Asking for Money from Organizations and Private Donors

Asking for Sponsors by Letter

One of the easiest ways to ask for money is to send a letter. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the least successful. The letter requests funds or a meeting to discuss the opportunity. Each letter you write should:

• Be addressed to an individual (preferably one you have a connection with or has a history of supporting similar causes)
• Mention a personal or connecting factor (“I am writing to you because our mutual friend Bob Cole recently said you were an art collector”)
• Clearly and concisely state the project
• Include a call for action (a meeting or donation)
• Include accurate contact information for you or the project coordina- tor. The contact information should be with an account that is regularly monitored.
•  Include a date when you will follow up About five to seven days after you send the letter, you will need to call to follow up. This call is not about asking for the money, it is about touching base and ensuring the person received the package and that they know that you are eager to talk about the project.