Fundraising letters are a type of appeal letter and you want your appeal letters to look like personal letters. Indent the first line of paragraphs. If you want your letter to look formal, format all your paragraphs flush left. If you want them to look informal, indent the first line of each paragraph.
Avoid the newsletter look! As much as you might be tempted don’t add photographs, sidebars, call-outs and other graphic design elements to make your letter look more appealing. You will actually reduce its appeal, literally. The more your appeal letter looks like a bulletin or page from a newsletter, the less it looks like a piece of personal correspondence from one individual to another. While you do want people to read your newsletter you also want them to respond to your appeal letter.
People will read your appeal letters when your appeal letters are compelling, dramatic and interesting. They will read your letters front and back, and even turn to page three if you have one, when you give your people a reason to read and a cause to believe.
Here is a sample fundraising letter that you can use if you wish and just tailor it to fit your own information.
Dear ____________
I am writing to _____________on behalf of ___________________, as your guidelines indicate that you offer support for churches.
_______________ is a rapidly growing town situated in ________________. It has a thriving business center, with some of the top financial companies in the country being based locally.
We have a thriving youth group for local young people. We have a 68 members and offer services in both the morning and evening.
The church building is used by a number of different local groups because of its good acoustics; this includes the Watley Moor singers and the Big Down band. We also host activities such as yoga, fitness club and local coffee mornings for the local community.
We refitted our entrance seven years ago. However, the entrance doors are now in need of substantial repair if we are to be able to continue using them and welcoming in the community. The estimated cost of this work is $9995.
We have already raised the sum of $7900 through our fundraising efforts but need a further $2095 to be able to carry out the necessary work.
As a Trust that is interested in supporting and preserving buildings which are of value to the local community, we would be most grateful if you could consider assisting us with this project.
Please feel free to call me on 1234 678910 if you would like any further information.
Yours faithfully,
Jen Carter
Chair of the Fundraising Committee
Make sure that you print this on headed paper, if you have it. It’s important that it’s signed by the person whose name is on the bottom of the letter, this is not the time to be in a hurry and “pp” the letter on someone else’s behalf.
