Support SafeMinds

Support SafeMinds: Letter Writing Campaign

As you write your letter, make it simple, direct and make sure your personality comes through. Infect others with the joy of making an incredible difference. You will be surprised at how quickly you will see results.

Letter Writing Campaign Tips

Be clear and compelling - Make sure people understand what you are doing and why you need their help. You may want to include the following information in the letter:
Introduction - Tell them what you're doing. Don't be afraid to say that you are raising money for an issue that is very important to you, autism.
Tell them why this issue is so important to you and why it is so important nationally.
Send a photograph of the person you love who has autism.
Make your request - Invite them to get involved by making a donation. Let them know your fundraising goal. Is it $500, $1000, $2,500, $5000 or more! Did you know that the average fundraising letter raises $2,500? People want to support the causes that are personally important to you.
Give them a deadline - Give your recipients a specific date so they know when you need their contribution.
Thank them in advance. Let them know how much you appreciate their support.

Personalize your letter
You may want to have a few versions of your letter - one for those who know you well, another for acquaintances and a third for business contacts. If you are writing to business contacts, let them know if your company is supporting you.

Appeal to the heart - and the head
Use quotes, anecdotes and descriptions that appeal to the emotions, and then reinforce those emotions with facts and statistics about the incidence of autism. Personal experiences are especially meaningful. Don't be afraid to ask for help. You'll be surprised how much some people will want to contribute.

Personalize your envelope
Address your envelopes by hand or run them through your laser printer instead of using labels. Use full return address, so the recipient knows it is personal correspondence.

Make it easy for donors to send money
Clearly state in your letter how to get the donation to you. Tell them that checks should be made payable to Safe Minds. It is especially convenient for your donors if you include a self-addressed stamped envelope for them to send your check.

Have checks sent to you
Your donors should mail their checks directly to you, not to Safe Minds. This is important for two reasons. First, it is easier for you to keep track of your total and who has donated if you receive the check first. Secondly, it is our experience that you receive larger donations if the donor knows that you will personally see their gift before it is given to Safe Minds.

Follow Up
If you haven't heard from people you thought would donate, call them and see if they received your letter, or mention your request when you see them. They may have misplaced the letter or simply not gotten around to sending a check.

Show your gratitude
Everyone likes to know that his or her efforts are appreciated. Make sure to thank your donors with a personal letter and a phone call, if appropriate.