·
Good
news. Always start the letter with a series of good news
·
Use
bullets to build momentum and make entire letter entertaining and
informative
·
Use foreshadowing
to tease your reader and keep him or her reading.
·
Create
a widow at the end of the first page (a thought that's finished on page two)
·
Make
your reader turn the page
·
Describe
what you want to do next
·
Tell
what you're going to do.
·
Why
you're going to do it.
·
How
you're going to do it.
·
What
results you expect.
List suggested
contribution amounts
·
Use
even numbers in graduated amounts
·
Offer a
monthly auto charge credit card option ($10 a month is $120 a year)
·
Include
a blank line for write-in amounts
·
Remind
readers that their contribution is your budget. Your successes have been
possible because of their past contributions
·
Thank
them.
Use P.S.'s for
skimmers
·
May
titillate skimmers and get them to read the entire letter.
·
To
create a sense of urgency.
Sample Donation
Request Letter
”Date
Dear Name of
sponsor,
On (date of event),
I will join hundreds of others to help end the devastating effects of multiple
sclerosis by (riding/walking/skating) in the MS (event name). By making a
pledge on my behalf, you are supporting research and local services to those
affected with this unpredictable disease.
Give details - Tell
your story: I have a personal stake in this particular event. My (dad, aunt,
sister) has MS. Not only do I want to help him/her, but also the many others
diagnosed with MS. MS is a disease that affects the central nervous system.
Some symptoms of MS may include loss of balance, impaired vision and hearing,
fatigue, muscle weakness and, in some, paralysis. Even simple everyday living
skills become increasingly difficult.
Everyone is
affected differently by these symptoms.
My goal is to raise
at least (specify dollar amount) this year, which represents $1 for every
person with MS registered with our local MS Chapter. Please help me reach that
goal with your pledge. Your donation is tax deductible. If you wish, you may
mail all or part of your payment amount today in the self-addressed stamped
envelope enclosed with this letter.
Otherwise, I will
collect your pledge after the event. Please make your check payable to the
National MS Society. My deadline to get my pledges in is (deadline date). Following the event, I will send out a brief
recap of the MS (event name) to all my sponsors.
Thank you in advance
for your support. Please call me if you have any questions or comments about
the MS (event name). I can be reached at
(phone number).
Sincerely,
Your name”
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