If you need some help with a donation request letter for your group, feel free to use the following template to create your own letter.
(More donation request letters and thank you letters.)
Dear Donor,
Thank you for your generous support in the past. I don’t take lightly the fact that you have set aside some of your hard earned money—even harder in times like these—to support (your cause).
– Start by thanking the donor, if it’s someone who has given before.
Do you love stories? I know I do. And I want to share with you a story of how your support, and the support of others across this great nation of ours, has helped to (include a personal story here of how their donation has made a difference to your cause).
– Hook the potential donor with an opening line that grabs their attention. Including a personal testimony or story is always a good idea.
In fact, it was this story that motivated us at (your cause) to clarify our goals as an organization so that we can be most effective at what we do. Keeping (your story) in mind, we came up with these three issues that we feel are really at the heart of what we do at (your organization).
1. Goal # 1 List specific goal(s) no more than three current goals.
2. Goal # 2
3. Goal # 3
In a perfect world, you could read this letter and give again when you had the extra cash. But that’s not the world we live in, is it? Rarely does an opportunity to do good come along when we’re well-prepared for it. There is some good news, though. Right now, (name of company) has offered to match, dollar-for-dollar, every donation that is given to (your organization). That means that with your gift of $50, you have the chance to make a $100 impact!
– A sense of urgency is important.
And cliché though it may be, the truth is that opportunities like this don’t last long. We have only (period of time – give a specific deadline) to make the most of this chance.
So the question for you today, (donor), is: Can you give again? (Comment: Ask directly for the donation.) The need is great, the cause is worthy, and the battle is raging. I could tell you about the free duffel bag you’ll receive for a gift of more than $25, or about the (special privileges) our Partners receive…but you and I know that most people don’t give for that reason. People give because they value the cause given to.
And our cause here at (your organization) has not changed. We are more focused than ever. The need is greater than ever, and the chance to make an impact even greater still.
We’ve done all we can to make it easy for you. Just put your donation in the enclosed pre-paid, pre-addressed envelope, and drop it in the mail.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
(Your name)
(Your organization)
P.S. For the price of a meal out, $25, you can (list something significant that can be done with that amount of money).
– Always include a P.S.—in this case suggesting an amount.