Educational Fundraising • Letter Templates

Example Letter #1

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(Telemarketing Script)

May I speak with (name)?

Hello. My name is (name). The purpose of my call is to invite you and your company to participate in our annual Doe College Scholarship Auction on (date). We will be raising funds for low-income student scholarships.

Are you familiar with the auction?

(YES)

Good. I am hoping you will donate one or more of the hand-held computers your company sells. Your gift is tax deductible, and we will list your company in all of our publicity for the auction.

Would you be able to donate a hand-held computer to help our auction?

(YES)

Thank you so much. Would it be convenient for one of our volunteers to stop by to pick up your gift on Friday?

Thanks again for your help.

(If the answer is NO)

I am sorry if this is an inconvenient time. If you happen to reconsider, please call me at 555-5555. Thanks for your time.

Example Letter #2

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Remember what it was like when you were in college and stepped onto the football field for the first time?

Doe University is still providing these kinds of important firsts to talented young athletes. And we're hoping you'll be willing to help those athletes get off to a good start. We've done everything we can to contain costs without compromising quality. One of those things is to set up a special scholarship fund.

We invite you to contribute generously to our special athletes' fund. Simply complete the enclosed form and send it along with your check. Your donation is tax deductible. And, you'll get a great feeling, knowing you've helped support the future sports stars of Doe University.

Thanks for your help.

Example Letter #3

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We hope you enjoy the enclosed collector's autographed program by John Doe, renowned lecturer and Pulitzer Prize winner. This program, which featured Mr. Doe, was well attended by alumni like your. We hope to bring more informative speakers to campus but it takes special funding.

We're counting on your pledge of $250, and thank you in advance for your generosity.

This lecture program costs the university over ($) per year, so you can see that your donation is most valuable. We thank you again for your pledge and hope you enjoy the autographed program.

Example Letter #4

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Your generous donation will help Doe College step up to the next level in athletics. Because we have been accepted into the East Coast Conference, attendance at games is anticipated to rise dramatically. Simply put, our facilities are woefully inadequate.

Beginning in January, the Alumni Association plans to expand the stadium and improve the playing field, but we can't do it without your help. The budget for these developments is $1.1 million. And the result will be athletic facilities on par with other schools in our Conference.

As you know, athletics not only provide school spirit, they are one of our most visible tools for introducing potential students to Doe College. The spin-off effects of a well-funded athletic program are felt by all departments. By sending in your donation form you will be helping us bring the best students to Doe College and give our campus the beautiful facilities it deserves.

Example Letter #5

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The Doe Alumni Association is pleased to announce an exciting opportunity for graduates of Doe University's Technical College. We invite you to join the Dean's Circle. There, you will associate with other professional alumni as you participate in the progress of Doe University.

Your annual gift of $100 makes you a Dean's Circle member. Your gift supports the Technical College, its scholarship program, its labs, and its constant effort to provide the most up-to-date educational equipment.

As a Dean's Circle member, you will enjoy exclusive events and an invitation to attend our annual awards dinner. You will also receive a copy of Alumni Directory, a guide listing other members and their biographical sketches.

If Doe University is to maintain its prestige in the field of technology, we must work together to improve our facilities and services. By joining the Dean's Circle, the good you will do will be felt for years to come. We at the Technical College thank you. Please call 555-5555 to join.

Example Letter #6

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Perhaps you have heard that the Doe University Administration Building is in urgent need of renovation. This 75-year-old building is the heart of administrative functions: (list importance of the building). The Administrative Building immediately needs overhauls in (list construction needs.)

The Doe University Alumni Association announces the "Renew the Administration Campaign," an alumni fund-raiser designed to raise the $3.2 million needed for renovation. If everyone gives a little we can achieve our objective. We have organized donor categories for your convenience:

* The Green and Gold Club: Those who contribute $25 to $100 receive (describe free gift).

* The (name) Club: Those who contribute $100 to $250 receive (describe premium)

* The (name) Club: Those who contribute $250 to $500 receive (describe premium)

* The President's Circle: Those who contribute $1000 or more receive their name engraved on a plaque in the new building plus two tickets to the annual President's Ball.

Please make your contribution by returning the enclosed form. We thank you for helping renew the Administration Center.

Example Letter #7

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Doe College is proud of its tradition of helping students. This tradition extends back from the 1910 alumni fund-raising effort to build our library to the time when you attended Doe College and helped raise funds for the football facilities. As one of our distinguished Doe alumni, we are asking you now to help sponsor the educational needs of today's students.

Our urgent need is to raise $2 million dollars for the new law wing of our library. The demands on this important program have grown so fast that we must expand in order to remain competitive. To accomplish this we need your help. The enclosed literature gives you more information.

We at Doe College are counting on you. Please contribute by returning your pledge in the enclosed envelope.

Example Letter #8

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Small ripples of water have a way of gathering momentum and eventually becoming great waves. Likewise, your annual gift to Doe Tech, when combined with those of other alumni, has a substantial impact on our ability to offer cutting-edge academic programs.

As dean for College of Arts and Sciences, I have a wonderful opportunity to help keep the college and Doe Tech at the top of the game. It is no mere accident that this institution ranks 20th among the nation's top public universities. We have earned this national recognition by systematically strengthening Doe Tech's academic offerings and granting a highly sought-after credential.

Like small ripples, the strategic decisions regarding funding priorities in each college set into motion waves that eventually touch the lives of our students. Of course, it's your gift to the College Annual Fund that creates the first ripple!

Please send you annual gift to the College of Arts and Sciences.

Example Letter #9

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Our school is in critical need of math books. To date we can only supply one book for each three students. But we have a solution.

Next Monday marks our annual fund raiser and we have decided to dedicate all our efforts to raising money for math books. We have found a terrific project that should provide us with all the money we will need. But In order for this to happen, we need your support.

Today, we sent your child home with an envelope containing six Doe's Pizza Fund-Raising Cards. May we ask you and your child to sell these cards for a $12.00 donation? The best part is, we keep $10.00 for the math books. Please help your child contact your friends, family, and neighbors. Take the cards to work or anyplace else you go.

You'll love the offer that's printed on the cards. (Describe offer and how the school benefits).

With pizza being the number one selling food in America, you can see we'll be able to accomplish our goal in no time.

Please read through the enclosed material that will explain this easy program. We have prizes for the top sellers!

Thanks for your support. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer to help, please feel free to call me anytime.

Example Letter #10

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Each year we focus in on a critical school need for which we need to raise funds. You may know that our computers are old and in disrepair. This year we are raising money for 10 new computers for the library.

The fund raiser we have chosen will easily cover the tab and should provide the money we will need for the rest of the year. But we need everyone's support!

On Monday, your child will come home with an envelope containing six Doe's Pizza Fund-Raising Cards. These cards will be sold for a $12.00 donation, and the best part is, we keep $10.00 or more from every sale! We will also be sending home a Kick-Off Invitation, which will explain this easy program and how we can meet our goal.

The cards come with a great offer. (Describe offer and how the school benefits)

With pizza being a favorite, you can see we shouldn't have any trouble selling the cards and raising money for the computers.

Thanks again for your support. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer to help, please feel free to call me anytime.

Example Letter #11

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Free Stickers That Your Students will Love,

Guaranteed to Motivate, Educate and Reward!

For the past 20 years we have provided stickers to over 8,000 schools. We would like to show you how our stickers can be combined with your lessons to excite your students and provide classroom fun and motivation.

So we are inviting you to sample our stickers Absolutely Free!

Here's what a few Teachers have to say....

(List testimonials)

Here are some of our new designs:

*(List designs)

As a special, one-time offer, we will send you your choice of one pack of any of these new designs when you buy another pack of equal or greater value. Plus, if you decide right now, you'll receive a $25.00 Bonus Pack Free--an assortment of over 300 of our most popular stickers. Act by February 22 and we'll throw in the shipping charge. You can't pass this up!

We can be generous because we know once you experience all the pleasure these stickers will bring to your students, you're going to become a loyal and eager customer (and hopefully you'll tell your friends and colleagues).

One thing I've learned: the only way to build a great business is to over-deliver.

And that's why you also get a 100% Risk-Free, Money Back Guarantee!

Try our stickers. If you are not completely satisfied, you get ALL your money back regardless of how many stickers you return! And the $25.00 Free Bonus Pack is yours to keep no matter what! Is that fair?

That's all there is to it!

The worst that can happen is you come out ahead just for taking a peek. There's absolutely no way you can lose.

You'll discover there's nothing more satisfying than the smiles of students, as you reward and celebrate their success.

Make us prove it!

Order Now. Don't put this off. Try the stickers at our risk, and do yourself and your students a favor today.

P.S. Act before February 22 and the shipping is dropped!

Example Letter #12

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As you know, each year we are in need of additional funds to provide the best possible experience for your children. This year we are raising money for science textbooks.

We have found a fund raiser that should provide us with enough money to purchase each child a textbook. Imagine...only one fund raiser this year!

In order for this to happen we need everyone's support.

On (day) (date) at (time) at (place) we will hold a Kick-Off Rally. During the rally we will go over all the details concerning this fund raiser. We need you and your child to be present, so we can explain what we are going to do, what prizes are available, and how you get your fund raiser materials.

Thanks again for your support. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer to help, please feel free to call me anytime.

Example Letter #13

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Hello! My name is Jane Doe. On June 15, I will have the opportunity to participate in a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The freshman American History classes will be taking a bus tour of the Deep South to retrace the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s. In 10 days, 35 students will travel to many key cities that were pivotal in this social awakening, including Birmingham, Alabama; Jackson, Mississippi; and Memphis, Tennessee. This will be a real learning experience for all of us.

On this tour, we will be able to meet a few important leaders who played key roles in fighting for the civil rights of every member of the black community. Some of the speakers we will hear are true American heroes. These leaders will include Congressman John Lewis from Georgia, arrested over 40 times for his valiant efforts, and one of the "Little Rock 9," Minnijean Brown Trickey. These leaders will speak to us about tolerance, non-violence, courage, compassion, forgiveness, and civic responsibility.

The cost of this trip is $550.00 for each student. I'm sure this is an excellent value, but it is too much for my family's budget. This is why I am writing to you. I believe you are the kind of person who would be willing to share your blessings and help me go on this trip. Students who are in need are asking for donations of at least $50.00 to help cover such expenses as bus fair, food, and lodging. If you are willing to help me, I want you to know that your gift is tax deductible.

The main reason I want "and need" to go on this trip is to get in touch with the historical events that led to the many rights and benefits I enjoy today. I also want to learn about all that my great grandparents suffered to enrich the quality of life for the generations that followed them.

I hope that you will fill out the sponsor pledge form that I have included and write your check out today to "Rediscovering the Civil Rights Movement." Send your check and the pledge form to my college in the enclosed envelope. Please remember to add a stamp.

Thank you so much for helping me! When I return, I will be happy to send you a picture of me and my classmates while we were enjoying this great learning experience. On page 2, you can see an itinerary of our trip. I hope you will read it and be able to share some of my anticipation and excitement. We need to finalize our budget by May 31st, so please respond today!

May God bless you!

P.S. If you can't send us $50.00, could you please send us $25.00 or whatever you can afford?

Sponsor Pledge Form

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My pledge is for $_________. I am enclosing my contribution now.