8-Step Annual Fundraising Appeal Self-Test – Part 1
I never begin writing a fundraising appeal without beginning with a template and checklist. It’s always good to remind yourself of the fundamentals.
1. YOU
“The most beautiful thing in the world is you.”
— Alvin Ailey, choreographer and dancer, (1931-1989)
This gets to who you’re writing to. Not to yourself, program staff. or board of directors. You’re writing to ONE donor. It’s about their ego, not yours. Their needs, not yours.
Take a good hard look at your letter. How often do you use “I,” “my,” “our,” “we,” or the name of your organization vs. “you” and “your?”
Fix this! Here’s a “you test” you can use from Bloomerang.
Here’s a “don’t” example:
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