Are you tired of sending out fundraising emails and not receiving any response? Maybe it’s time to revisit your strategy and consider following up with potential donors. A well-crafted fundraising follow-up email can make all the difference. Luckily, you don’t have to start from scratch. You can find countless examples of fundraising follow-up email samples online and tailor them to your organization’s needs. In this article, we’ll provide you with tips and samples to make your fundraising follow-up emails more effective. Whether you’re a seasoned fundraiser or new to the game, you’ll find useful information here to help you achieve better results. So, let’s get started!
The Ultimate Fundraising Follow-up Email Structure
So, you’ve sent out your fundraising email to potential donors, and now it’s time for the follow-up. The key to a successful follow-up email is to strike the right balance between being courteous and polite, while also being effective and persuasive. Here’s the ultimate structure for a fundraising follow-up email:
1. Start with a Thank You
The first thing you should do is start with a thank you. Thank the potential donor for taking the time to read your initial email and considering your cause. Show your appreciation for their interest in supporting your organization.
2. Recap Your Initial Email
Next, start to recap your initial email, reminding the potential donor of your cause and why it’s important. This helps to refresh their memory and bring them back to the initial conversation, laying the groundwork for the next part of your email.
3. Share Your Progress
Now that you’ve refreshed their memory, it’s the perfect time to share any progress you’ve made since your initial email. Have you received any donations? Has your campaign gained any traction? Sharing your progress helps the donor to see that their donation will make a difference and gives them a reason to contribute.
4. Make a Strong Request for Support
Now that you’ve primed the donor, it’s time to make a strong request for support. Be clear about your needs and goals, and explain how their donation will make a difference. Use data and stories to show the impact of their contribution, and make it easy for them to donate by including a link to your donation page.
5. Close with Another Thank You
Finally, close the email with another thank you. Express gratitude for their consideration and support, and let them know that you appreciate their willingness to help your cause. This emphasis on gratitude helps to nurture the relationship between you and your donor, strengthening the connection and encouraging future donations.
By following this structure for your follow-up fundraising email, you’ll increase the chances of a successful donation. Remember to keep your language friendly, polite, and persuasive, and always express gratitude for their consideration. Good luck with your fundraising efforts!
Fundraising Follow-up Email Samples
Thank You for Your Donation
Dear [Donor’s Name],
I hope this email finds you well. I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt thanks for your generous donation to our fundraiser. Your contribution truly made a difference in our efforts to [insert the specific cause here]. We deeply appreciate your support and belief in our mission.
With your help, we can continue to make a positive impact in our community. Please stay in touch and keep an eye out for updates on our progress. Once again, thank you for your kindness and support.
Warm regards,
[Your Name]
Follow-up on Unfulfilled Pledge
Dear [Donor’s Name],
I hope you’re doing well. I wanted to touch base and follow-up on the pledge you made during our fundraiser for [insert specific cause here]. Unfortunately, we haven’t received the pledged amount yet.
We understand that situations may arise that prevent you from fulfilling the commitment made, and we would like to know if there’s anything we can do to help. We value your support and believe that together, we can make a difference in the lives of those in need.
If there are any difficulties in fulfilling the pledge, please let us know. Otherwise, we would appreciate it if you could follow through on your pledge as soon as possible, and help us achieve our goal.
Sincerely yours,
[Your Name]
Invitation for Sponsorship
Dear [Potential Sponsor’s Name],
I hope this email finds you well. I’m writing to extend an invitation for sponsorship of our upcoming fundraiser for [insert specific cause here]. We believe that partnering with your organization could make a significant difference in our efforts to make an impact in the community.
As a sponsor, you’ll be able to [insert benefits or branding opportunities here]. Your support would truly make a difference in our mission to [insert the specific objective of the fundraiser here].
We’re confident that this event would be a great opportunity for you to align with a worthy cause and showcase your commitment to social responsibility. Thank you for considering this opportunity, and we would be happy to discuss further details at your convenience.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Update on Fundraiser Progress
Dear [Donor’s Name],
I hope this email finds you well. I wanted to take a moment to update you on our fundraiser progress for [insert specific cause here]. Thanks to the generous contributions of individuals like you, we’ve made [insert the specific amount or goal achieved] so far.
We’re proud to share that our efforts are making a difference in the community, and we couldn’t have done it without your support. We’re continuing to work hard towards our goal and would be grateful for any contribution that you’d be willing to make.
Please stay in touch and keep an eye out for further updates on our progress. Once again, thank you for your generosity and belief in our mission.
Kind regards,
[Your Name]
Request for Volunteer Participation
Dear [Potential Volunteer’s Name],
I hope this email finds you well. We’re writing to request your participation as a volunteer for our upcoming fundraiser for [insert specific cause here]. Your support as a volunteer would be invaluable in helping us achieve our fundraising goals.
As a volunteer, you could help us with [insert specific tasks or roles]. We believe that your time and effort could make an enormous difference in our efforts to make a positive impact in the community.
Please let us know if you’d be interested in volunteering and which role you’d like to take on. We appreciate your willingness to help and look forward to hearing back from you soon.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Offering Donation Opportunity
Dear [Potential Donor’s Name],
I hope you’re doing well. We’re reaching out to offer a donation opportunity for our fundraiser for [insert specific cause here]. Your support could help us achieve our mission and make a positive impact in the community.
Any contribution you’d be able to make would be greatly appreciated. We believe that together, we can make a difference in the lives of those in need. We’re confident that your contribution would be put to use in a meaningful way.
Thank you for considering this opportunity, and we would be happy to discuss further details at your convenience.
Sincerely yours,
[Your Name]
Apology for Technical Glitch
Dear [Donor’s Name],
I hope this email finds you well. I’m writing to apologize for the technical glitch that occurred while you were trying to make a donation to our fundraiser for [insert the specific cause here]. We understand how frustrating this must have been, and we want you to know that we’re working hard to resolve the issue.
We value your support and believe that every contribution counts towards making a meaningful impact in the community. We would appreciate it if you could try again to make the donation, and please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you face any further difficulties.
Thank you for your patience and understanding. We’re truly grateful for your generosity and belief in our mission.
Warm regards,
[Your Name]
Related Tips for Fundraising Follow-Up Email Sample
Following up with donors is crucial to any successful fundraising campaign. Here are some related tips to help you create an effective follow-up email sample:
- Personalize your email – Address the donor by their name and reference their previous gift or involvement in your organization. This shows that you value their support and are paying attention to their contributions.
- Express Gratitude – Start your email with a message of appreciation for the donor’s past support. Reinforce the impact their contribution has had on your organization and your beneficiaries.
- Be Clear – Clearly state the purpose of your email. Let the donor know what the follow-up is regarding and what you hope to achieve with their continued support.
- Offer Updates – Update the donor on the progress of your campaign or any developments since their last contribution. Share success stories, statistics, and testimonials to reinforce the importance of their involvement.
- Keep it Short – Keep your email concise and to the point. Avoid overly long paragraphs and stick to the essential information.
- Include a Call-to-Action – Encourage the donor to take action and get involved. Let them know how they can help, whether it’s through a financial contribution, volunteering, or sharing your organization’s message with others.
- Close with Thanks – Finish your email with another message of gratitude for their continued support and contributions to your cause.
By incorporating these related tips into your fundraising follow-up email sample, you can create a compelling message that inspires donors to continue their support.
Fundraising Follow-up Email Sample FAQs
What should be the subject line of a fundraising follow-up email?
The subject line should be personalized and catchy. It should clearly state the purpose of the email and the urgency of donating. For example, “Your Help is Needed: Support Our Cause Today!”.
When should I send a fundraising follow-up email?
You should send a follow-up email a few days after the initial donation request. If the donor has not responded after a week, you can send a gentle reminder email. Avoid sending too many follow-up emails as it can annoy the donors.
What should be the tone of a fundraising follow-up email?
The tone should be friendly, respectful, and appreciative. Start with thanking the donor for their support and then highlight the impact their donation can make. Keep the language simple and avoid using jargon or technical terms.
How can I make my fundraising follow-up email more effective?
You can make your email more effective by including a compelling story or video that shows the impact of your organization. Use attractive visuals, infographics, and calls-to-action that make it easy for the donor to contribute. Make sure the email is easy to read and mobile-friendly.
How can I personalize my fundraising follow-up email?
You can personalize your email by addressing the donor by their name and referencing their past donations or involvement with your organization. You can also segment your email list based on their interests or donation history and tailor the content accordingly.
What should I do if I don’t get a response to my follow-up email?
If you don’t get a response to your follow-up email, then try some other methods of communication such as a phone call or social media message. You can also send a final email thanking the donor for considering your request and letting them know that they can reach out to you if they have any questions or concerns.
How can I show appreciation to my donors after they have donated?
You can show appreciation to your donors by sending a personalized thank-you email or card. Highlight the impact of their donation and include a social media shoutout or recognition on your website. Keep them updated on the progress of your organization and let them know how their donation is making a difference.
Wrapping Up!
And that’s a wrap! I hope these fundraising follow-up email samples help make your next fundraising campaign a success. Remember, personalization is key, and don’t be afraid to follow up more than once. Your donors are busy people too, and sometimes a gentle reminder is all it takes. Thanks for taking the time to read my article, and I hope you visit again soon for more tips on fundraising and nonprofit management. Have a great day!