How to write a donation letter

Do you have an organization that is looking for money? Have you had to ask for donations in the past and not known what to say? Read the tips below to find out how to write a great donation letter.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Decide if you are going to ask for monetary donations or donations of goods and services and target your letter around that.
2. Make a list of people you want to target. Are you going to ask for donations from businesses, people who have donated in the past, people you don't know, or friends and family?
3. Anticipate what your reader is going to ask and answer those questions in your letter. Make sure to include information about your organization, why you are fund raising, what your end goal is, etc.
4. Don't forget to tell them "what's in it for them?" Are you going to have banners or signage with their name on it? Will you be doing a booklet with all the donors listed? Will you put a public thank you in all the local newspapers with everyone listed?
5. Also make sure to give them a deadline and an easy way to respond. If you are asking for monetary donations offer different level of sponsorship such as bronze, silver and gold, then include a buckslip that they can just fill out and return with their check in the self addressed stamped envelope you have provided. If you are asking for donation of goods make sure there is someone close by who can pick up any donations.
6. Now that you have written your letter you have to do something to catch their eye. You can print it up on colorful paper or use a different style/color envelope, or you could hand deliver the letter. Remember these people get request all the time and you want to make sure that yours stands out.
7. Finally get them delivered and consider doing a follow-up call in a few days to make sure they received the letter and to see if they have any questions.