Fundraising Ideas - How to Raise Twice the Money With Half the Sweat

How to Write a Fundraising Letter.

Wed, 22 Jun 2005 04:45:56 -0500

How to Write a Fundraising Letter

(c) 2002 By Linda Elizabeth Alexander

The key to a successful fundraising campaign is writing a good letter. This may sound intimidating at first, but fundraising letters contain many of the same elements as any good sales letter.

First, know your donors: Beginning with an updated list of past donors is key -- they will likely give again and may even increase their donations over time. Make sure to have a good, well-targeted, updated mailing list for new prospects as well.

In order to get people to read your letter, they must first open the envelope. Include teaser copy on the outside of the envelope. This can be as simple as a printed line saying, "We need your help."
Early in the letter, make your case -- quickly. Don't beat around the bush. Tell about your organization or project at the top of the letter and get to the point right away. What problem will this project solve?
What need will it fill?

Appeal to your donors' hearts first with descriptions and anecdotes, then their heads with facts and figures.

If you are writing to previous donors, be sure to thank them first before you ask for more money. "Thanks for being such an important influence on our program in the past. Last year's fundraiser was such a success, we're inviting you to help again ..."

Also, lose the hype. Don't exaggerate or over-extend yourself. Nothing will destroy your credibility faster than sounding like a used-car salesperson when raising funds for a good cause.

As with other sales letters, longer copy pulls better in fundraising letters. I know, I know, "Nobody reads long letters." While most people won't read every word, the more you can tell the reader about the benefits of giving, the better response you will receive.

Another reason for long copy is with a good fundraising letter, you should be able to start reading at any point in the letter and still know what it is about.

It's much harder with a one or two page letter to state your case in a number of different ways than it is with a four page letter. With a longer letter, you have much more room to convince the reader to give.

Don't forget to ask for the money! Don't just tell them about your program, ask directly for their help. Also, tell them how much to give so they have an idea of what is needed. "Our education program needs 25 computers, at $2,000 each. If you can't afford a whole computer, a donation of only $200 will buy a printer."

You will get donations of at least $200.

Appeal to readers' sense of urgency by providing a deadline. "We need these funds by January 1 in order to carry out our spring awards event." If you don't get them to act right away, they probably won't act at all.

For the maximum reply, include a return envelope. Make it easy for people to donate by telling them how! "Just check the box on the reply card and mail it with your check in the enclosed, postage paid reply envelope." It may sound silly to you, but people respond to clear instructions.

Remember to include a PS at the bottom. The bulk of your letter will go unread by most of your readers. A post script is a last-chance effort to summarize your whole letter and get your readers to act on it.

As with any direct mail piece, it's good to make follow up phone calls one or two weeks after you mail the letter. Ask if the letter was received and if you can answer any questions. Of course, you won't always reach the right person, but if you follow up you greatly increase your chances of getting a donation.

Writing successful fundraising letters isn't rocket science. These tips are based on years of trial and error; if you follow them wisely your campaign will be successful. Plan early, be organized, and the letter writing will take care of itself!

=====================================================
Linda Elizabeth Alexander writes marketing copy for nonprofits. When a deadline looms and you're overworked and understaffed, contact her to come to your rescue.
http://www.write2thepointcom.com
mailto:lalexander@write2thepointcom.com
=====================================================

About the Author
Linda Elizabeth Alexander writes marketing copy for nonprofits. When a deadline booms and understaffed, contact her to come to your rescue.
http://www.write2thepointcom.com
mailto:lalexander@write2thepointcom.com
=====================================================

Fundraising Idea - $50 Smackers for every one you give away FREE.

Tue, 21 Jun 2005 18:54:50 -0500

While I still like traditional fundraisers...after your organization does one of these fundraiser...it will be difficult to go back...
I've laid it all out for you at http://www.myultimatefundraiser.com

Fundraising Publicity Tips

Sat, 18 Jun 2005 07:13:00 -0500

by Kimberly Reynolds

The success of your fundraiser depends on how much publicity your
group can attract.

Community awareness of your fundraising need and your fundraising
offering will always increase your results.

Here are some fundraising publicity tips:

Fundraising Publicity Tip #1 - Use your website
If you don't have one, get one. Use it to communicate your goals,
thank your sponsors, highlight periodic offerings, recognize
successes, honor individual contributors, etc.

Promote your web site on all your materials.

Fundraising Publicity Tip #2 - Actively seek more publicity
Get the word out about your fundraiser in as many ways as
possible. Get into as many neighborhood newsletters and other
public forms of communication as you can.

Send out press releases to the local media and invite coverage
with photo opps at your fun events.

Fundraising Publicity Tip #3 - Utilize any gathering
Make announcements at other events to spread the word, display
products, take orders, make sales, and recruit volunteers.

Take a joint venture approach to marketing your group by giving
something of value back to all those who join your team.

Fundraising Publicity Tip #4 - Goal awareness
Heavily promote the goal of your fundraiser in all communications,
particularly between sellers and buyers. A good cause gets the
money out.

Make sure that all participants know the specific reason why the
money is being raised.

Fundraising Publicity Tip #5 - Communication
Use all available means of increasing awareness of your group's
efforts including roadside signs, e-mail lists, phone calling
tree, newsletter, flyers, posters, bulletin boards, recorded
hotline messages, etc.

Fundraising Publicity Tip #6 - Sponsorship decals
Offer these free to supporting merchants. Sell to membership
level supporters. Use the glass stick-on type for storefronts
or vehicle windows.

This "branding" gets the word out to the community that your
organization has a strong support base.

Fundraising Publicity Tip #7 - Bumper stickers
Sell your organization year round with every fundraiser by
offering one that says "Proud Supporter of _____." Give one
to every volunteer and group member.

Fundraising Publicity Tip #8 - Flyers everywhere
Hit local mailboxes (follow postal regulations) and car
windshields in shopping centers. Give fundraiser details in
your flyer in a way that promotes sales and gives contact
information.

Put a coupon or free gift offer into the flyer that will keep it from
being thrown away. Your merchant base will help provide the
offers because this is free advertising for them.

For example, a flyer including a car wash, dry cleaners, or oil
change coupon. (Or even all three!)

Fundraising Publicity Tip #9 - Build an e-mail list
Ask for an e-mail address for a newsletter distribution when
you're fundraising. Have opt-in links on your web site.

Build an online community of supporters by offering them extras
available only at your site.

Put your fundraising publicity plan in place today. You'll reap the
benefits in continued growth and additional fundraising success
for years to come.

A Step By Step Guide to Fundraising Letters

Mon, 13 Jun 2005 21:28:43 -0500

If you are struggling with a fundraising letter this may be of some help...

Lucrative Daycare Fund Raising Idea

Sun, 12 Jun 2005 10:39:25 -0500

"3 Steps to earning huge checks from a company everybody knows...but only a few take advantage of"

Tips on your next car wash fundraiser

Sun, 12 Jun 2005 10:39:25 -0500

Don't do a car wash fundraiser without reading this first.

Promoting your Fundraiser

Sun, 12 Jun 2005 10:37:08 -0500

Here's an article on the basics of promoting your fundraiser.

Fundraising Ideas- How would you like to partner with the bohemoth Amazon.com? Blockbuster? Disney? or even the giant Wal-mart? Your organization would receive a commission or fee for every paying customer you send their way. No products to deliver, cakes to bake or cars to wash.

Wed, 8 Jun 2005 22:58:29 -0500

Here's a free article on how your organization can partner up with well respected businesses...and turn these partnerships into very lucrative fundraisers.

How to Run a Successful Car Wash Fundraiser - Free Book Available Online

Wed, 8 Jun 2005 22:58:29 -0500

Tried and true is always good too...Here's an article on Car Wash Funraiser and a link to a free book.

Fundraising Ideas - If your troops can pass out a flyer...

Wed, 8 Jun 2005 22:58:29 -0500

This makes a great stand-alone fund raiser or a lucrative add-on to any fundraiser.

Fundraising Ideas - How To Raise Twice The Money With Half The Sweat

Wed, 8 Jun 2005 22:58:29 -0500

If your members, parents or donors wear clothes, watch t.v. or read books you have the beginning ingredients to a sweet
recipe for a great year-round fundraiser.

How so?

By taking advantage of what's known as an affiliate program or in more common lingo - partnering.

How would you like to partner with the bohemoth Amazon.com? Blockbuster? Disney? or even the giant Wal-mart? Your
organization would receive a commission or fee for every paying customer you sent their way. No products to deliver, cakes
to bake or cars to wash.

It's easy to do, it's free, and is earning a lot of private individuals in the know a mountain of money.

Here's how it might work for you: You partner with Amazon.com by filling out a simple form and setting up an account where
your checks will be sent. And then let's put a link up on your website to Amazon.com that is linked to your affiliate
account.

Now what if you told your donors, church members or other friends of your cause that they could get great books, gifts, cd's
and videos through your site and help your organization with your funding needs at the same time? Do you think you'd have
any takers? I think you might have a lot!

Now Amazon.com may or may not be a match for you. But...the good news is there are literally thousands of affiliate
programs, many of which are bound to fit your organization like a glove.

Maybe you would like to get involved with something to do with pets...you could partner with PetSmart or PetMeds. Would you
like to do something related to kids?...lots of great programs, like Ident-A-Kid, to keep kids safe. Of course try to match
your affiliate programs to interests that many of your donors share.

Here are a some places that will get your creative juices going. One of the biggest managers in the affiliate programs is
Commission Junction, you can find them at www.cj.com, you will find hundreds of partnering opportunities from brand names
you know and trust. Another great resource to checkout is www.clickbank.com, known as Clickbank, they specialize in
electronic books and software with thousands of titles to choose from. Also many companies, such as Wal-mart manage their
own affiliate program which means you can partner up directly from their site. It's great fun and can be highly profitable
to look for the words "affiliate program" on a web page.

How much can you earn? Earnings vary widely with commission ranging from 2% to 75%. Some pay flat fees, for example
some satellite companies pay up to $100 for giving away free installations of their system.

Now a word to the wise is play it safe. Stick with the companies you know. You will have better success at raising funds
with well known and respected companies and you won't have to worry about your funds reaching your organization.

So the secret is out. Find a great partner, let your donors know they can get great products and services they were
going to purchase anyway, and help a fantastic cause at the same time.

Want more fundraiser tips or help? Click over to www.MyUltimateFundraiser.com

Article by Travis Sago a veteran fundraiser for several non-profits including The Special Olympics, Battered Women's Shelter
and Arkansas Fraternal Order of Police. Contact Info. travis@myultimatefundraiser.com