How to Write a Donation Letter for a Sports Team

A variety of different sports may need help fund raising.

While sports teams playing on the national level may have funding from wealthy owners and massive ticket sales, many other teams, from minor-league to high school, often find themselves short of money to keep the team going. Fund raising by sending out a donation letter for your sports team can help raise these necessary funds to benefit your team and community.

Instructions

1. Begin your donation letter for your sports team with a fact that presents the team in a positive light. If you have had seventeen winning seasons in a row, let the potential donor know that. Similarly, if your team is comprised of under-privileged children, or promotes certain values in your community, you can stress this as well. By opening with a strong statement, you will impress your donors and encourage them to read on.

2. Highlight the value the team has to the community. Many donors will want to contribute to causes that benefit them and their communities: pointing out the number of tourists your team has brought to the area, the number of participants from local schools, and other community-based benefits of your team will help them situate the team within their own local frame of reference.

3. Explain the financial straits the team has found itself in. Don't exaggerate, but let the potential donors know what your situation is (there is a deficit of x dollars due to reasons such as government cutbacks) and the possible outcome if enough funding is not found (such as the ultimate shutting down of the team).

4. End the letter with a polite request for donations. Enclosing a donation card and self-addressed envelope can encourage donations, as can the ability to take donations online through a website. If you can offer your donors perks and benefits, such as free tickets to game, be sure to mention that as well.

References

• USA Donations: How to Write Donation Letters