SAMPLE CONTENT FOR "THE COMPLETE CROWDFUNDING COURSE" ------------------------------------------------------------------- YOUR STORY – PART OF CAMPAIGN PAGE ------------------------------------------------------------------- [LEAD PARAGRAPH TELLS STORY. KEEP IT SHORT, ONLY THREE-FIVE SENTENCES] Jennifer stood on the corner with her book bag over her shoulder, a dead cell phone in her hand and no money in her pocket. Her dad had just kicked her out of the house and it wasn’t safe for her to return. It was her 15th birthday, she had nowhere to go and was about to find out she was two months pregnant. [ABOUT YOUR ORGANIZATION, SERVICES AND PROGRAMS. AGAIN ONLY A FEW SENTENCES.] The [NAME OF NONPROFIT] provides a refuge for homeless teens. We help youth like Jennifer get a safe place to stay and... [WHAT YOU DO HERE – COULD BE BULLETED LIST]. [INTRODUCE FUNDRAISER] This year we are raising [$AMOUNT HERE] so that we can purchase a [ITEM HERE]. This [ITEM DETAILS HERE. MAKE, MODEL, SIZE… GIVE DETAILS ON EXACTLY WHAT YOU ARE BUYING. THIS DEMONSTRATES YOU HAVE DONE YOUR RESEARCH.] [WHY YOU NEED ITEM] [GIVE DETAILS ON HOW THE NEW ITEM WILL DIRECTLY EFFECT THE PEOPLE YOUR SERVE. BULLET POINTS ARE GOOD HERE. EXAMPLE FOLLOWS] The goal of this fundraiser is to help youth like Jennifer complete their high school education. The three new computers will be used to: -- teach youth how to use office software and navigate the window operating system -- give teens access to online instruction, educational materials and GED courses -- provide students the resources they need to complete homework assignments -- give teens the tools to create music, art and videos under the instruction of our volunteer media teacher. [YOUR MISSION STATEMENT – REMIND PEOPLE WHO YOU ARE] Here at [NONPROFIT NAME], it is our mission to: [QUOTE MISSION STATEMENT HERE] [CALL TO ACTION – ASK THEM TO DONATE] We have already help over 100 at-risk youth graduate from high school. And with your help, we can do even more. Please, support [NONPROFIT NAME]. Donate today. ------------------------------------------------------------------- ASKING EMAIL ------------------------------------------------------------------- [KEEP THE ASKING EMAIL SHORT AND DIRECT. NOBODY WANTS TO READ A WHOLE STORY ABOUT YOUR NONPROFIT IN AN EMAIL. USE CALLS TO ACTIONS TO GET THEM TO YOUR CAMPAIGN PAGE] Hello [FIRST NAME], [INTRODUCE FUNDRAISER] This year [NONPROFIT NAME] has made it our goal to [REASON FOR YOUR FUNDRAISER – FEED MORE CHILDREN, INCREASE OUR SERVICE AREA, DELIVER MORE BLANKETS, ETC] and we need your help to make it happen. [GIVE QUICK OVERVIEW OF WHAT YOU DO] In the past we have been able to provide homeless youth a safe place to stay, a warm meal and opportunities to continue their education. [DETAILS ON FUNDRAISER NEEDS AND BENEFITS] This year we will be increasing our educational services to include a GED program for the youth at our shelter. We need to raise [#AMOUNT] in order to purchase three new computers for the GED program. These computers will help our students: -- [BENEFIT ONE] -- [BENEFIT TWO] -- [BENEFIT THREE] [CALL TO ACTION – ASK TO DONATE] Can you please help us increase the educational opportunities we offer to the homeless youth at our shelter? We are a 501.c.3 charitable nonprofit, and all donations received will go directly to the purchase of these new computers. [PASTE LINK TO CAMPAIGN HERE] [THANK THEM] Thank you so much for being a part of [NONPROFIT NAME]. We appreciate any support you can offer. Sincerely, [EMAIL SIGNATURE] ------------------------------------------------------------------- THANK YOU EMAIL ------------------------------------------------------------------- Hello [FIRST NAME], [START WITH A DIRECT THANK YOU] Thank you for donating to [NONPROFIT NAME]. We are a 501.c.3 charitable nonprofit with the mission of [SHORT DESCRIPTION OF YOUR MISSION]. Your support has helped us reach our goal of [$GOAL AMOUNT HERE]. [DETAIL ON HOW THEIR SUPPORT EFFECTS YOUR PROGRAMS] With this new [ITEM] we will be able to [DETAIL ON HOW NEW ITEM WILL DIRECTLY EFFECT YOUR PROGRAMS. JUST A FEW SENTENCES OR BULLET POINTS]. [CALL TO ACTION TO HELP SPREAD THE WORD] It would be great if you could let your friends and family know that you're supporting a great cause. Here is a link to our fundraiser for you to share, [PASTE LINK HERE]. [CLOSE WITH ANOTHER SINCERE THANK YOU] Thank you again for supporting [NONPROFIT NAME]. You have helped make it possible for us to continue to [THE WORK YOU DO HERE]. We look forward to sharing more of the successes you've helped create in future email updates. Best wishes, [YOUR EMAIL SIGNATURE] ------------------------------------------------------------------- PRINTED LETTER ------------------------------------------------------------------- Hello [FIRST NAME], [OPENING PARAGRAPH – REMIND PEOPLE WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU DO] Last year, the [NONPROFIT NAME] was able to [state accomplishments and/or services]. [INTRODUCE THE PROBLEM. NOTE: STATS IN THIS EXAMPLE ARE MADE UP] Homeless youth can spend up to three months of the year without a place to stay. And during this time their need to survive trumps their need to go to school. This has created an increase in dropout rates nationwide. Today, nearly 50% of homeless teens don’t finish high school. [INTRODUCE YOUR SOLUTION – THE REASON FOR YOUR FUNDRAISER] So, here at [NONPROFIT NAME] we are working to help reduce the number of high school dropouts by providing new opportunities for the youth who stay in our shelter. These services include: -- [SERVICE/REASON ONE] -- [SERVICE/REASON TWO] -- [SERVICE/REASON THREE] [INTRODUCE FUNDRAISER] To do this we need to raise [#AMOUNT] to purchase three new computers for use in our GED program. These computers will [STATE BENEFIT PROVIDED BY ITEM]. [CALL TO ACTION] Please help us increase the educational opportunities offered to homeless youth by donating to our fundraiser. We are a 501.c.3 charitable nonprofit, and all donations received will go directly to the purchase of these new computers. -- You can donate online at: [LINK HERE] -- Or you can mail a check to: [ADDRESS HERE] [CLOSE WITH A SINCERE THANK YOU] Thank you for taking the time to learn about the needs of the local homeless youth in our community. Your support can help create a better future for the youth we serve. Sincerely, [SIGNATURE]