Fundraising or fund raising (also known as “development“) is the practice of gathering voluntary donations of money or other resources by requesting contributions from individuals, businesses, charitable foundations, or governmental agencies. Even though fundraising normally refers to efforts to gather money for non-profit organizations, it is sometimes used to refer to the classification and solicitation of investors or other sources of capital for for-profit enterprise.
Conventionally, fundraising consisted mostly of asking for donations on the street or at people’s doors, and this is experiencing very rapid growth in the form of face-to-face fundraising but innovative forms of fundraising, such as online fundraising, have surfaced in recent years, though these are often based on former methods such as grassroots fundraising. In recent days many events are organized in order to collect funds by many non-profit organizations.
Equally important are fundraising efforts by virtually all recognized religious groups throughout the world. These efforts are organized on a local, national, and global level. Sometimes, these funds will go exclusively toward assisting the basic needs of others. Fund raising can be done for several purposes such as for providing help to the needy, raising funds by the non-profit organization and many more.
The Invitation letters generally notify the guests about these events so that they give their valuable presence and help the host to raise their funds. The letter must clearly state the venue and the date of the event and the reason for which the event is being organized.
The fund-raising letter must clearly contain the following;
- The letter must clearly mention the date, venue and the timings of the event.
- The reason for organizing the fundraising event must also be mentioned in the letter.
- The letter must have a very humble and polite tone so that the guest feels important to become a part of the event.
- The letter must ask for the guest to give a reply whether he/she is attending the event organized.
- Respect and recognize the person by his contribution.
- Tell him how important he is to you or organization.
- Make it clear the importance of the particular venture.
- Note down why such an event is going to make a mark in the area.
- How important it is to organize such functions.
- Who all are the participants in it and what is the end focus of such an event.
It is also important to send the invitation out in a timely manner. This means at least six to eight weeks before the event. This gives the guests time to respond and plan accordingly.
Some other things to consider when writing an invitation are:
- Theme: Decide on a theme and integrate it into the invitation. Such as, if the event is a tennis outing, use a tennis theme for the invitation.
- Be exceptional: If there is something unique to your event, list it in the invitation to attract guests. For example, a silent or live auction can be mentioned or if there is special entertainment.
- RSVP: Always include a response card for guests to send back. The card should have a place to write the guest’s name along with any form of payment if needed.
Remember that the invitation is often the most important thing that guests will see to alert them of your event. Be sure to take time to cautiously choose the invitation and word it in a comprehensible manner that gives guests details on what to anticipate. When producing invitations for a fundraiser always bear in mind the manner you want set for your event and reflect that in your wording. Be as inventive as you like to entice guests to attend your fundraising event and to support your cause.
#First sample
From,
__________
__________
__________
__________
Date: _____ (Date on Which Letter is Written)
To,
__________
__________
__________
__________
Subject – _______________________(Mention the objective)
Respected _______(Name of the donor)
I am _____ (Your Name) working as a part of the _________ (project name) for the purpose of constructing a learning institution in order to ensure that the underprivileged children in _________(mention location) are given an opportunity to read and write and to live to their fullest potential. We took this initiative as a part of the numerous programmes that we have already sponsored to the society in many areas. In this content I would kindly request your presence as our chief guest on this noble occasion. We strongly desire your gracious and unreserved support for its thriving completion.
Thanking you.
Sincerely,
Name and signature
#Second sample
From,
__________
__________
__________
__________
Date: _____ (Date on Which Letter is Written)
To,
__________
__________
__________
__________
Subject: Invitation Letter for Fundraising
Dear _____ (name of the guest you intend to invite)
We are very much honored to invite you to our fundraiser which is organized in order to _____ (reason of the fundraising event). You support and help is the only thing that can make this event a great success.
The event will be organized on ____ (date of the event) and the timings will be from ____ (timing of the event). We request the pleasure of you presence at _____ (venue of the event) and your contributions to our initiative.
We would love to have you present in this event because this event cannot be possible without your help.
Thanking You,
Yours Truly
Name and Signature
