Quick Tips For Writing a Fundraising Appeal Letter

Sending an appeal letter to raise money for yourother volunteers, or your facility. This is about the
cause?results you're getting and how their support will
The way you write your letter will have everythingproduce even more good results.
to do with the results you get. Tailor your letter toHere are 3 components that should go into every
fit the recipient.appeal letter.
If you're writing to people who know you well, you'llI'm using animal rescue as an example, but you can
need to explain less. But if you're writing to folks whoeasily change this to fit your particular cause.
know little or nothing about your work, you'll need to
outline the problem - along with the things you're1. Say thank you first. Even if you're writing to people
doing to solve it.who haven't given in a while. Tell them their support
Amateur fund raisers often fall into the trap ofover the past year has helped provide food, shelter,
thinking they need to write a short letter so theyand veterinary care for X number of critters.
don't bore anyone. Well, the truth is, if your recipient2. Give them success stories - especially a good
is interested in your cause they'll want to know more.story about a specific animal that came to you in bad
If they aren't interested, even one paragraph will beshape and who is now healthy, happy, and living in a
too much because they won't read any of it.home with people who love him. If you know the
So don't let someone in your group convince youcircumstances before the rescue, give them. For
that your appeal must be only one page. If you doinstance, the dog was left tied behind a house and
that, you might as well not bother to send it at all.abandoned when the humans moved - or the dog
Even people who have supported you before wantwas rescued from a puppy mill or a dog fighting
to know what you've been doing with their moneyoperation.
and what you plan to do with the money you're3. Remember to ask! Don't go getting timid at the
asking them to send today.end and failing to ask them to send the donation.
As you begin to write, keep one idea foremost inYou might be amazed at how many small non-profits
your mind: You want the person reading your letterdo just that. They write a good letter and outline the
to know that they will feel good when they put thatbenefits of their work, and then assume that the
check in the mail to you.reader will know the next step is for them to send
Giving them that feeling is the key to getting themoney. But it doesn't work that way. You have to
donation.ask.
Make it easy to read"Writing for money" takes time and preparation, but
Next, even though you might want to save paperis well worth the effort.
and printing costs, break your letter up for easyWhen those first donations come rolling in as a
reading. Big blocks of copy repel readers. The rule ofresponse to your letter, you will feel like jumping for
thumb for copywriters is not over 7 lines to ajoy. But only take a minute to do that, because you
paragraph, but I personally prefer not to go over 5have two more vital steps to take.immediately and
or 6.write a thank you note. Let each person know that
Be sure to leave a blank space between paragraphs.their donation arrived and that you appreciate it
Use sub-heads to draw the reader's eye down theimmensely.
page and deeper into your message. If two pages2. Record the person's name, address, phone number,
thus become four - that's OK. Four pages that getand e-mail address in your database, along with the
read will out pull 2 pages in the trash any day of thedate and amount of their donation.
week!OK, now you can celebrate...
Always remember that this is not about you, the