Community-Aid Group • Example Letters, Guides and Samples

Guides

If the group you represent is very well known, this letter may be kept fairly short, if desired. For organizations that are not as well known, include some background information and describe some of the things your group has accomplished in the past.

How to write this fundraising letter:

  1. Introduce your organization and describe the particular need in your community that is being met by the work that you do.
  2. Explain how readers can help in this effort (either by sending a direct monetary donation, by participating in or hosting a fundraising event, by contributing goods or services, etc.).
  3. Tell about the benefits that will come to the community because of the money you are seeking to raise; be as specific as possible.
  4. Invite readers to take specific and immediate action (whether by making a donation, taking part in the fundraising event, etc.).
  5. Thank donors for their willingness to help in the important work that your organization performs, and remind them that it could not be done without their contributions.

Example Letter #1

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Each year, (Name of Organization) strives to secure the nation's blood supply by organizing week-long blood drives in cities throughout our country. Each year, thousands of people come out in acknowledgment of the nation's need for this invaluable resource, and the resulting donations provide hospitals and reserves across our country with much needed replenishments and support.

This year, the local chapter of (Name of Organization) will host its annual blood drive at (Name of Location). From (Date) to (Date), 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., qualified volunteers will be present to assist in the drawing of blood and maintaining an orderly and sanitary process. Please consider visiting us this year to donate a resource at the heart of the security and well-being of our nation's health.

Again, here are the complete details about the drive:

Dates of Drive

Name of Location

Address of Location

Hours of the Drive

We hope you will visit us and support this important cause.

Example Letter #2

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Here at Springfield Community Aid, we rarely grab the headlines. We just feed hungry children and help families who are a week or two behind in their rent payments. You may have seen our vans, not at disaster sites, but parked outside an elderly person's home, bringing help to someone who still has part of the month left when they come to the end of their Social Security check. We do small things that make all the difference.

Now we invite you to join us in making that difference. Can you find it in your heart to help someone who is having a hard time right here at home in Springfield?

Your donation of $5, $25, or whatever you can give, will help to smooth a struggling person's pathway. It may be your neighbor, or the person who mows your lawn, or perhaps someone you have never met. But whoever it is, they may need your help.

Thank you for your kind support. Your gift, together with the gifts of your neighbors, will help us keep Springfield a city that takes care of its own.

Example Letter #3

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At Hands Helping Humanity, we have made it our mission to bring relief to those in need. For more than 50 years, we have helped victims of natural disasters, both here and abroad, to get back on their feet and rebuild their lives. We are pleased to say that last year alone, we were able to raise almost $300,000 to send to the victims of the devastating hurricanes that struck the Southeast.

This year, we have a similar mission. You have undoubtedly heard about the recent flooding in the Midwest. Early reports estimate damage in the tens of millions of dollars. That's why we want to act immediately to begin to raise money to help first with the most basic necessities that have been lost. Accordingly, we are holding a fundraising auction next Saturday, May 9, from 2 to 6 p.m. to raise $10,000 in order to purchase such things as clothing, blankets and bedding, and hygiene items for the victims of this latest natural disaster.

Any items you could contribute to the auction--such as new or lightly used books, toys, paintings, clothing, electronics, DVDs and CDs, baked goods, etc.--would be very much appreciated. Simply bring the items to the community center on the morning of the 9th. For more information about the event, or if you would like to help with the auction, call Jane at 555-5555. (Direct monetary donations are also welcome; please send contributions of any amount to the address above.)

Will you join us next Saturday at the community center to help raise money for the more than 300 families that have been affected by the flooding? We very much appreciate the generous support we have received from the citizens of this community in the past, and we look forward to a wonderful turnout to help us raise money this next worthwhile cause.

Example Letter #4

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The American Relief Association was founded more than 40 years ago to provide aid to those in need throughout our country. Our local chapter was established 27 years ago, and it has been helping community members ever since. The mission of ARA is to provide individuals and families with temporary food, clothing, shelter, or financial assistance when needed, whether as a result of a natural or manmade disaster, loss of employment, or other calamity.

I am writing to you today to ask that your company help us in this effort. Next month, during our Month of Caring, we are inviting businesses in the community to hold fundraising events to help us to raise money for our local chapter of the Association. One hundred percent of the money raised will go to help those most in need in our community, especially those still recovering from the devastating flooding earlier this spring.

I have enclosed a brochure with more information about the Month of Caring, including a list of fundraising event ideas, such as auctions, 5K/10K walks or runs, telethons, bake sales, bazaars, car washes, and many more. If you are interested in holding a fundraising event through your business to help us raise money for the Association, or if you have questions or would like to help in some other way, please call our office at 555-5555 by next Friday, August 27.

I hope you will catch the spirit of this work and participate with us in the Month of Caring. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Write Your Letter Step-by-Step

1 Introduce your organization and describe the particular need in your community that is being met by the work that you do.

Sample Sentences for Step 1
  • At Hope for Humanity, we have been fighting for human rights for almost 50 years.
  • As you are probably aware, Doe Way was founded more than 100 years ago to serve those in need in our community.
  • Whether it's natural or manmade disasters, family emergencies, or personal crises, we are here to help.
  • At the Foundation, we work tirelessly to bring relief to those who are in need, around the corner and throughout the world.
  • I represent Stop the Abuse, a nonprofit organization that helps women and children who have had to leave dangerous situations at home by providing them with temporary food, shelter, and work.
  • The United Cause organization works with other nonprofits in the community and throughout the nation to bring aid to those who truly need it.
Sample Phrases for Step 1
  • United Hope has been serving communities
  • Johnson Foundation has made it our goal to
  • each year we are able to provide
  • Children in Crisis works to
  • White Knights was founded to
  • work together with local businesses
  • we work with local agencies
  • partnered with local authorities to
  • bring relief to those
  • provide immediate disaster relief for
  • always on call to serve those
  • mission is to
  • work tirelessly to
  • was founded more than 50 years ago
  • established back in 1975 to
  • help those in the community who
  • work with other nonprofit organizations to
  • a nonprofit organization that provides
  • serving the local community by
  • work to collaborate/coordinate the efforts of

2 Explain how readers can help in this effort (either by sending a direct monetary donation, by participating in or hosting a fundraising event, by contributing goods or services, etc.).

Sample Sentences for Step 2
  • Mr. Jackson, would you be able to make a donation of $100 to help us renovate the shelter?
  • To help us meet the ongoing need, we are asking for a modest donation of $25 a month, which will go directly to feeding and providing shelter for the women and children at the Center.
  • We want to make this fundraising campaign a grand success, so we are asking for volunteers to serve on a committee that will help bring this event to fruition.
  • We plan to raise the necessary funds by holding an auction, and all proceeds will go directly to the Emergency Fund. Will your family help our cause by providing at least one quality new or used item from the list below?
  • Working together as a community, we hope to raise $50,000 by the end of the month to help provide temporary shelter to those in China who were most affected by the recent earthquakes.
  • This year, we are hoping to raise $500,000 to help provide relief for the many families that were devastated by the recent flooding in the South.
Sample Phrases for Step 2
  • hope you will support our efforts
  • counting on people like you to
  • need the cooperation of local businesses
  • looking for corporate sponsors
  • asking for a $200 donation to
  • your $35 donation is tax deductible
  • could donate $75, $50, or even $25
  • looking for volunteers to help coordinate
  • need volunteers to participate in our
  • holding a fundraising event that will require
  • asking that local businesses provide
  • if you could donate items to be used for prizes
  • asking for items to be sold in our fundraiser auction
  • your annual donation to
  • a monthly donation of $50 or more
  • need the support of individuals
  • could participate in our annual
  • provide goods for our bake sale

3 Tell about the benefits that will come to the community because of the money you are seeking to raise; be as specific as possible.

Sample Sentences for Step 3
  • Because of the relief you will be helping to provide, we will be able to give assistance to local families to help them get back on their feet.
  • Through our wide variety of programs, you will be helping to make a difference in the life of someone who truly needs a helping hand.
  • All money donated goes to one of our various humanitarian-aid efforts, such as making blankets and clothing, providing food and other essential hygiene supplies, helping to build schools, and much more.
  • The money we raise over the next month will be used to send volunteers to the countries affected by the recent tsunami to help in the cleanup and reconstruction effort.
  • Your donation will go directly to the men, women, and children who need immediate medical assistance in this war-ravaged country.
  • With the money we hope to raise (with your help!), we will be purchasing supplies for hygiene kits and other items of immediate need.
Sample Phrases for Step 3
  • will be able to purchase
  • able to provide supplies for
  • purchase food and other necessary
  • all donations will be used to
  • 100% of the proceeds will go towards
  • money raised will go directly to
  • will provide local families with
  • provide relief to individuals affected by
  • your tax-deductible donation will be used to
  • will provide medical assistance to
  • offer emergency relief to
  • provide humanitarian aid to
  • individuals in our community will benefit
  • will be used to send volunteers to
  • give citizens the opportunity to
  • give hope to those
  • make a difference to
  • help those who

4 Invite readers to take specific and immediate action (whether by making a donation, taking part in the fundraising event, etc.).

Sample Sentences for Step 4
  • Mr. Lund, I invite you to make a donation today to help us make our goal of raising $100,000 a reality.
  • Remember, your donation is 100 percent tax-deductible, so pledge today to make an annual donation, and help us give the gift of life.
  • Please show your support to this cause by sending a generous donation to the Foundation.
  • We need all the support we can get to help our fellow neighbors to the south, so encourage your friends and neighbors to come to the benefits concert next Saturday.
  • Though much has already been accomplished, there is still so much needed relief. You can help alleviate that need by making a donation of $50, $75, $100, or more today.
  • If you aren't able to make an $85 donation today, we understand. But would you be able to make a $50, or even $25, donation instead? As you know, these people can use all the help they can get.
Sample Phrases for Step 4
  • invite you to act today by
  • please act today
  • make a difference by
  • make a donation today of $50
  • send your donation of $30 or more to
  • act now by
  • mail your tax-deductible donation
  • please help by
  • pledge to make a monthly/annual donation
  • support this cause by donating
  • commit to be a part of
  • support this important work by
  • help those in need by
  • lend a hand by
  • support your community by
  • show your support by
  • participate in the fundraising auction
  • take part in the fundraiser
  • decide today to
  • help us meet our goal by

5 Thank donors for their willingness to help in the important work that your organization performs, and remind them that it could not be done without their contributions.

Sample Sentences for Step 5
  • We truly appreciate the support of so many people who make our work possible. We couldn't do it without you!
  • Ms. Adams, for years you have been a loyal supporter of our organization, and may we express, once again, our sincerest gratitude for all you have contributed. We hope you will feel in your heart the desire to do so once again.
  • Please accept our warmest thanks for your support in the past. We hope you will be able to help us meet this current need.
  • Without the contributions of people like you, we know that our organization could never be a success. Thank you so much for all of your support over the years.
  • When you give to Children's Hope, you truly make a difference in the life of a young boy or girl who really needs your help. Please make a generous donation today to help us continue this important work.
  • We are very proud of the generosity of so many giving souls in this community. Please know that every cent you donate goes to help a child in need.
Sample Phrases for Step 5
  • want to thank all those
  • grateful to the many individuals
  • make this work a success
  • couldn't do this work without
  • very much appreciate the generosity of so many
  • make this work possible
  • express our gratitude to all those
  • would never be able to
  • need the continued support of
  • without the support of donors like you
  • truly make a difference in the lives of
  • owe a debt of gratitude to
  • wish to express our heartfelt thanks
  • proud of the generosity of so many
  • proud to serve this community
  • wish to truly thank
  • if it weren't for the support of
  • know that we could never

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