Posted March 5, 2010

So you’ve already sent a fundraising letter to EVERYONE for whom you have an email address, right? Still didn’t meet your goal?  Don’t take a lack of response from your potential donors as a “No!”  Often people will want to support you and your efforts but they just don’t have the time at the moment to go through the process of making a donation.  Others plan to donate, but like many of us, they might just be procrastinators.

Help your donors and yourself by sending a fundraising reminder at least once a month.  Your follow-up email or letter need not be as elaborate as your initial fundraising letter.  It could just be a note giving your friends, family, and acquaintances a training update. Be sure to include those who have already donated.  Let everyone know how hard you’re working to achieve this goal.  Tell them about your latest ride and how you achieved the 25, 50, 75, or 100 mile mark.  Tell them about that tough hill you finally conquered!  

Finally, you can include one of our favorite fundraising follow-up lines:

I want to thank all of my wonderful friends and family who have donated thus far.  For those of you who haven't donated, and who would still like to be a part of this, you still can! 

Then, as with each email, direct them to the link for your ALC fundraising home page.  After all, who wouldn’t want to be one of your “wonderful friends and family?”

Don’t be discouraged if fundraising has been a struggle.  Remember that about 80 percent of all donations are made between now and the ride in June.  With a little effort you still have plenty of time to meet and exceed your fundraising goal!