Sample Fundraising Letters

One of the most effective ways to reach people AND raise money is to conduct a letter writing/email campaign. Not sure where to begin? Here are some samples to letters to get you started, but remember that the best letters will reflect your own individual personality. Write from the heart and tell your story.

Once you have written your letter, duplicate it and send it out to people in your holiday mailing, your immediate family and friends, neighbors, business owners, vendors etc.  – don’t forget to personalize them. 

Sample Fundraising Letter for National Suicide Prevention Week (NSPW) 
(Update for 2018 to come in August)

Dear Friend,

As you may know, this fall I will be joining thousands of people nationwide to walk in the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's (AFSP) Out of the Darkness Community Walk.

Sunday, September 9th begins National Suicide Prevention Week (NSPW), and there is no time better than now to support me as I raise my voice for suicide prevention.

My personal fundraising goal is $[enter goal here]. I would appreciate any support that you can give me for this worthwhile cause.

As National Suicide Prevention Week begins, AFSP has announced its next phase of Project 2025, which is an AFSP initiative to reduce the suicide rate by 20% by 2025. For more information on National Suicide Prevention Week, and to learn more about AFSP, please visit www.afsp.org/nspw

[If you have been personally touched by suicide, please include your story, to the extent that you are comfortable, here.]

I hope you will consider supporting my participation in this event. A contribution to the Community Walk will bring AFSP’s programs directly to the community, as well as to its mission to Save Lives and Bring Hope to Those Affected by Suicide. All donations are 100% tax deductible.

Donating online is safe and easy! To make an online donation click the "Support Me" link in this email and then click the "Support Me" button on my fundraising page. If you would rather donate by check please make the check payable to AFSP and mail it in with the offline donation form.

Thank you for considering this request for your support. If you have any questions about the Out of the Darkness Community Walks or AFSP do not hesitate to contact me or visit www.afsp.org

Sincerely,
Your Name

Sample Fundraising Letter 1

Dear Friends:

After his long battle with depression, my family lost a father, husband, brother, uncle, grandfather, and friend in June of 2004 to suicide.

We are all forever changed by this tragic event. My hope is that through education and awareness, those suffering with a mental illness will be prompted to seek help. This year, I will be participating in the Out of the Darkness Community walk for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Funds from this event will fund research, offer educational programs, advocate for public policy, and support those affected by suicide.

Please visit www.outofthedarkness.org and register to walk with me and my team, “Team George”. If you are unable to join, please consider donating to help me reach my goal. You may either donate online, or you may send a check (made payable to AFSP) to: AFSP, 199 Water Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10038.  Please write my name in the memo line of all checks.  Thank you so much for your support!

With much love,
Adele

Sample Fundraising Letter 2

Dear Friend:

A life is lost to suicide every 12.8 minutes in the United States. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among fifteen to twenty-four year olds and the second leading cause of death among college students. However, most Americans remain unaware that suicide is a national health problem.  The impact suicide has on the lives of family members, friends, co-workers and the community is devastating.  The loss of human potential is enormous.

On {WALK DATE}, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) will host the {WALK CITY} Out of the Darkness Community Walk.  We hope you will consider walking with us as we travel the beautiful paths at {WALK LOCATION} to raise awareness and funds for suicide prevention.

A major goal of this event is to show support for the families and friends of the more than 41,000 Americans who die by suicide, and the 20 million people who suffer from depression, each year.  Support of the community walks also helps to raise funds for suicide prevention research and educational programs, erase the stigma surrounding suicide and its causes, and encourage those who are suffering from mental illness to see treatment.

On-line registration is now available at www.outofthedarkness.org.  You may register individually or as part of a team. Please consider inviting your family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers to walk with you or to support your walk. If you are not able to join us, perhaps you would consider sponsoring a walker or making a donation to the {WALK CITY} walk. 

For more information please contact me at {email@email.com} or call me at (555) 222-3333. Thank you ahead of time for your support in bringing suicide Out of the Darkness.

Sincerely,
Carol 

Sample Fundraising Letter 3

Dear Julie,

This fall, I will join hundreds of thousands of walkers across the country in my local Out of the Darkness Community Walk to benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. 

Twenty million Americans suffer from depression - that's about 10 percent of the population. Thankfully, depression is among the most treatable of psychiatric illnesses. Some estimates suggest that between 80 percent and 90 percent of people with depression respond positively to treatment, and almost all patients gain some relief from their symptoms. But first, depression has to be recognized. Unfortunately, depression left untreated often leads to suicide. I'm participating in this event to try to change that fact.

I am writing to you today to ask for your support. I've experienced some of the dark days of depression personally, but through help I have come out the other side. That is why walking in the Out of the Darkness Walk is so close to my heart. My goal is to raise at least $500 for this cause. You can help by making a donation. You can give online at www.outofthedarkness.org (type my name into the fundraiser search box in the top right) or fill out the enclosed donation form and mail it with your check to AFSP, 199 Water Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10038.

Thank you for your consideration and support. I'll keep you updated on my progress as I continue my fundraising efforts and take part in this inspiring event.

Sincerely,
Angela

Sample Fundraising Letter 4

Dear Patty,

I am preparing for something very important in my life, and I am asking for your moral, financial, and emotional support.

My uncle, Jeff, took his own life fifteen years ago. It's not something that I have talked about often, but it is something that I have carried around in my heart for a long time.

I want to commemorate Jeff's life by participating in the  {WALK CITY} Out of the Darkness Walk, an event that raises money for suicide prevention research, education, survivor and awareness programs. I will be among hundreds of thousands of people walking in more than 300 cities across the country to send a message of hope to the world.

No one talked to me about my uncle's suicide. That's why I'm walking in the Out of the Darkness Walk, to raise awareness and let people know it is ok to talk about suicide and mental illness. I want to do my part to prevent this tragedy from happening in other families.

To help make a difference, you can click the link below to visit my personal fundraising webpage and donate online. I encourage you to share this letter with other people who may want to lend their support as well.

Sincerely,
Michelle

Sample Fundraising Letter 5

Dear Maria,

On {WALK DATE}, my husband, Raj, and I will be joining hundreds of others in our local Out of Darkness Walk. Our goal is to raise funds and awareness about suicide and depression. But, to achieve this goal I need your help. I am asking you to lend your moral, emotional, and financial support to Raj and me.

I have never felt comfortable asking for money, not even for the kids' school fundraisers! However, this cause is very important to me. As you know, my sister Melanie died by suicide when she was just 21. Please join Raj and me in our fight to end the silence about suicide and mental illness. Will you consider helping us with a tax-deductible donation of $100? I am going all out in an attempt to collect as much money from as many donors as possible. Your contribution along with the donations of thousands of others will have a serious impact for this cause. Net proceeds will fund the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's research, education, survivor and awareness programs - both to prevent suicide and to assist those affected by suicide.

I know I am asking for a lot. But it will take a lot to help end the overwhelming silence that surrounds suicide. When you have made your decision simply click the link below or go to www.OutoftheDarkness.org and type my name into the Fundraiser Search box to locate my page and donate online.

From the bottom of my heart I thank you for your support. I will certainly keep you posted on our progress.

Sincerely,
Kelley