4 Steps To Writing a Successful Fundraising Email

Some of the most incredible people raising money for projects on GlobalGiving don’t work for nonprofits. They’re people like you and me who are passionate about a cause and choose to raise money on behalf of an organization from their friends and family. GlobalGiving makes this possible with a feature we call the fundraiser tool.

Find out how one woman raised her own life event to raise funds for Kupona Foundation

Find out how one woman shared her story to raise funds for Kupona Foundation

As a former collegiate dance marathon fundraiser: I get it. Asking people to give to your fundraiser can be intimidating. However, reaching out to friends and family is one of the best ways to garner support for a cause that’s important to you! Starting out by asking your “inner circle” of close friends and family will help build momentum toward your fundraising goal.

One of my favorite ways to get started is to look at other successful fundraisers for inspiration! Check out Alison’s fundraising page that raised an incredible $2,474 for the Kupona Foundation. Let’s break down the email that helped her quadruple her goal:

1. Start with your connection to the cause. Odds are the people you are reaching out to care about YOU. Your personal connection is what will drive them to give. Providing your supporters with the story behind what motivated you to start fundraising will help motivate them to give to your fundraiser. Let’s begin with Alison’s awesome email opener:

Dear friends and family,

On July 22, 2013 I went into labor, never guessing it would be 5 days/6 nights until I delivered my baby girl! But not for a second did I worry about access to medical help if I needed it. One year later, I can’t help but think of other moms—those with high-risk pregnancies—who don’t have access to the life-saving care they need…

2. Introduce the project or organizationOn GlobalGiving, all projects already have descriptions of what they aim to accomplish. Take advantage of the information at your fingertips! Help your supporters understand the earth-changing work of the project you’re looking to support:

Tanzania is one of the most dangerous places in the world to give birth. The goal of the Make Motherhood Safe for Tanzanian Women project on GlobalGiving is to provide a safe space for women in Tanzania to give birth. Thousands of women do not have access to the quality care that they need and the Kupona Foundation is committed to changing that.

3. Demonstrate the potential impact. Let your supporters know how their donation will make an impact. The easier is it for your friends and family to see how their support will make a tangible difference, the more compelled they will be to give.

Your donation can make the difference in the life of a mother and her baby. Did you know that for just $10 the Kupona Foundation can provide an ultrasound for woman with a high-risk pregnancy in Tanzania?

4. Ask them to give. Be as clear as possible about what you are asking for: their financial support. Use one sentence to make a powerful, straightforward message to ask your friends and family to join you in supporting the cause. Always be sure to link it back to your page!

Join me by donating $1 for every hour you (or a loved one) were in labor. Motherhood comes in all shapes and sizes, but one thing we have in common is that most of us have access to emergency medical help if we need it during pregnancy and parenthood. Let’s make sure other moms and babies do too.

There isn’t just one perfect formula to ask people to donate to your fundraiser. But if you need a place to start, try describing your connection to the cause, introducing the project or organization that’s making a difference, sharing about the potential impact of a gift, and making a specific ask.  Chances are, you’ll be surprised to see how your community will respond!

This is part one of a five-part series of tips, tricks, and tools to help GlobalGivers make the biggest impact possible with their fundraiser page.

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