Difference between revisions of "Format a Donation Request Letter"
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== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
=== Formatting the Letter === | === Formatting the Letter === | ||
| − | #Start with the organization's name and address. At the top left-hand corner, place your organization's name, if you aren't already using letterhead. Underneath the name, add your organization's address. It's also good to have a phone number and email for people to contact you.< | + | #Start with the organization's name and address. At the top left-hand corner, place your organization's name, if you aren't already using letterhead. Underneath the name, add your organization's address. It's also good to have a phone number and email for people to contact you.<ref name="rf1">https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/999/03/</ref> |
| − | #Add the date. Skip a line below the top address. In that space, add the date. You should write the month, followed by the date, a comma, and the year. Spell out the name of the month.<ref>https://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/BusinessLetter.html</ | + | #Add the date. Skip a line below the top address. In that space, add the date. You should write the month, followed by the date, a comma, and the year. Spell out the name of the month.<ref name="rf2">https://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/BusinessLetter.html</ref> |
#Add the customer's address. Skip a line between the date and this part. Next, you put the name of the person you are sending the letter to. Underneath that, add the person's address. Below that, add the phone number and email.<ref name="rf1">https://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/BusinessLetter.html</ref> | #Add the customer's address. Skip a line between the date and this part. Next, you put the name of the person you are sending the letter to. Underneath that, add the person's address. Below that, add the phone number and email.<ref name="rf1">https://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/BusinessLetter.html</ref> | ||
#Create the greeting. Skip another line. If you know the gender of the person you are sending the letter to, it's best to use "Miss," "Mrs.," or "Mr." You can use "Ms." if you're not sure if a woman is married or not. If you're not sure about the gender of the person, just leave off the honorific (the "Mr." or "Mrs."). Either way, begin with "Dear."<ref name="rf1" /> | #Create the greeting. Skip another line. If you know the gender of the person you are sending the letter to, it's best to use "Miss," "Mrs.," or "Mr." You can use "Ms." if you're not sure if a woman is married or not. If you're not sure about the gender of the person, just leave off the honorific (the "Mr." or "Mrs."). Either way, begin with "Dear."<ref name="rf1" /> | ||
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#Start the body of the text. Next, you will have the body of the text. Often, business letters are not indented, meaning the beginning of a paragraph doesn't have an indention and you put a line between each paragraph. However, you can also indent if you prefer, in which case you don't need lines between the paragraphs, though you can add them if you like the space.<ref name="rf1" /> | #Start the body of the text. Next, you will have the body of the text. Often, business letters are not indented, meaning the beginning of a paragraph doesn't have an indention and you put a line between each paragraph. However, you can also indent if you prefer, in which case you don't need lines between the paragraphs, though you can add them if you like the space.<ref name="rf1" /> | ||
#Pick a closing. Skip a line. Choose how formal or informal you want to be. Usually, you make this choice based on how your organization represents itself. If you tend to be more informal in your outreach, you can use "Take Care" or "All the Best" to close the letter. For a more formal closing, try "Sincerely."<ref name="rf2">https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/999/03/</ref> | #Pick a closing. Skip a line. Choose how formal or informal you want to be. Usually, you make this choice based on how your organization represents itself. If you tend to be more informal in your outreach, you can use "Take Care" or "All the Best" to close the letter. For a more formal closing, try "Sincerely."<ref name="rf2">https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/999/03/</ref> | ||
| − | #Sign the letter. Leave a few lines blank below the closing where you will sign the letter. Below that add your name and your title. Below that, put your organization's name.< | + | #Sign the letter. Leave a few lines blank below the closing where you will sign the letter. Below that add your name and your title. Below that, put your organization's name.<ref name="rf1" /> |
=== Creating the Content === | === Creating the Content === | ||
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=== Using Tips to Be More Effective === | === Using Tips to Be More Effective === | ||
#Customize your letter. If possible, make each letter personal to the person you are asking to donate. Use the person's name, and if you can, add anecdotes or personal details about the person to help draw him or her in.<ref name="rf4" /> | #Customize your letter. If possible, make each letter personal to the person you are asking to donate. Use the person's name, and if you can, add anecdotes or personal details about the person to help draw him or her in.<ref name="rf4" /> | ||
| − | #Simplify the donation process. One way you can get people to donate is to offer an easy way to donate. Whether you include a (stamped) envelope for donation or provide a way to text in donation, making it as simple as possible will go a long way to getting people to donate.< | + | #Simplify the donation process. One way you can get people to donate is to offer an easy way to donate. Whether you include a (stamped) envelope for donation or provide a way to text in donation, making it as simple as possible will go a long way to getting people to donate.<ref name="rf3">http://www.giveforward.com/p/donations/donation-request</ref> |
#Try to connect with your reader. If you do your research, you can use your letter to make a connection. Use what you know about what your reader values to drive your letter, connecting them with your organization.<ref name="rf2" /> | #Try to connect with your reader. If you do your research, you can use your letter to make a connection. Use what you know about what your reader values to drive your letter, connecting them with your organization.<ref name="rf2" /> | ||
#* For instance, if you know your reader values kids and family, you could say something such as, "Kids all over the world are in need of glasses that their families can't afford. How would you feel if it were your child? Wouldn't you want someone to help?" | #* For instance, if you know your reader values kids and family, you could say something such as, "Kids all over the world are in need of glasses that their families can't afford. How would you feel if it were your child? Wouldn't you want someone to help?" | ||
