Donation Request Letter for Cancer Patient: a fundraising technique written to specific donors seeking help raise funds for different causes.
An individual or a nonprofit organization aiming to compose a donation request letter that effectively attracts positive responses from donors must take note of several key factors, ranging from the target audience, timing, purpose, and choice of language. Writing comes so hard to some people, I get that, and that’s why I’m going to be breaking it all down here, with samples. Because the truth is, there are charitable humans out there ready to offer their supports and help to those who need it; you need to put a little effort into convincing them to donate.
What this post will cover
- What is a donation request letter?
- Why write an appeal for donation?
- How to write a donation request letter for a cancer patient: key steps
- Sample letter asking for donations for cancer patient
What is a donation request letter?
A donation is widely defined as a voluntary gift (in-kind or monetary) or contribution to a specific cause. A donation request letter is a fundraising technique. It’s formally written either to a specific donor or too many donors by individuals, businesses, schools, and nonprofit organizations seeking help raise funds for their different causes. Donation request letters are meant to be as legible, simple, and succinct as possible. It is somewhat similar in form to the typical formal letters of employment, resignation, and all of that, but differs greatly in purpose and manner of approach. A typical effective donation request letter may contain additional information such as pamphlets, a summary of the problems, and booklets.
Why write an appeal for donation?
I mentioned earlier that sending donation request letters is a technique of fundraising. For nonprofit institutions, donation letters are their major go-to when sourcing support from prospective donors. Aside from the nonprofits, individuals, members of a family, spouses, and friends are wont to write donation letters seeking help on behalf of their loved ones who are confined to their home or bed because of sickness, disability, or injury, and too sick to care and carter for themselves. In a nutshell, a donation request letter is just another #gofundme. So people appeal for donations simply because they need support (in-kind and/or monetary) to keep on.
How to write a donation request letter for cancer patient: key steps
So you’ve figured you need support after all, or that someone dear to you needs financial support to scale through the dark tunnel which is cancer, or that your nonprofit needs funding to keep on with the good works you are doing for cancer patients, and you’re now ready to write that donation request letter to get donors looking out for you, well, let’s walk you through the processes. It is simpler than it appears, really. Here are the salient points to be mindful of when composing a donation request letter.
- Who are you writing to? Your target audience, whether individual or corporate bodies, has a long way in deciding who you address your letter to and how personalized it should be, and when it is the right time to send in your letter.
- Optimal timing — having identified your audience, you should run a quick research and track them at the right time and through the mode of communication that works well with them. You don’t want your letter arriving when your recipient has one foot in and the other foot out the door. They may promise to get back to it later, but chances are they may get caught up with things and not remember, unless you are prepared to send follow-ups. Also, research has shown that people are most likely to offer supports and make solicited and unsolicited donations towards the end of the year, say November and December, more than they would at the beginning or middle of the year.
- Emotional appeal — for a case of sickness, such as cancer, you have to appeal to the recipient’s empathy or sympathy. Hold their attentions with straightforward statements of what your nonprofit has been doing for cancer patients, and how most of them have lost faith and hope, but survived and reunited with their loved ones through your works. Use stories that are emotional and that will tug at their deepest consciousness.
- Opt for a conversational language — do away with jargons and verbose words that may require your reader referring to the dictionary every one to two words. If it bores them, they won’t read it. Choose simple words and simple expressions that capture the depth of what you are saying.
- Contents of the letter — include, as header, your name and branded logo if you are a nonprofit organization. If you are writing as an individual without a brand, you can include the basics: your name and contact information such as your email, telephone number, social media handles and physical address. In addition to these, the charity organization should add their website, and add, as footer, branded logos of their partners, if any.
- Salutation — use your typical formal letter salutations like Dear Ma. or Dear Sir. What is more encouraged is that you personalize the salutation by addressing the prospective donors by their names, “Dear Gluck or Dear Portia” or “Dear Mr. Bond.” You may even want to be a bit informal depending on who the recipient is, “Hi Janet.”
- Body of the letter — begin by acknowledging the importance of donor or recipient, and thank them for their previous donations if any. Then emphasize the importance of your project and mission, and list the problems your nonprofit has set out to address this time and be sure to explain to them how you strongly believe that their specific donations will go a long way in contributing to your cause to help a particular cancer patient get adequate treatment, therapy, surgery and other warmly supports. End the letter by thanking the recipients for their time and consideration. Let them know you’re looking forward to hearing from them soon. Then your closing salutation, signature and name.
Sample letter asking for donations for cancer patient
Your letterhead, assuming you have one.
or
[your home address]
[Post Office address]
[City, ST Zip Code)
[Date]
[Recipient Name] Prof. Rachel
[Title] Coordinator of Postgraduate Studies
[Company Name] Harvard University
[Salutation] Dear Prof. Rachel,
[Title] Donation Request Letter for Cancer Patient
[Be concise and choose your words with utmost carefulness]. It is with a hopeful heart that I write to request your donation for the treatment of my mother-in-law who is forty-five years old and was diagnosed with stage 3 (advanced stage of mesothelioma) cancer four months ago. She has since been admitted to the hospital, and my husband and I have been taking care of her. But right now we have spent all we have and the Doctor advised a longer treatment. We have two kids in High school and can barely afford to pay their school fees anymore. We have sold most of our properties, including our cars, and still, it goes without saying that we are still financially bombed.
Ma, I have seen and sometimes ago benefited from your philanthropy as your student. I have also been following what your NGO has been doing for women struggling with cancer in the USA, Africa, and other parts of the world. I am strongly convinced that you will come to our aid and help my mother-in-law kick back to life. She has her life all planned and dreamed of driving his grandson Danez (our son) to the prom.
Please find attached her medical certificates, hospital bills, and doctors’ reports collected as a pamphlet. I look forward to your positive response. Thank you.
Yours Sincerely,
[sign]
Katie Smith
[Include your email address].