The funding letter PS: 25 things to say there is powerful (includes examples and samples)

By: Alan Sharpe

Donors read postscripts. It is a sad reality, but infundraising important. Sad because the PS is stupid and belongs to anothermillennium. In this era of word processing, it is no longer Adda PS. But important because a donor reading a PS is adonor looking information. And this is your chance.

According to direct mail consultant Allyn Kramer, there are five "hot spots" in your mailings where readers lookfirst. Here they are, in order:

1. outer
2. Headline Brochure
3. Insideaddress (the letter that goes)
4. Signature line (which is the letter of)
5. Postscript

Since PS is a part of your letter that you can beconfident your donors will read, you must write somethingthere that will motivate your donor to send you a gift or takeyour desired action. Here are some ideas.

Re-phrase your request for a new way thedeadline Reiterate the gift of the member, if a donor Pointthe your website to a donor donationInvite online refer a friend who can support YourOrganization invite donors to fill the card and envelope enclosedreply remind donors that their tax deductible giftsare invite donors to join yourmonthly Repeat donation program file for your support of the INA in a fresh and include a brief cautionary tale thatdemonstrates this gift to your partner will hold a donors immediatedifference Invite them to improve their giftOffer a free guide to writing a will or bequest toyour organization, sent to all those who send the attention of a reader Drawyour gifts to an item in your brochurethat attached shows your current needs and promotes a decline in demand giftBreak in daily quantities ("Your gift of 15works to 50 pence per day") invite their readers Tövis your website to complete a questionnaire (and ask for it giftagain) Write your phone number or e-mail addressand invite donors to contact you for any questionsExplain what happens if you do not receive sufficientfunding (without spreading fear and without making your donorfeel guilty) Thank your members for their ongoingsupport Add a note personal about why you are sopassionate on this particular request - and why you need donorto send a donation today to remind the member about thefreemium you attached mailing labels (for example) Re-Statement of size of gift you requestingExplain that supporters can donate by credit card theircredit remind donors of your goal for thiscampaign If you are in your campaign, telldonors how close you are to reaching your goal - their gift RightNow you will more Tell the donor how close muchtheir continued support means to you personally Nameone the people of your donation will help donors (likeSamantha Children need your help. And so are we. ")

2005 Sharpe Copy Inc. You may reprint this article online and in print provided the links remain live andthe content remains unchanged (including the "About the Author" message).

About the author

Alan Sharpe is a business-to-business direct mail editor. Sign up for free weekly tips like this to www.sharpecopy.com.