Donation Request Letter Writing Tips: Fill & Download for Free

Every nonprofit leader knows the common adage, "it takes money to make money," and that couldn't be more true than with fundraising events. To launch a successful event, organizations need event management software, food, decorations, marketing materials, and so much more.All these components can get costly even if nonprofits stick to a strict budget. Most organizations will have to seek aid from outside resources to support their event.Luckily raising money for events doesn't have to be a challenge if you know who to ask and are equipped with the right tips. That's why we've compiled a list of three ways you can collect donations for charity events.We'll provide in-depth tips on how you can reach out to each group to help fund your next event—so let's get started!1. How to Get Donations for Charity Events From CompaniesWhy You Should Ask CompaniesCorporations and local businesses should be the first group of supporters you ask for donations. Companies have plenty of philanthropic opportunities and programs to help support organizations.In fact, businesses regularly work with nonprofit organizations to showcase their corporate social responsibility and to improve the communities in which they reside.Best of all, companies can offer more than just monetary funds; they can provide your organization with enthusiastic volunteers as well as in-kind contributions.Organizations can make use of the many corporate programs that provide charitable donations, such as:Volunteer Grants. Companies will award donations to nonprofits after an employee has volunteered for a set number of hours. For example, Verizon donates $750 for every 50 hours of volunteer work per employee.Matching Gifts. When donors give to your organization, their employee might match their donations (usually at a 1:1 ratio). General Electric will match donations to most organizations one for one on up to $25,000.Donation Requests. Many corporations provide grants or in-kind donations to nonprofits upon request. Organizations can submit an application to Walmart for a chance to receive $250 to $2,500.Moreover, asking for donations to fund your event can lead to future partnerships. You'll also gain a new audience (the company's employees), making it easier to promote your cause and raise additional funds for future projects.How to Get StartedWith so many different companies and philanthropic programs, you might not know where to start when it comes to asking for donations for charity events.The first step is to do your research. Every company will have different guidelines and rules that not only dictate when you can submit a donation request but also what types of organizations they will support.As such, researching which programs you're eligible for will save time as you prepare to submit your requests.Finally, you need to write your request letters and submit your applications. Generally, larger organizations will have an application process that you should follow, but for smaller, local businesses, your organization can send a letter.If you're not sure what to say, here is an example of a donation letter template:As you can see, a fundraising request letter should be personal as well as state the reason for your request and explain the importance of your event.Additionally, you should be specific when asking for donations; ask for the exact items or an dollar amount. Companies are more likely to respond when you're transparent about your needs.Expert Tips to Reach SuccessIf your organization is looking for additional ways to raise money with the help of businesses, why not try a nontraditional route? You can partner with local retailers to launch a checkout charity!During a checkout charity, your organization will ask your retail partners to solicit donations from patrons during checkout. You can place donation kiosks or a donation jar in stores to collect funds.While this fundraising method often gets a bad reputation, checkout charities can be a very profitable way for organizations to raise money. Still not convinced?For example, Children's Miracle Hospitals conducted a successful checkout charity with donation kiosks. Supporters could simply dip their cards into the device. Plus, donors didn't have to have cash to contribute, opening the ability to give to a much larger group of patrons.2. How to Get Donations for Charity Events From DonorsWhy You Should Ask DonorsIt's no question that donor support is how nonprofits raise the bulk of their funds, and it's no different for events.While the donations you receive from supporters many be smaller than the money you raise from corporations, donors can be just as valuable because they can share your campaign with friends and family.From the donor who gives $25 every month to the major donor that gives $5,000 in one check, individuals can play a huge role in funding your event.Individuals can donate money as well as time and help raise awareness about your cause. Plus, the excitement that they build for your charity event, might persuade others to get involved, which can lead to more attendees and support.How to Get StartedYou probably have several ongoing campaigns where you ask donors for funds. Those campaigns can contribute to your fundraiser, however, you should also create a separate campaign dedicated to raising money for your event.This will make it easier for you to clearly explain how the funds will be used and why raising the money is important. Additionally, you can set a specific fundraising goal that supporters can aspire to reach.There are plenty of different ways you can raise funds, including these proven fundraising ideas:Launch a crowdfunding campaign. As we mentioned earlier, donors can be instrumental in raising awareness, and what better way to spread the word than with a crowdfunding campaign? Crowdfunding is a low-cost way to raise money and donors can utilize the social sharing features available on most platforms to spread the word.Sell merchandise. If you already sell merchandise to raise money for your cause, create a campaign where all the funds from purchased items will go to support your event. Since donors will know exactly what their funds are going toward, they'll be more likely to purchase an item to support your event.Appeal to major donors. Use prospect research and have key staff members reach out to major donors about making a contribution. You can also use your boards' connections to find potential major donors. Additionally, you could propose a challenge match donation, where your nonprofit must raise a certain amount that will then be matched by a major donor.Last, but certainly not least, don't forget to promote your primary giving methods.For instance, let donors know how simple it is to give via a donation kiosk when they're visiting your facilities. Share visuals like the image below on your social media accounts to show supporters that the giving process only takes a couple of minutes to complete.Thank you for reading my article.Please we need your help in supporting our Foundation. Lets both join hands in making the world a better place through Cryptocurrency. Nothing is small. Crypto Care Foundation (CCF) (www.cryptocarefoundation,com) is a nonprofit organisation dedicated to achieving global Sustainable development by unlocking the power of blockchain. We develop and test viable solutions that address the root cause of social problems to guide people out of the poverty trap. We hope the transparency and inclusiveness of the blockchain donation system will trigger donors’ willingness to participate and motivate end beneficiaries to fundamentally improve their living conditions. Giving is more. Save a child today. God Bless YOU.

Dear President Barack Obama:Thank you for your exemplary leadership while America's 44th elected Executive. I hold for you in my heart a deep admiration and respect; as my past Executive and to you personally as a rare man of integrity and your lovely family. I am honoured You Chose to lead us.My views on The National Democratic Party however are most different, Sir and I write today in response to a DNC donation request with your name across the letter in what must be 87 font.Even these feelings for you cannot assuage the disappointment and insult I register at the messaging and identity of the DNC. Further, I am shocked to see such a letter under your name, as I know you have a history of not…what is it?Trusting? Liking? Or perhaps the party's messaging, like me.As a Progressive I must tell you Sir, I cannot monetarily support this donation request from the DNC; or any other arm of DNC leadership including Mr. Perez, Lipinski or Speaker Pelosi.You above all I suspect are aware that the DNC leadership wants only power-for themselves-and I can no longer allow “Republican Lite" to commit electoral fraud by squelching or tip the scales to eviserate My Candidates cycle after cycle.You are smart enough to hold this conversation with me and-because it is you-I’ve no doubt you also see my point.I've got the funny view that I Choose and tipping the scales as DNC does-two cycles running!-tastes just like voter suppression!My admiration for you will never deminish, but good grief. Stick with your opposition charge with your AG on gerrymandering, please. Here; there is no platform to woo me.

“Hello, I am struggling to find a job for the summer. Can you help me?”I receive several of these requests every month, on Quora or LinkedIn. I try to be a nice guy and help when I can but a request like that tells me why you are struggling to find a job.You are lazy. You took two seconds to write that request and left it wide open for me to do all the work. I know nothing about you, have no clue what you’ve tried so far, your skills, your ambition, etc. Then you ask me an open-ended question which leaves all of the detective work to me. Now, I have to email you back and say “Could you please tell me more,” typing a response that takes much more effort than your initial request. My personal favorite is when you just write to me with “Hey.”I am busy. You give me no specific next step to take. It requires far too much thinking for a total stranger and I do have other things going on in my life. Your request is wide open, difficult and requires substantial effort. How am I going to get charged up to answer this?The Importance Of SpecificityRichard Nesbitt and Lee Ross conducted an experiment with Stanford students, who were asked to list the most generous students they knew as well as the most selfish.Lists were created and the researchers contacted these groups, asking them to contribute to a food drive. They split them into two groups, with the difference being instructions given.The first group was given a vague “Dear Student” request asking them to donate food and telling them where they could drop it off and when.The second group was given much more specific direction. They were addressed by name in the letter, given direction on specific foods to bring (i.e. Creamed Corn), a map directing them to the drop box, a specific time to visit and then a follow-up call reminding them of what they learned in the letter.Students who received vague instructions donated 8% and 0% for the generous and selfish groups, respectively.Students who were offered specific directions jumped to 42% and 25%.Even one in four jerks showed up with some creamed corn, due in large part to how specific the instructions were. The researchers took all the thought out of the process, with the only decision to make as go or no go.Make It Easy To Help YouWhen I suggest to a job seeker that they need to approach as many decision makers as possible, I often hear “I’ve tried that, it doesn’t work.”Perhaps, you have tried. How many did you reach out to? Five? Ten? How about 500? How bad to do you want a better job?Your alternative is starting your own business and I assure you that you will reach out to far more strangers than 500 to accomplish that.How easy are you making it on those you reach out to? Are you leaving them with open-ended requests to help you?How many decisions do they have to make when they open your email?Offer a quick introduction. Think about a kid selling Girl Scout cookies who knocks on your door. “Hi, I’m Sarah with Girl Scouts. I live three blocks down the street.” OK, we got that out of the way and I understand exactly why she is standing on my porch.Make it clear why you have reached out to them in particular. Let them know that you did research to arrive at their email address and you need their help in particular for a specific reason.Make a direct ask for something that is simple, actionable and requires no other thought process but yes or no. If you start with the highest level person you can find, that ask is most likely something like “Will you please forward this email to the person directly responsible for hiring this position?”They now have one decision to make. They can forward the email to someone in their network, who is most likely junior to their position if you did the homework. Or, they can delete your email.It is still likely they will not help you, just like 75% of the jerks in the study still didn’t donate to the food drive. That said, you give yourself a much better chance of sparking an action on your behalf if you are clear, direct and ask for something that requires a quick decision or action.Do the work for the person you need help from. Make it easy to help you.