Date
Your Name
Your Organization’s Name
Street
City, State ZIP
Dear [Donor’s Name],
My name is [your name] and I am [describe your position/situation/background]. I am looking to raise [amount of money] to help pay for [project/expense/cause/etc.].
[Include information about why the cause or project is important to you and how it could potentially impact the reader or those you serve.]
Just a small donation of [amount] can help me [accomplish task/reach a goal/etc.].
Your donation will go toward [describe exactly what the contribution will be used for].
[When possible, add a personal connection to tie the donor to the cause.]
Thank you in advance for your contribution. You have no idea how much it means to me to have your support.
Here are the ways you can make a donation:
- Make a donation online at [URL of your crowdfunding campaign].
- Send a check in the pre-stamped envelope I’ve included (no cash, please).
- Come to my fundraising event on [date] at [location] [when applicable]
Thank you again!
Sincerely,
[Your signature]
[Your typed name]
How to Ask for Donations with Social Media
When to Use Social Media
Asking for donations on social media is a more casual version of asking for donations via email. It’s a type of mass communication that you can use on a pretty regular basis.
Having said that, you shouldn’t expect to receive any major gifts just because you made a few donation appeals on Twitter. Using social media as a fundraising tool is almost more about spreading the word about your cause.
The best possible scenario is using social media to inform followers about your nonprofit and direct them to your online donation page, where they can make a contribution. But even if they don’t give, you’ve at least put your organization’s mission on their newsfeeds.
Resources Needed
#1: First, you’ll need to find a social media platform that works for you and your donors. If all of your supporters use Facebook but all of your efforts are focused on Instagram, you’re missing the point.
#2: Then, promote your online donation page on the platform. In each post, provide followers with a link to your donation form and explain why you’re asking for contributions. You can even post pictures and videos!
#3: If you can, set up a donation page on Facebook. Some online donation page providers have options for their nonprofit customers to place a version of the donation form within a tab on Facebook. That way, donors can give via Facebook without ever leaving the site.