Sample Fundraising Letter

Sample Fundraising Letter

The following is a sample fundraising letter for the Palestine Summer Encounter program. It is here for demonstration purposes only.

1/28/09

Dear loved ones,

I wanted to share with you my summer plans. I’ve decided to spend three months living in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Maybe that sounds like a crazy thing to do, but I feel that it’s important, and I wanted to explain why.

I’ve been invited by two organizations to serve as a volunteer in the city of Bethlehem–Middle East Fellowship, a U.S. based nonprofit and Holy Land Trust, a Palestinian organization. I haven’t officially been assigned a volunteer opportunity yet, but I’m hoping to work at a refugee camp program for young adults. Kids there are living in pretty awful conditions–life under military occupation isn’t easy. I don’t see any path to peace if we can’t deliver some seeds of hope to the next generation of Palestinians and Israelis. And I DO think there’s hope for peace.

This will be the sixth year that these groups have sponsored the “Palestine Summer Encounter” program. They receive about 50 international volunteers every year who serve at schools, hospitals, homes for the disabled, summer camps, nonprofits, churches–anywhere where they can make a diffence. Holy Land Trust has been one of the leading Palestinian voices for nonviolent alternatives to the cycle of violence. They’re very trusted and respected in the community–so much so that they’ve arranged for each of us to live with a local family while in the region.

This isn’t a job, it isn’t something I’m being paid to do. In fact, I have to cover my own costs, which includes airfare and $3,930 for the program–this covers travel insurance, housing, my arabic classes, food and transportation. I’m estimating that roundtrip tickets will cost $1,500. That’s a total of $5,430. I don’t know how I’m going to make this work yet, but I’’ll find a way. I have a little bit saved and I’m starting to sell some of the things laying around that I don’t really need. If there is any way you could contribute to this effort please do. No gift is too small (I realize many of you are college students or still paying off student loans) but even if everyone gave $25 or $30 that would be a tremendous help. Even if you can’t help financially, please keep me in mind this summer. I’ll try to send out e-mail updates as often as I can. Give me a call before May 21st–I’d love to tell you more about my trip!

Much love,

John Doe
(555) 555-5555

P.S. If you CAN make a donation, here’s how to do it:

Send a check to:

Middle East Fellowship
Business Office
PO Box 1613
Wheaton, IL
60189-1613

Make sure to write my name and “Palestine Summer Encounter” in the memo of the check. Like this: “John Doe–Palestine Summer Encounter.” This a tax-deductible donation you’re making, so don’t forget come tax season.

You can also donate toward my trip online: http://www.palestinesummer.org/payments

Thank you SO much! You have no idea how much this means to me!