Sponsorship letters are one of the best ways to start a conversation between your nonprofit and a potential sponsor about forming a mutually beneficial partnership. Securing sponsorships with for-profit partners is one of the most important steps you can take on your path to reaching your fundraising goals. Besides the direct aid provided by the sponsor, if you tap into a sponsor’s audience of potential givers, you’re even more likely to find fundraising success.
Is your nonprofit ready to secure a sponsor for your next campaign? Check out these sponsorship request letter samples to get inspired!
Getting financial support is vital for nonprofits to fund programs, services, events, and daily operations. Well-crafted donation request letters are key for fundraising success. Follow these tips to create compelling letters that encourage giving.
Lead With Your Mission
Start your donation letter with a brief overview of your nonprofit’s mission and values. Explain the vision you are working towards and the impact you aim to make.
This grounds the reader in the purpose behind your cause and why donations matter It sets the stage for making an emotional appeal
State Your Fundraising Goals
Next specify the amount of money you hope to raise through donations along with exactly how those funds will be used. Be as concrete and transparent as possible.
For example, explain if you need $20,000 to purchase food and supplies for a shelter. This gives potential donors clarity on how their money will help.
Highlight Recent Accomplishments
Bolster confidence in your nonprofit by showcasing major accomplishments, awards, partnerships, or growth from the past year.
Back up that you have a proven track record of success in furthering your mission. Quantify your impact with statistics like number of people helped.
Offer Donor Benefits
Let donors understand what’s in it for them by outlining benefits of financial support. Common benefits include:
- Tax receipts for deductions
- Complimentary tickets to a special event
- Donor name listed in an annual report
- Organization merch or gifts
- Photo and story to share on social media
- Invitation to an exclusive donor event
- Naming rights to part of a new building
Recognize Loyal Supporters
If writing to repeat donors, include a warm sentence acknowledging their past support. Thank them for their loyalty and consistency.
This strengthens rapport with longtime supporters who will likely donate again.
Extend A Personal Invitation
For a warmer touch, extend an invitation to visit the organization and see the impact firsthand. Offer to give a tour or meet staff and people you serve.
This draws donors in by offering a rewarding on-site experience. They become more connected to the work.
Share Client Stories
Personal stories resonate more deeply than facts and figures alone. Share one compelling case study of how your nonprofit changed someone’s life.
Put a name, face, and story to the work to spark an emotional connection and empathy from donors. Just be sure to get written consent.
Use Visuals
Enhance your letter with photos, charts, or graphics related to your cause. This brings your work to life.
For example, include pictures of past events, your services in action, client art projects, architectural plans for new centers, or staff in the community.
Close With Gratitude
Wrap up your letter with a note of thanks and appreciation for the reader’s consideration.
Express your gratitude for their commitment to your mission and the community. Leave them feeling inspired.
Proofread Closely
Before sending any donation letter, thoroughly proofread it. Check carefully for errors.
Mistakes undercut professionalism and can cause confusion. You want polished letters that instill confidence.
Sample Donation Request Letter
Below is a sample donation request letter incorporating the above tips:
December 1, 2022
John Doe
123 Main St.
Anytown, CA 12345
Dear Mr. Doe,
Last year alone, with help from our donors, we provided 38,000 meals to animals at our shelter, performed over 500 spay/neuter surgeries, and secured adoption for 720 homeless dogs and cats. We also expanded our free vaccination clinic through a new partnership with local veterinarians.
This year, our goal is raise $50,000 specifically to renovate and upgrade our shelter’s dog kennels. The improved kennels will allow us to rescue more dogs from highly crowded and unsafe conditions. They will also provide a cleaner, calmer environment for dogs waiting for their forever homes.
I am writing in hopes that we can count on your support again this year with a donation to our Kennel Renovation Campaign. As a thank you, supporters at the $500 level or above will receive a private behind-the-scenes shelter tour and adoption of their choice of a dog or cat. All supporters will receive a tax receipt and recognition on our website.
Your compassion over the years has been invaluable to our organization. Please consider renewing your support this holiday season to improve the lives of dogs in need. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have.
With gratitude,
Jane Smith
Executive Director
Sunny Skies Animal Rescue
Tips for Writing Persuasive Letters
Here are some additional tips for crafting effective, compelling donation request letters:
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Address each potential donor individually. Avoid “Dear Sir or Madam.”
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Keep sentences and paragraphs short and focused for easy reading.
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Strike an upbeat yet sincere tone using conversational language. Avoid overly formal writing.
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Personalize each letter when possible to deepen connection.
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Send handwritten notes to add a human touch.
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Time letters to coincide with events, holidays, or campaigns.
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Follow up by phone after a week to gauge interest.
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Convey urgency if seeking funds for a pressing need.
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Show donors their money will be put to urgent, meaningful use.
Taking the time to write thoughtful, engaging letters pays off through inspiring increased support.
Building Ongoing Donor Relationships
Stewarding relationships with supporters expands long-term giving. Try these ideas:
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Send prompt thank you notes so donors feel appreciated.
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Keep donors informed through newsletters with impact stories.
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Personally phone top supporters to express gratitude.
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Share photos and specifics on how their gift helped.
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Extend open invitations for donors to visit or volunteer.
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Host special events like receptions and tours to engage donors.
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Recognize loyal donors publicly on social media and your website.
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Offer supporters insider information such as funding needs.
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Ask top donors for feedback on your organization’s direction.
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Solicit donations again, but give past givers the option to decline further asks.
Donors who feel valued and informed will remain loyal supporters over time.
Partnering With Corporate Sponsors
Along with individual donors, corporate sponsorships provide essential funding. Some tips when pitching businesses:
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Tailor proposals to highlight win-win benefits for potential sponsors.
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Offer branding, sampling, or advertising opportunities through events.
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Tie sponsorship levels to different benefits like exposure, signage, social media, etc.
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Present data on the impact or reach of your nonprofit.
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Invite company leaders to see programs firsthand.
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Partner creatively so both organizations can showcase their community involvement.
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Express openness to cross-promoting sponsors through various channels.
Creative corporate partnerships can significantly expand your nonprofit’s reach and fundraising power.
Well-crafted donation request letters make connecting with supporters efficient and effective. With compelling stories, transparency, gratitude, and persistence, your nonprofit can fund programs that drive real change. Remember to steward relationships long-term. With strategic fundraising letters, you will inspire donors to become champions of your mission.
Corporate sponsorship letter
When talking about nonprofit sponsorships, the first thing that typically comes to mind is a traditional corporate sponsorship in which a business signs on as a nonprofit’s sponsor for a set time period.
One of the best ways to partner with a corporate sponsor long-term is to ask them to promote your cause to employees engaging in their matching gifts program.
The sponsor could include a reference to your cause on their corporate philanthropy page, or they could agree to match gifts to your organization at a higher ratio than gifts to other causes. In turn, your nonprofit would include their business on your website as a valued sponsor.
Consider this corporate sponsorship letter sample that emphasizes a matching gifts partnership:
Many corporations have philanthropy programs in place that allocate a certain percentage of their overall budget to making charitable contributions, including matching employee gifts.
This means that these businesses already have the money set aside to sponsor your cause, but they’re just waiting for an organization like yours to initiate your partnership.
Don’t leave that funding on the table! By proactively sending out letters like these, your team automatically boosts your chances of securing a corporate sponsorship and tapping into their philanthropic giving budget.
Volunteer sponsorship request letter
Whether you’re a nonprofit organization, a school, or a church, volunteer support is one of the best ways to serve your community. With the help of some of your most passionate supporters, you can get critical tasks done and directly impact those you serve.
Consider proposing a sponsorship where your partner incentivizes its employees to act as volunteers to your organization. Some companies even have a dedicated corporate volunteer program where the employer also donates a set amount when employees meet certain volunteer hours.
Here is a sponsorship letter template for requesting volunteers:
Seeking out volunteers from a sponsor is also a great way to engage with prospective future supporters.
Perhaps they’ll volunteer for your cause and really connect with your mission.
Make sure to follow up after the volunteer event with a well thought out thank you, and a summary of their hard work!
How to Write the Perfect Donation Letter (or Email)
Do you need a donation request letter?
If your organization requests donations or sponsorships from a corporation, a formal request letter is often required. It is also a way to show you are a serious organization capable of handling a large donation. Sending out request letters to businesses and individuals is a way to give specific details on your campaign and organization.
What is an example of a donation request letter?
For example, they might sponsor a table at a dinner, and receive a placard on the table showing their name and business information. This is a popular donation request letter for schools and teams, as community businesses are likely to get behind these types of organizations.
How do you write a charitable donation request letter?
Ask for a specific amount. The best charitable donation request letter templates include details about the difference each dollar amount can make. For example, “Just a $25 donation can provide a holiday meal for a family of four.” Build trust. Mention your organization’s history and achievements, like awards or partnerships, to build credibility.
When should a nonprofit send a sponsorship letter?
Sponsorship letters should be sent out well in advance of your event or project. This gives companies enough time to consider and respond to your donation request. Furthermore, your nonprofit should send sponsorship acknowledgment letters immediately after a donation has been made and after the event has ended.
