How to Write a Direct Mail Fundraising Letter (Four Tips)

1.
Address your reader as a friend, not as “Friend.”When was the last time you received a letter from someone dear to you, addressing you as “Dear Friend?” Never, right? The days of the Dear Friend le... 1.
Address your reader as a friend, not as “Friend.”When was the last time you received a letter from someone dear to you, addressing you as “Dear Friend?” Never, right? The days of the Dear Friend letter are dead. I heard recently of a chairman of the board of a national charity who has given his charity millions of dollars and hundreds of hours of his time, yet he still receives fundraising appeals from this charity addressing him as “Dear Friend.” Ouch.
2. Arrest attention with an opening that resonates with your donors.
Assume your reader is standing over a trash can with a stack of today’s mail, reading the opening sentence of each letter before deciding its fate. You have only a few seconds to grab the reader’s interest.
So make it a zinger. Here are two openings for the same non-profit.
Which one grabs your attention and makes you want to read on? Opening 1: “I am writing to you to ask if you would like to support a low-income housing building project in your neighbourhood.” Opening 2: “If I invited you to walk over to your neighbour’s house with a bundle of roof shingles under your arm as a gift, what would you do?” 3. Put flesh and bones on your need.One truth in fundraising is that people give to people to help people.
So always describe your need in terms of people, not programs, not ministry, not money. INSTEAD OF SAYING .
. .
We operate three vans.SAY . .
. The three vans that we use for emergency medical relief play a vital role in saving lives throughout the year.
INSTEAD OF SAYING . .
. Essential medicines in many countries are not affordable.
SAY . .
. Phillip Mbago is dying from a treatable disease for no other reason than this—he can’t afford his cure.
4. Ask for funds by painting a picture.Don’t just ask for a donation.
Show your readers how their donations will make a difference. Instead of saying, “Send a gift today,” say, “Your gift to Habitat for Humanity today means that another family will soon move into a simple, decent, affordable home—thanks to you.” © 2005 Sharpe Copy Inc.
You may reprint this article online and in print provided the links remain live and the content remains unaltered (including the "About the author" message). Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com .

Top blog stories

A review of Idmobile.com

Idmobile.com offers both pay-as-you-go and contract plans. Pay-as-you-go plans are ideal for customers who don't want to be tied down to a long-term contract, and they can purchase bundles of data, minutes, and texts as and when they need them.

see post

A review of Idmobile.com

Idmobile.com offers both pay-as-you-go and contract plans. Pay-as-you-go plans are ideal for customers who don't want to be tied down to a long-term contract, and they can purchase bundles of data, minutes, and texts as and when they need them.

see post

AO.co: Online Shopping Made Simple

AO.co is a trusted expert in TVs, washing machines, clothes dryers and other household appliances. AO.com is one of the largest retailers in the UK and it specializes in electronics, clothes and home furniture.

see post

For our people.

At Three, we believe phones are good. They just make life better. Easier. And more fun. But we all need to find a balance that works for us. Our mission is to help our customers use their phones to live their best lives.

see post

We make your life easier

We make your life easier Since 1992, we’ve been helping customers get the best deal on their dream phone. We firmly believe in giving you the highest quality, for the lowest price. That’s why we work with three of the UK’s leading networks to do all the haggling for you,...

see post

FOUR BRANDS BECOME ONE. CURRYS.

Currys PLC is a leading omnichannel retailer of technology products and services, operating through 800+ stores and 16 websites in seven countries.

see post

Halfords - Quicker, Easier, and Convenient.

At Halfords, we're all about the journey. With more than 700 stores with over 10,000 colleagues, we're the UK's leading retailer of automotive and cycling products. We are also the leading operator in MOT, tyres, car servicing and car repairs - pleasing more than 750,000 customers every year.

see post

FOUR BRANDS BECOME ONE. CURRYS.

Currys PLC is a leading omnichannel retailer of technology products and services, operating through 800+ stores and 16 websites in seven countries.

see post

Sky - Epic. Endless. Entertainment.

It's important to us that everyone gets great customer service and can enjoy our products, no matter their level of sight. So, if you're blind, partially sighted or struggle to see or read the screen, we’ve a range of features to help you get the most from our products and...

see post

Nasty Gal - We exist for the “girl in progress”.

Look iconic, without the hassle— using Nasty Gal discount codes, you can shop your favorite pieces for way less by simply entering one of our promotional codes (of your choice) at the checkout. From delivery offers, to promo deals, we keep ‘em coming, so you always have the offer you...

see post

Digital Publishing From Past to Now

The Covid-19 has caused the school and universities to shut down around the world creating a major issue in Learning and Education. As this virus spreads through the interaction and if social distanci... The Covid-19 has caused the school and universities to shut down around the world creating a major...

see post

Why it’s Important to Manage Your Holiday Calendars?

A printable calendar 2021 is a prominent online platform where you download printable calendars of your choice. These calendars can be customized as per our client requirement with photo, text, logo, or any other image. If you are thinking of planning a dream vacation tour with family and kids but...

see post

5 Tips to become successful in business and in life

In my opinion, philosophies in business can be applied in life and vice versa. People have to realize that successful business owners didn't acquire their wealth by sheer luck. They think and act differently that the rest. Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

Satin Nightgowns - Ladies Sleepwear Guide

Satin nightgowns are a glamorous ladies sleepwear option with so much more appeal than their intimate apparel cousin, the cotton nightgown. Silky satin is a soft and rich fabric with luxurious appeal that has won the hearts of lingerie fans everywhere. Rich satin nightgowns are a glamorous sleepwear choice compared...

Nursing Nightgown - What New Mothers Need To Know About Ladies Sleepwear

A nursing nightgown is a must have lingerie drawer basic for new mothers. This popular type of nightgown is specially designed for breastfeeding moms, and is highly recommended as it makes things a lot easier and more comfortable for both the new mother and her baby. A nursing nightgown is...

Green Choices: Lessons From Jim Simcoe, An Eco-Consultant

Think. Act. Speak. Living green can be summed up in these three words. Greening up your life isn’t just about changing your light bulbs. It’s how you think, what actions you take, and who you infl... Think. Act. Speak. Living green can be summed up in these three words. Greening...

A Primer On The Cotton Nightgown

The fantastic selection of ladies sleepwear has never been as tempting or affordable as it is today. Discover which cotton nightgown fits you best Since almost the beginning of time, a great ladies sleepwear basic has been the cotton nightgown. Cotton is a natural fabric that is well known for...

Hints and Tips for the Sony Reader

Many people prefer the Sony reader to any other make of e-reader, but they often don't know how to resolve some of the problems they might come across.  Here are 12 tips to help you resolve some of the more common problems, and allow you to make better use of...

HDTV - Things to Consider Before Buying HDTV

With all new HDTV being announced in the tv market, all of them claim to have advanced technology features which encourage you to get another tv although you already have one. However, buying an HDTV is a long term investment, there are several important things you need to think about...

4 Green Remodeling Tips from an Eco-Consultant

“Everybody wants to be green.”   It’s sexy, it’s cool, and it’s socially responsible being green. Unfortunately it can also be paradoxical and elusive. Is it green to lay down bamboo floo... “Everybody wants to be green.”   It’s sexy, it’s cool, and it’s socially responsible being green. Unfortunately it can also...

7 Ways To Green Your Company

Many large businesses and corporations have started funding and promoting greener ways and strategies. Take, for example, Wal-Mart’s funding of the first heavy-duty diesel hybrid 18-wheelers or... Many large businesses and corporations have started funding and promoting greener ways and strategies. Take, for example, Wal-Mart’s funding of the first heavy-duty...

Selecting a Wedding Photographer.

You've got the names of lots of local wedding photographers but which one do you trust to shoot the biggest event of your life?  In this article I'll help you choose your dream wedding photographer and highlight a few of the pitfalls you will want to avoid. Source: Free Articles...

Search topic

Selecting a Wedding Photographer.

You've got the names of lots of local wedding photographers but which one do you trust to shoot the biggest event of your life?  In this article I'll help you choose your dream wedding photographer and highlight a few of the pitfalls you will want to avoid. Source: Free Articles...

Learn more