Fundraising is a highly competitive realm in the nonprofit world. It’s just as competitive to write a successful fundraising email as it is to raise money. With limited time and resources, emails like these are often where nonprofits find their most successful fundraising tactics. Here are some tips for writing a successful fundraising email.
• Get your request across within the first few lines
• Provide specific details about your organization
• Use personal stories and testimonials
• Build urgency through scarcity tactics.
Introduction to Successful Fundraising Emails
Fundraising emails are often the most successful method for raising money. With limited time and resources, emails like these are often where nonprofits find their most successful fundraising tactics. Here are some tips for writing a successful fundraising email:
• Get your request across within the first few lines
• Provide specific details about your organization
• Use personal stories and testimonials
• Build urgency through scarcity tactics.
The Three-Act Structure
The three-act structure is a common format used in screenwriting and filmmaking to identify the rising action, climax, and falling action in a story.
It’s also used for fundraising emails for nonprofits. It can be helpful to remember that your email is broken down into sections.
The first act is the opening where you get your request across.
The second act is where you introduce yourself and your organization.
The third act is where you share personal stories about what your organization does for people.
The Body of Your Email Subject line:
The Subject Line is the most important part of your email. It’s what will make your prospect open it and read it. It should be concise, but a compelling statement about the email that will entice them to read it.
Body of Email:
The body of your email is the meat of your message. This is where you get down to brass tacks and talk about what you’re offering and why it matters to the recipient. Let us know exactly what you’re asking for, why people should give, and how they can help.
Body of fundraising email sample:
Hi James,
I hope this letter finds you well! I wanted to reach out because we have a serious need in our community — one that can only be met through an investment like yours. Every month, we provide free classes to over 60 children in our Northside neighborhood who are at risk for academic failure due to their economic situation or lack of parental involvement in their education.
We need $1000 this month to cover costs associated with these classes. We’ve been able to bring the project close enough to completion but need that last push from those who share our values so that we can create meaningful change
The Call-to-Action.
The Call-to-Action is the most important part of any fundraising email. It’s what makes your supporters take action, whether that’s donating or following up with you for more information. Your Call-to-Action should be specific, yet open-ended enough to resonate with a wide range of supporters.
To keep your audience engaged and motivated, use personal stories and testimonials throughout your email. This will help build urgency and show a personal connection between the reader and your organization.
Here are some examples of effective Call-to-Action statements:
• “I’m asking for $5 today to support our work.”
• “We need $10 right now and we can’t wait.”
• “We’re so close to our goal! Will you help us reach it?”
Fundraising Email Sample
Subject Line:
“Please help me raise $1,000 by tomorrow”
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
I’m writing to ask for your help. We need to raise $1,000 by tomorrow morning. Can you please contribute? Your support is what helps us provide our services to people who need them most.
We have provided contact information below for your convenience. Thank you for your time and consideration!
Sincerely,
Caroline
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