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How to Write a Straight-Forward Contribution Letter

Jun 1st, 2011 Leave a comment

  1. Catch attention with a provocative opening.
  2. Use compelling stories of individuals.
  3. Ask for the gift early and often.
  4. Tell what the gift will accomplish.
  5. Be personal.
  6. Write with a sense of urgency.
  7. Highlight the volunteer aspects of your work.
  8. Give your prospect “permission to believe.”
  9. Describe needs yet to be met.
  10. Offer hope.
  11. Show appreciation.
  12. Inform the prospect/donor.

 

Photo by: http://www.flickr.com/photos/76283671@N00/184623755/sizes/m/in/photostream/

3 Ways to Capture Information on Your Donors

Jun 1st, 2011 Leave a comment

If you are to be effective in Financial Resource Development, you need to be in the business of getting to know our donors and prospects.  There are at least 3 ways to capture information on your donors and prospects.

1.  By Practicing the Discipline of “Listening”

You simply will be amazed how much you learn about your donors as you build a relationship with them.

  • They freely share their likes and their dislikes.
  • They tell you what they like to give to and what they don’t like to give to.
  • They love matching funds or they simply are turned off by matching funds.
  • They love building projects or they wouldn’t give a dime to a building project.
  • They love to give on a consistent basis each month or they prefer to give once a year in December.
  • They talk about their careers, their families, their hobbies, their successes, their disappointments.

Simply by listening, you can discover vital information that will allow you to more effectively connect with them.

2.  By “Looking and Observing”

When you walk into a donor’s home or office, look to see if you can discover more about them through what is displayed.

  • It might be a favorite collection, a plaque or a degree that is prominently displayed.
  • It could be a picture of some golf buddies or a picture of an airplane or sailboat that might tell you of a hobby or special interest.

People display these because they are important to them and it is part and parcel of who they are.

Strike up a conversation on any of these interests and you will have a captive audience.

3.  By “Asking”

Do you want to discover when they tend to give over the course of the year?  Do you want to know about their family?  Their career?  What they like to give to?

 

The answer to these and other questions is only a question away on your part.

 

Photo by: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lalunablanca/1058204843/sizes/m/in/photostream/