The ultimate fundraising template

It’s hard to get started writing. So I can appreciate the value of a “template” that gives you a framework to hang your material on. Here’s a template for a fundraising appeal I found in a fundraising blog:

Dear [name]: Each year [name of organization] continues to advance [our cause]. Through our [name of programs] we have seen many lives changed for the better. Let me share with you the story of [story of someone helped by the organization]

It goes on, but you get the picture.

I hesitate to criticize a fellow blogger who’s working to serve the nonprofit community, but: Please don’t use this template to write your own fundraising letter. It’s the old kind of organization-focused fundraising, where you brag about yourself, tout your abilities, focus on your needs, and then (maybe) mention to the donor that you’d like her to join your parade by sending a gift.

That’s not appropriate fundraising. It just doesn’t work well enough to be worth the cost of doing it.

With that in mind, I offer you (free of charge!) a deluxe Fundraising Letter Template. You are free to use this; it has absolutely no copyright whatsoever.

Dear [name]: You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. Yes, you. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You.

Sincerely,

[Signature]

[Name]

[Title]

P.S. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You.

Instructions: Liberally sprinkle in nouns and verbs. Use adjectives and adverbs sparingly. Include specific examples of what the donor’s gift will accomplish. Include true-life stories that demonstrate the need for the donor’s involvement. Be sure to clearly and articulately ask for a gift more than once.

Use this template, and you’ll see success in your fundraising.