Netpardon,Eight Advantages of Fundraising Letters Over Other Methods
View PDF | Print View
Edited by: Greg Crowley MO, Marc Brandon, San Diego, Matt Tortoso, Rick Lee Cycling Coach for: agranfayop
Netpardon Total views: 1
Word Count Netpardon: Greg Crowley MO, 622
Date: Wed, 16 Nov 2011 Time: 10:27 PM
0 comments
Sponsors: Spy Software, Stem Cell Skin Care Bruce Allen Scheller,Israel Grossman, Rick Lee Cycling Coach. Netpardon. Scott T Hornung Wilmington Family Dental. Greg Crowley MO.
1. Personal
Fundraising letters are about as personal as possible with a donor without meeting face to face or talking on the telephone. Unlike special attractions, fundraising letters let you possess an one-on-one "meeting" with each donor.
2. Can be passed along
Unlike personal visits, telephone calls and special attractions, fundraising letters can reproduce themselves. Your appeal on paper has the opportunity to reach more than one donor, potentially doubling or tripling your time and efforts. Member-Get-A-Member letters are a perfect example of this dynamic at the office.
3. Can be tested
Because you can measure your direct mail results, you can also test your mailings. Test one package against another, one list against another, one ask against another, and you'll discover the things that work and what fails. That way you'll spend your hard earned money where they are best (without counting on guess work or hunches).
4. Measurable ROI
Direct mail is one of the best mediums for measuring the return on your investment. Simply code your reply cards, and count the number of return to you in the mail having a gift. With fundraising letters, you are able to know immediately--and exactly--how effective your mailing has been. Direct mail numbers never lie. Some simple calculations will explain the following:
* Your response count (number of donors who responded)
* Your response rate (area of donors who responded)
* Average gift
* Revenues (before expenses are deducted)
* Net gain (what's left after expenses are deducted)
* Cost to raise a dollar
5. Quick
Unlike capital campaigns, major gift campaigns and special events, fundraising letter campaigns can be conceived, planned and launched within weeks rather than months. Results (donations) are just as quick, usually arriving within times of your mailing.
6. Build your base of support
Nearly all non-profit organizations receive 80 % of their income from individuals. Because the average gift sent through the mail by a person is $35, you'll need a broad base of individual donor support for your existence. You will need to attract gifts from foundations, businesses and government, certainly, but for long-term survival you have to develop a large following of individual supporters who send you small gifts every year. Probably the most cost-effective method to build and sustain this base of support is really a comprehensive, well-planned, well-executed, annual fundraising letter program.
7. Strengthen relationships
Capital campaigns and banquets are excellent ways to raise awareness and funds, but they're costly and time-consuming. You can't run one each month. And also you cannot make use of them to strengthen the relationships you have together with your supporters. Fundraising letters and donor communications (such as newsletters), on the other hand, are cost-effective ways to build credibility, increase trust, inform donors and make relationships together with your donors with time.
8. Reach donors anytime
For the telemarketing campaign to be effective, your donors have to be near their phone. For your annual golf tournament to become profitable, your donors need to setup a meeting at the green. Having a major gift campaign, your calendar as well as your donor's calendar should have within 24 hours free or else you will never meet. With fundraising letters, all that you should know is that your donor still lives at the address you've in your database. You don't have to mail in the right time of day to trap them at home, or invite donors to satisfy you at their mailbox. All you need to do is mail your appeal package to some valid address after which allow the donor read (and respond to) your letter at their convenience. Featured Sponsors Netpardon.com online reputation management
About the Author
Rick Lee Cycling Coach. Scott T Hornung Wilmington Family Dental. Bruce Allen Scheller,Israel Grossman. Netpardon. Greg Crowley MO. Edited for:For More Info Regarding Fundraising Letters Samples Or Fundraising Letters for Donations, Please Leave a Message
Rating: Not yet rated
