Letter Writing Campaign Project
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Fundraising
Nervous about fundraising? Please know that this is to be expected! Your fundraising goal may seem
intimidating now, but we’re here to help you your fundraising goal and the finish line on race day.
Step 1 - Awareness
Familiarize yourself with how Free Wheelchair Mission works – things like what our mission statement is
("to provide the transforming gift of mobility to the physically disabled poor in developing
countries, as motivated by Jesus Christ,”); how much a wheelchair costs for us to manufacture, ship,
and deliver ($77.91); and how many wheelchairs we’ve given away so far (over 680,000 in 86 countries!)
Visit www.freewheelchairmission.org for more information. Make everyone you come in contact with
aware of what you are doing and why.
Step 2- Believe
Believe that our mission is worthy of your time and effort. Know that your efforts over the next few months
will help provide the transforming gift of mobility to people around the world. Believe that you can – and
WILL – reach your fundraising goal, and the finish line. Know that people really do want to help – your job
is to ask them.
Step 3 - Contact Everyone
The more people you ask, the more people will give. It’s simple! The number one reason donors report
giving to a cause is because they were asked. You never know who has a connection to the cause and is
just waiting for the opportunity to get involved.
Who To Contact?
You will be amazed how many people you know once you start to identify and list them! In developing
your list, think of groups of people you know, and then identify individuals within that group. Don’t leave
anyone off your list because you think they aren’t able to or won’t donate. Here are people to consider:
 Family and relatives…every one of them!
 Friends and neighbors – and their friends and neighbors!
 Work associates: current and former co-workers, bosses, clients.
 Organizations/Clubs.
 Church, Synagogue or other Religious Groups.
 School acquaintances, Alumni lists, High School, College friends.
 Your kids’ families and friends.
 Your parents’ friends.
 People/Businesses you do business with
 Corporations/Companies. The company you/your spouse work for may make a donation. Some
companies “match” donations made by employees…ask your donors if their company has a
matching gift program so their donation can be doubled!
 Past donors, for returning fundraisers – you can pull reports of people who gave to you last year
How do I approach them?
 Face-to-face is the most effective technique.
 A letter/email campaign is the most efficient way to reach almost everyone.
 Now is the right time to ask – stay prepared by keeping copies of your letter on hand at all times
 Practice makes perfect: Practice asking so the words flow smoothly and you feel comfortable
asking people to contribute.
Letter Writing Campaign Project
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Follow Up! How many times have you put a donation letter in your ‘to do’ pile? Many potential
donors need a friendly reminder before they get their checkbooks out. Phone your contact to
follow-up and see if they received your material and plan to contribute. Just because they have
not sent you a donation, does not mean they won’t. Sometimes people just need a personal
reminder.
Writing a Good Letter
We firmly stand by our thought that the #1 way of raising money in this program is with a letter-writing
campaign. This is a letter that you send to extended family, current and past friends, neighbors, old
college roommates, your favorite teacher from fourth grade, your hairdresser, doctor, chiropractor and just
about anybody else that you can think of. Pull out your address book and get printing! The key to a
successful letter campaign is writing a good letter. Here are some suggestions to writing a successful
fundraising letter.
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Make it Personal - We all love to get personal letters, so make your letter personal. Let them
know what else is going on in your life other than this event. Then slide into what the event is
about and why you are personally involved.
Use Humor - Start your letter with something like "Have you heard that (your name) has gone off
the deep end again. She is thinking about running 13.1 miles..."
Short and Sweet - Keep the letter to one page. If it is too long, you will lose the reader's interest.
Ask - Very important! What separates this letter from normal letters is that you are asking them to
act. Don't just tell them you are doing this, but that you need their help.
Include Fundraising Goal - We recommend letting your donors know how much money you
want to raise. The amount your donors give may depend on the size of your overall goal.
Remember that the $600 is just a starting point. Think big!
Set a Deadline - We give you a deadline for your own fundraising, but we recommend you set a
deadline earlier than that. People are always motivated by deadlines. This way you can assess
your fundraising before the real deadline.
Let Them Know How to Donate - Tell them the procedure for making a donation. If they are
confused, they are not likely to send a donation. Walk them step-by-step through the process and
be sure to ask them if their company participates in a matching gift program. If they do, it’s free
money for you!
Follow Up - Keep a list of all the people you send letters to. You can then compare this list to
your website and you will see who hasn't donated. Be prepared to send out reminders. Your
follow up can be a phone call, postcard or a training update newsletter.
Send a Thank You Card - It is really nice to receive a note that says your donation was
important, not to mention that your donors probably want to know how you did! These are just
suggestions of things we have seen work over the past few years. Of course, the final letter
needs to come from your heart.
For Those That Don’t Respond - There will be some people on your list who are unable or unwilling to
contribute to your request. Try not to take it personally. Perhaps they are having some financial
challenges, unexpected bills, or they support other causes. It is difficult to know why they are unable to
support you. However, some people may be able to make a donation later if you suggest this idea. So
follow-up with everyone. Thank each person for thinking about the request and move on to your next
prospect!
Letter Writing Campaign Project
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TEMPLATE: SIMPLE ASK
Dear________________,
This year, I am teaming up with Free Wheelchair Mission in order to raise funds to
provide wheelchairs to the disabled poor in developing nations around the world.
Transforming lives through the gift of mobility is important to me personally because
_____________. I invite you to be a part of the solution by supporting my effort.
For 100,000,000 disabled people around the world, a wheelchair is beyond their
dreams. For the poor and immobile in developing countries, the simplest daily functions
are a struggle. Many lack the basic mobility needed for a life of dignity and
independence. However, a simple solution is available. Free Wheelchair Mission
manufactures and distributes a sturdy wheelchair designed especially for developing
countries for only $77.91 per chair. Each chair is distributed at no cost to the recipient
and changes a life forever.
I have set a personal goal to raise $__________________. That’s enough to distribute
_______ wheelchairs. With your help, I know I can reach my goal and help Free
Wheelchair Mission provide the transforming gift of mobility to people around the world.
Sincerely,
Your name
To donate online, please visit: Your webpage URL
Make your check out to:
Free Wheelchair Mission
Note – Fundraiser name in the memo line of the check
Mail your donation and an Offline Donation Form to:
Free Wheelchair Mission
Attn. Ariel Rigney
15279 Alton Parkway, Suite 300
Irvine, CA 92618
Letter Writing Campaign Project
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TEMPLATE: MY CHALLENGE
I have decided to take on the challenge of Running for Mobility for Free Wheelchair
Mission. I will be running the Surf City USA marathon on February 1, 2015 in Huntington
Beach, CA. I’m not just running for a medal or a time—I’m running in order to provide
wheelchairs to people in need around the world. My goal is to raise $780. Since each
wheelchair only costs $77.91, that will be enough to personally help 10 individuals by
providing them with a wheelchair that they need.
The need for wheelchairs is huge – over 100 million people around the world need a
wheelchair but don’t have one. Your support will help Free Wheelchair Mission continue
transforming lives around the world, will help motivate me during the race, and help me
reach my fundraising goal!
Thank so much for your support!
Sincerely,
[NAME]
To donate online: [YOUR URL]
To donate via check: Payable to Free Wheelchair Mission, and return to me
To donate via cash: Please return to me
To learn more about the event: WWW.RUNFORMOBILITY.ORG
To learn more about Free Wheelchair Mission: www.freewheelchairmission.org
Letter Writing Campaign Project
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TEMPLATE: ACTIVE LIVING
You know how important sports and fitness are to me. Living a healthy, active lifestyle is
something that is easily taken for granted. I have taken on the challenge of training for
the Surf City USA [MARATHON OR HALF MARATHON]. To make my race more
meaningful, I am raising money for Free Wheelchair Mission—a humanitarian nonprofit
organization that provides wheelchairs to people in need around the world. By providing
a simple wheelchair that only costs $77.91, they are able to transform the lives of
individuals, families, and communities through the gift of mobility.
There are over 100 million people around the world who are disabled and need a
wheelchair, but cannot afford one—especially in developing nations. Not having a
wheelchair means that the individual is unable to attend school, get a job, or participate
in their communities. These people simply need a means to be independent and mobile.
Free Wheelchair Mission has been working for the past 11 years to manufacture, ship,
and deliver specially designed, durable wheelchairs around the world. Still, FWM needs
your help in order to continue their mission.
By donating to my fundraising efforts, you are helping me support FWM and their
mission to change lives, one wheelchair at a time. Together, we can provide the tool
these people need in order to live an independent, productive, and fulfilled lives. Please
become a part of my project by making a donation through my web site link below.
Together, we can give the gift of mobility and lift lives around the world.
Thank you for your support,
Your Name]
To donate online: [YOUR URL]
To donate via check: Payable to Free Wheelchair Mission, and return to me directly
To donate via cash: Please return to me directly
To learn more about the event: WWW.RUNFORMOBILITY.ORG
To learn more about Free Wheelchair Mission: www.freewheelchairmission.org
Letter Writing Campaign Project
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TEMPLATE: SIMPLE THANK YOU
Dear________________,
Thank you so much for supporting my fundraising effort and transforming lives through
the gift of mobility!
Thanks to your generous support, I was able to raise a total of $______: enough to
provide _____ wheelchairs!
Thank you so much for supporting me and _____ people who now have a wheelchair
because of your generosity.
Sincerely,
Your name