How do you write a fundraising letter?

Successful fundraising letters clearly state the purpose for seeking donations and appeal to the reader on an emotional level. The letter’s content should be donor-focused and written in a conversational tone, providing specific examples of how the monies are intended to benefit the organization.

The information and rhetoric included in a fundraising letter largely depend on the end purpose of the solicitation, which might be to meet annual expenses or to support a special event. A letter that follows a recognizable pattern of introduction, main points and closing remarks presents the details to potential donors in an easy-to-understand format, thereby increasing the chance of acquiring a donation. Other stylistic choices to consider include asking for specific donation amounts, offering multiple ways for a potential donor to get involved and using headings to summarize the content of each paragraph. Most fundraising letters conclude with an expression of gratitude for any donation.