Donation Letters
How to write a donation request
Donation letters can be powerful tools for charities or organizations wishing to raise money. They allow the charity or organization to introduce itself, state its beliefs and to reach out to people that it could not otherwise reach. The donation letter allows an organization or charity to present everything about itself in a non-threatening manner. While many people are too busy to listen to a donation pitch in public or grow impatient with telephone calls requesting donations, they are usually willing to read a donation letter in the privacy of their own homes. A well-written donation letter can often raise more funds than any other means of communication.
Steps
Here are five important things to consider when writing donation letters:
- Include a return envelope. Potential donors are more likely to give if they don't have to scrounge for an envelope and a stamp.
- Get to the point. Let readers of the donation letter know what your organization is about and what it needs at the very beginning of the letter.
- Use correct grammar and spelling. No one is going to take your charity or organization seriously if the donation letter contains misspellings and incorrect grammar usage.
- Include a thank-you. If you are approaching past donors, then a letter which thanks them for their previous donation is vital. Letters going towards potential new donors should thank the readers for taking the time to read the letter.
- Let potential donors know what you will be using their donation for. Tell people where their money will be going and how it will be used. Include any overhead charges or salaries that will be paid in addition to the charitable use.
Available Resources
If you have never written a donation letter before, there are several usable resources:
- Ask a friend who has worked for a charity for advice.
- Research fundraising sites on the Internet. Many sites offer free templates for donation letters.
- Think about a donation letter that would appeal to you. What would you want to know about a charity in order to donate your money to them?