How to Write a Fundraising Letter for an Ill Person? – 13 STEPS to DRIVE MORE FUNDS

Ankita Kamat

“How to write a fundraising letter for an ill person?” – Well, if you are thinking about raising funds for a sick person, you should follow some ways to write a compelling letter.

The first thing that you should consider is a genuine reason. If you are writing a fundraising letter then you should really have a genuine reason to raise funds.

Now I assume that you have a valid reason and let me elaborate on some steps that you should follow while writing a letter.

How to Write a Fundraising Letter for a Sick Person?

How to Write a Fundraising Letter for an Ill Person?

When it comes to writing a fundraising letter for an ill person, the letter should have a perfect balance of ethics, emotions and logic. If you can add these 3 things in your letter, your letter will be compelling.

13 Steps to Write a Fundraising Letter for an Ill Person to DRIVE MORE FUNDS

Never miss these 13 crucial steps. You can quickly raise more funds for a sick person if you follow these steps while writing a letter.

1. Write the First Name to ADDRESS THE DONOR Properly

Always address the person to whom you are writing a letter. Do not use just common words like ‘greetings’. Your letter should make a connect with a donor.

So, address his or her at the beginning of your letter in a good way. For example, ‘Dear Maria,’. And you can even write as ‘Dear Friend’ if you don’t know the name of the person.

2. PERSONALISE Your Letter instead of Sending the Same Common Fundraising Letter

It’s always good to add personalization to your letter. Do not send a common letter to all the people to raise funds. Take some time to write personalized letters.

And make use of ‘you’ or ‘I’ in the letter wherever necessary rather than using ‘we’ and ‘you’ (collectively). The letter should bring a feel to the reader as – ‘this letter is written specifically for me’.

3. THANK the person/organization for PREVIOUS FINANCIAL HELP

If you know the donor for a long time and have taken financial help earlier as well, thank the person. Gratitude should be expressed in the letter for sending money previously.

And thank him or her not just for formality but feel real gratitude while writing the letter.

4. Write the REAL STORY of an ill person with all honesty

Now talk about the current situation and about the ill person for whom you are raising funds. You should know the real story of that ill person so that you can tell the real story through your letter.

Write a story of a person who needed financial help right now. It’s important to write a touching letter. That means, the recipient should feel the words. That is why adding emotions in a letter is important.

5. Define the genuine FINANCIAL PROBLEM of an ill person

As you are expecting financial support from a person. You should define the financial problem of an ill person. Write everything clearly.

Let the donor know about the financial situation of an ill person. When you explain the problem the donor will be able to understand the exact situation.

6. Write a letter in a CONVERSATIONAL TONE

It’s talking or writing, the tone is very important. And if you are writing then tone becomes even more important because you should express everything in written form. Make sure you always use a conversational tone while writing a letter to raise funds.

Imagine that the person is sitting in front of you and you are talking with him. You are convincing him to donate funds. So, while writing a letter also write it as if you are talking to a donor in a friendly way.

7. Present Your GOAL in the Right Way

Present your fundraising goal. The donor to whom you are writing a letter should know your goals or targets. Let him know in total how much money is needed by the ill person.

Also, let him know how much funds you have already raised and how much yet you need to accomplish your goal. I feel that the donor has the right to know about these things. Also, sharing all this builds trust between you and the donor.

8. Be Specific when Asking for Financial Support

You have to be straightforward while asking for money and writing such fundraising letters. Exactly mention the amount that you expect from the donor to donate.

It’s always good to mention the amount because there will not be any confusion regarding the amount. And when you be more specific it will be easy for the person to take action accordingly. And if you are not specified then the chances are there that the donor may send less money with confusion.

9. Be HUMBLE while Asking MONEY

Even though you are specifically asking the amount, be humble while asking. Your tone should not be like you are ordering the person to send money.

Be more humble and also ask according to the helping capacity of a donor. You can’t write the same amount in every letter while asking. You should understand the donor as well. Ask according to his financial conditions. Do not mention too much amount in your letter.

10. Mention the ways about HOW TO DONATE money for an ill person

Donors should know how to send money to you. In your fundraising letter, do not forget to add the details that how can donors send money.

You can mention the bank account details or you can mention the online payment details like Google Pay, PayPal etc. If you mention all these things in your letter then the process will be easy and quick. The donor can quickly send money.

11. Make use of PICTURES while sending letters

You can attach relevant photographs or images along with a letter. The photographs should be something like, how you have utilized the money that the donor sent previously.

All though sending images is optional. You should think if the photographs are necessary or not. If you are running an organization to support sick people then you might have images of your work. You can send them.

12. Express the sense of URGENCY and EMERGENCY

It is important to express a sense of urgency in your fundraising letter. The donor may not be aware of all this. So, you should make a donor realize that it is an important and urgent thing.

For example, if you are raising funds for the operation of an ill person then mention the date in your letter.

13. Write a CONCISE LETTER rather than writing too long

Well, writing is an art. And while writing such a letter you should explain everything in a short letter clearly. Focus on the words and sentences while writing.

Write a concise letter that is compelling. You don’t need to write too many pages. Keep it short and persuasive.

Your Letter should Make the Donor Take Action Accordingly

After reading your letter the donor should be ready to provide financial support. So, when you finish writing just read it once and imagine yourself in place of the donor and ask yourself, “It is convincing?”

So, whenever you are thinking about how to write a fundraising letter for an ill person, remind these 13 steps. When you follow these steps your letter will be persuasive to derive more funds.

Ankita Kamat

I'm Ankita Kamat, the creator of Frugal Beat, a blog dedicated to frugal living. Join me in exploring practical ways to save money, reduce waste and live a purposeful life. Let's embrace frugality as a lifestyle together.