| Looking for tips on writing a better fundraising letter? | | | | Dear Name of sponsor, |
| Use these quick tipsto craft your next donation | | | | On date of event, I will join hundreds of others to |
| request letter. Feel free to modify the sampleletter | | | | help end thedevastating effects of multiple sclerosis |
| below to fit your specific needs. | | | | by riding/walking/skatingin the MS event name. By |
| Good news - Always start the letter with a series of | | | | making a pledge on my behalf, you aresupporting |
| good newsbullets to build momentum and make | | | | research and local services to those affected with |
| entire letter entertaining and informative. | | | | this unpredictabledisease. |
| - Use foreshadowing to tease your reader and keep | | | | Give details - Tell your story: I have a personal stake |
| him or her reading. | | | | in thisparticular event. My dadhas MS. Not only do I |
| - Create a "widow" at the end of the first page (a | | | | want to helphim, but also the many others diagnosed |
| thought that's finished on page two) | | | | with MS. MS is a diseasethat affects the central |
| - Make your reader turn the page. | | | | nervous system. Some symptoms of MS may include |
| Describe what you want to do next | | | | loss ofbalance, impaired vision and hearing, fatigue, |
| - Tell what you're going to do. | | | | muscle weakness and, in some,paralysis. Even simple |
| - Why you're going to do it. | | | | everyday living skills become increasingly difficult. |
| - How you're going to do it. | | | | Everyone is affected differently by these symptoms. |
| - What results you expect. | | | | My goal is to raise at least specify dollar amount this |
| List suggested contribution amounts | | | | year,which represents $1 for every person with MS |
| - Use even numbers in graduated amounts | | | | registered with our local MS |
| - Offer a monthly auto charge credit card option ($10 | | | | Chapter. Please help me reach that goal with your |
| a month is $120 a year) | | | | pledge. Your donation is taxdeductible. If you wish, |
| - Include a blank line for write-in amounts | | | | you may mail all or part of your payment amount |
| Remind readers that their contribution is your budget | | | | todayin the self-addressed stamped envelope |
| - Your successes have been possible because of | | | | enclosed with this letter. |
| their past contributions | | | | Otherwise, I will collect your pledge after the event. |
| - Thank them! | | | | Please make your checkpayable to the National MS |
| Use P.S.'s for skimmers | | | | Society. My deadline to get my pledges in isdeadline |
| - May titillate skimmers and get them to read the | | | | date. Following the event, I will send out a brief recap |
| entire letter. | | | | ofthe MS event name to all my sponsors. |
| - To create a sense of urgency. | | | | Thank you in advance for your support. Please call |
| Sample Donation Request Letter | | | | me if you have any questionsor comments about the |
| Date | | | | MS event name. I can be reached atphone number. |