Sample fund raising letter for you to use as a template

As with all things, there's a way to do them successfully and a way to spend hours feeling lost and hopeless.

Our information with samples of successful fund raising letters is designed to point you towards success with a minimum of pain and discomfort !

How to Write a Successful Fundraising Letter

Here's some hints and tips on how to write a good fundraising application to a grant-making trust or other funding body:-

DO

• keep your letters to one or two sides of A4 paper
• address it to the right person - find out their name
• be clear and concise
• explain the benefits of your project
• mention other groups that you are already working with successfully
• talk about what you have already done - maybe include a photocopy of a recent newspaper cutting
• get someone to proof-read your application and make suggestions - if this person has experience with non-profit organisations, so much the better

DON'T

• send hundreds of identical fund raising letters or applications out asking for money - it's important to tailor them to the funders requirements
• beg - instead focus on the unique benefits of your project
• ask for more than the Trust or Foundation say are their guideline figures
• get someone else to sign the application on your behalf just because you are in a hurry

Donation letter - an example

Hopefully, this sample fundraising letter will give you an idea of how you might lay out the letter to accompany your fundraising application.

"Dear Mr Smith

Simple Town Youth Club Project

Here you need to summarise the project in a few lines.

I am writing to ask you for your support in setting up a youth club in a disused workshop in Simple Town.  Introduce yourselves - who you are, what you do and how long you've been established.  What is the project for and what need it meets.

Local youth groups have met with the police and youth workers and have identified that there is a need for evening activities for young people and this has been supported by the local community plan. Go on to explain what difference you will make, how you will do it, how much money you need and exactly how big a donation you are asking for from your donor.  Also explain where the rest of the funding will be obtained - i.e. other money you have or will raise or other funding applications you have already sent.

Yous faithfully

Your Name

Your Position within the Organisation or Group"

You can download a free PDF copy of our sample fundraising letter by clicking on the link.

Remember to keep it to two sides of A4 at the most, the people who will be reading your application probably have to look at several dozen - you don't want them to stop reading before you've made your case!

Fundraising donation form - an example

As tax laws and regulations vary from country to country, you will need to ensure that your own donation form meets the current legislation.

EXAMPLE LETTER

Your Thank You Letter

Once you have been awarded funding - this is not the time to sit back on your laurels (although a well-deserved pat on the back will not come amiss). 
It's important to write a personal letter of thanks - and also to keep the funder informed of the projects progress.

What many people do not realise is that once you have received funding from an organisation, you are more likely to receive funding from them in the future and to go on to develop a good working relationship. 

Do invite them down to see the project in action once it's successfully off the ground and spend time building friendships with their key staff - this will pay dividends not only in the area of your funding, but also with networking with other groups, other funding sources and also the overall credibility of your organisation.

Recommended Resources

"Writing Successful Fundraising Letters"

When it comes to putting pen to paper - there's nothing quite like having some real-life examples to follow and use for inspiration.

This book also gives style tips and useful hints on writing letters that get results.

Over 101 Free Fund Raising Ideas - download our free guide full of event and ongoing money raising suggestions.