to the bin with promotional mail. |
| for the company too, and it is your job to remind the | | | | Make sure to use a P.S. In a single sentence reiterate |
| recipient of this through the fundraising letter. Tell them | | | | what you are asking for and why, and thank them for |
| how it will raise their profile in the community. Tell them | | | | reading your letter, and for any possible donation they |
| how donating will align the company with the good | | | | can give, on behalf of your organization. |
| cause for which you are raising money for. What will | | | | Make your letter easy to read |
| they receive for their sponsorship exactly? Where will | | | | Break down the fundraising letter in to easy to read |
| you put their logo? Who will see this and what does | | | | paragraphs. Separate different parts of the text with |
| that mean for them? | | | | headings. Make sure to use easy to understand, |
| What? How? When? | | | | positive language, but also appeal to the emotions of |
| It is important to be as clear and to the point in the | | | | the recipient. Make it clear from the start who you are |
| fundraising letter. Be clear as to what you are asking | | | | and what the aim of the letter is. |
| from the company. This may be items which you | | | | If you receive a donation... |
| would like to give out as prizes, exclusive discounts to | | | | Make sure to follow up donations with thank you |
| include on a fundraising discount cards, or money. If | | | | letters and invitations to fundraising events! Send them |
| you are asking for money, give a suggested donation | | | | a letter after the fundraising event to let them know |
| size, and what that amount of money would provide. | | | | how much you raised. Did you meet your target? |
| Give a tangible amount example if possible. An | | | | Keep in touch with them and let them know what |
| example of this can be found from charities such as | | | | good comes out of their donation. This will encourage |
| water aid: "$3 a month, over a year, is as little as it | | | | them to donate next time you are looking to raise |
| could cost to help give a person safe, clean water for | | | | funds! |