Raise Money Without Having an Event
Fund-raising events can be costly without the guarantee for a generous return. If you are planning on going on a mission or volunteer trip with your church or a charitable organization, then consider sending potential donors a personal fund-raising letter instead of organizing a large donor event. Personal connections make all the difference when asking for and receiving money.
Instructions
1. Make a list of all of your potential donors by spending a few minutes writing down all of your close friends and family members. These are the people you would feel most comfortable sending a fund-raising support letter. On a second sheet of paper, write down a second tier of friends and family members. Do not rule out teachers and co-workers, but be careful about sending a letter to those with whom you work closely.
2. Write an informative, affirming letter. Your fund-raising letter must be full of information. You must tell your potential donor where you are going, why you are going and specifically what his or her donation will be used to do. The letter also needs to be encouraging. The potential donor must know that you cannot go on this trip without the support of loved ones. It also is good to let the donor know that he or she is beginning a unique journey with you. Where the donor cannot go, you can step in and go. Each of you is doing your part to help those who are less fortunate in the world.
3. Include a map of the place you are going or photos of the people you will serve, if possible. This puts a face on a trip. You are not traveling just to some faraway map dot. This is real place with real people who are really suffering. Give your potential donor a reason to respond.
4. Use the donor's name, and sign the letter. The body of the letter can be the same for every potential donor. However, personalize the greeting and salutation. For example, you might want to leave space at the top of the letter, where you can write "Dear Ann." You also might want to leave space at the bottom of the letter, where you can write "Sincerely, Julie." Also, it is a beneficial to write a personal message after your saluation that reminds the potential donor of how thankful you are for his or her friendship, counsel or leadership in your life over the years. Write what is true and sincere.
Tags: potential donor, your potential, family members, friends family, friends family members, fund-raising letter, Having Event