GUIDELINES
- When asking for a direct monetary donation, keep in mind the perks that the reader and the community can get by giving to your cause. Write the letter attractive, and be clear that you are specifically asking for financial donations.
- Start the letter with a fascinating story, anecdote, statistic, question, hypothetical situation, present him or her of a compliment (a gift for donating) or others.
- Give details about your organization or cause.
- Particularly explain where the money raised will be used.
- If you have a target money that you are trying to raised, include that amount.
- Request for a specific money amount (or range of amounts).
- Provide a deadline on which the money must be sent or received. Make the reader get the sense of urgency of the matter.
- Explain the benefits (concrete or not) that the donor will get by donating money to your organization.
- Illustrate how the reader can make the contribution via phone, mail, online, or others. If you are expecting to get donations by mail, include on your fundraising letter a self-addressed and stamped envelope.
SAMPLE LETTER
[Address line]
[State, ZIP Code]
[Letter Date]
[Address line]
[State, ZIP Code]
[Subject: Normally bold, summarizes the intention of the letter] -Optional-
Dear [Recipients Name],
Imagine yourself walking or riding a bicycle from Royale Lake to Greenbay Park every day if you want. Our Blue Royale riverside trail is just about to become a reality. Negotiations on the right of way are done, and construction can start as soon as the amount of $1,800,000.00 is raised. As agreed by the city council, an appropriate sum of money has been set aside for the trail's maintenance in the condition that tax dollars will not be used for its construction.
Our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren will see this as an incredible legacy. Children and adult alike will enjoy this scenic, and peaceful piece of nature running through our city.
We hope that you can donate enough for a paving stone. Asphalt will be used on most parts of the trail, however, engraved paving stones will be used for the portion near Greenbay Park. With just a mere $150, we will engrave your name on a paving stone as an appreciation of your generosity. Some families even decided to give enough to have a paving stone for each of their family members.
We understand if you cannot donate enough for a paving stone right now. But every contribution, regardless of the amount, will be highly appreciated. It is our great chance to help start the construction of the Blue Royale riverside trail.
Sincerely,
[Senders Name]
[Senders Title] -Optional-
[Enclosures: number] - Optional -
cc: [Name of copy recipient] - Optional -
Letter to request financial donations for a construction.
Further things to consider when writing request letters to donors
Request Letters
Request letters are letters written to ask formally or politely for something. Any matter that requires a humble and polite appeal can be put forward using a request letter. It could be a job interview, a promotion, or a favor; a request letter will get the job done. A request letter can be formal or informal depending on the recipient. If you are requesting a friend to do a task for you, for instance, you can choose to go informal. But if you are requesting your manager for a promotion, the letter has to be formal. Either way, a request letter must be sent early enough to give the recipient ample time to process and respond to the request.
When writing request letters, you need to be brief and direct, avoiding any auxiliary information that might weaken the message you are conveying. State exactly and clearly what you are requesting for giving reasons for it. If you are requesting for a raise, for example, explain in details why you think you deserve one. Maintain a polite tone throughout the letter. Close the letter by thanking the recipient in advance and expressing your anticipation for his/her consideration.
Letters to Donors
Letters to donors are letters written to people who have donated something, especially money, voluntarily to a fund or charity. Usually, these are fundraising letters to invite donors to fundraisers or thank-you letters to express gratitude and appreciation for donations. Whatever the reason for your letter, writing to donors maintains a great relationship and can help you secure future funding. This simple gesture shows them that you can be trusted and that you are doing something that is of benefit to the community. It also shows the donors that your cause is worthy of their money and time.
When writing letters to donors, it is important to know the exact message you want to convey. Most letters to donors can be tricky to write, especially those asking for donations. You don't want to write something that the recipient will give a cursory glance and carry to the trash! Grab the recipient's attention from the start. For fundraising letters, clearly state how the donation will be used. If you are writing to thank the recipient for a donation, let him/her know how the donation helped. Be brief and straightforward. End the letter on a positive tone.
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