stronger together: 2013 annual appeal · leadership solicitation letter ... motivated by the causes...

STRONGER TOGETHER: 2013 ANNUAL APPEAL Volunteer Toolkit YMCA of Metro Chicago IRVING PARK YMCA

TABLE OF CONTENTS APPEAL BASICS Volunteer responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Strategies for success . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Timeline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Contact information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 SPEAKING POINTS Elevator speech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Community impact summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Our case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Impact statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 The Y meets community need . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 The value of our brand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Frequently asked questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 HOW TO Solicitation and reporting instructions for appeal volunteers . . . . 13 In-person meeting guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 In-person meeting sample scripts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Phone call guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Phone call sample scripts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Sample call sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 SAMPLE COMMUNICATIONS E-mail from the President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Leadership solicitation letter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Sample follow-up e-mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Sample thank you letter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

STRONGER TOGETHER: APPEAL BASICS

Stronger Together: 2013 Annual Appeal | 2

VOLUNTEER RESPONSIBILITIES As a volunteer leader of the Stronger Together annual appeal, it is your role to advocate for the Y by calling on donors and raising contributions for the Annual Fund. Every volunteer is vital to the success of the Annual Fund and is expected to:

Give. As a volunteer leader, you’ve already given to the Y – because you give your time, share your skills, and make the Y one of your top giving priorities.

Plan. Identify donors you wish to contact, and communicate with your Executive Director to make sure the donors haven’t been assigned to another volunteer. Review existing donors and seek out new prospects to engage.

Learn. Become familiar with the Y’s mission, programs, reach, and your own Y experience to motivate prospective donors.

Ask. Contact your donors, and be sure to ask if your prospect’s company has a matching gift program. It is best practice to meet with prospective donors face-to-face, if possible.

Follow up. At a minimum, contact each prospect by telephone or e-mail after sending a letter. If you need assistance following up with your prospects, contact the Mission Advancement department. We’ll ensure your donors receive timely, thoughtful follow up.

Engage. Our strongest donors are those that connected with the Y and our mission through an existing donor. Invite your prospects to lunch, for coffee, or to join you at a Y event or program.

Report. Submit call reports to your staff liaison weekly. As you become aware of incoming contributions, all pledges and gifts should be reported to your staff liaison. Let us know the donor’s name, the amount they will be contributing, when to expect their gift, and if they require a follow up or a pledge reminder.

Thank. Send a note or make a phone call to thank your donors for their support.


STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS

Get started early.

Go after your best prospect first.

Be prepared. Have copies of the pledge form on hand.

Engage your prospect with the Y by inviting him or her to an event, sending a copy of YES magazine, or sharing a link to the Y’s website.

Find a Y connection with your prospect by sharing your Y story and asking for theirs.

Be familiar with Y programs and the importance of supporting them.

Thank them if they’ve given before.

Ask! The most common reason people don’t give was simply because they weren’t asked.

Ask for a specific amount when it is appropriate, such as when soliciting a corporation or foundation. Consult your Executive Director if you would like to discuss what that amount should be.

Communicate with your Executive Director for accurate reporting.

Be persistent.

Be proud of your role – you are not asking for yourself, but for children, teens, families, and communities that benefit from the Y’s programs and services.


TIMELINE

STRONGER TOGETHER OUR TIMELINE


CONTACT INFORMATION Staff Liaison Ellen Canter [email protected] (312) 613-4372 Executive Director Barbara “Bev” Miller [email protected] (773) 777-7500 Board Chair and Annual Appeal Chair Kevin Neuman [email protected] (312) 618-3418

STRONGER TOGETHER: SPEAKING POINTS


ELEVATOR SPEECH

The Y of Metro Chicago transforms lives and communities. People know us best for swimming, water safety and fitness, but that’s just part of what we do. The Y of Metro Chicago develops and nurtures the potential of more than half a million people each year. Our nonprofit network of more than 25 membership centers, five camps, and hundreds of programs across the city and suburbs provide everyone with a safe place to learn, play and grow. Motivated by the causes of youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the Y opens doors, builds character, strengthens neighborhoods, and brings families together.


COMMUNITY IMPACT SUMMARY

INSERT YOUR Y’S COMMUNITY IMPACT SUMMARY HERE


OUR CASE When talking about the Y, remember that:

CORE MESSAGES open the door FACTS showcase need and impact STORIES AND PICTURES bring it to life

The YMCA supports the health and well-being of over half a million people—including 67,000 children—in Metro Chicago. Our mission includes health and fitness as part of a broader goal to transform individuals and strengthen communities. Everyone is included regardless of ability to pay Membership dues and program fees provide only a part of the resources needed to fulfill our mission – your gift will sustain the Y’s good work in your community. 100% of your gift goes directly to people in need of support.

OUR PURPOSE At the Y, we’re all about changing lives in three dimensions: • Youth Development – providing a safe haven for productive free time while supporting

educational readiness and success

• Healthy Living – promoting fitness, sports, nutrition and water safety, while preventing obesity and other health problems

• Social Responsibility – finding innovative ways to help each individual reach tower his or her potential, giving everyone the opportunity to be healthy, confident, connected, and secure


IMPACT STATEMENTS At the Y, the impact of your gift is felt when…

Youth Development Character development, closing the achievement gap, youth safety and violence prevention

• An inner city youth sees a star-lit sky for the first time at camp • A first-grader comes to school ready to learn because he attended an early childhood

program • A girl discovers that she can swim the width of the pool • A teen develops communication skills that will help her land a summer job • A student’s grades improve because she had help with her homework • A young woman finds someone she can talk to about violence in her home • A teen performs in front of an audience for the first time • A dad spends time with his child while coaching basketball • An autistic child experiences his first night away from home • A child with spina biffida takes abandons his wheelchair for crutches to keep up with

his friends at camp • A youth with Tourette’s is invited by a peer to dance • A young burn victim goes swimming without feeling out of place • A teen spends the weekend touring colleges, instead of tagging his neighbourhood

with graffiti • A child learns that the team plays better when everyone takes his turn • Kids have a safe place to go after school and in the summer • A teen adds “lifeguard training” to her resume • A young adult adds “camp counsellor” to his resume

Healthy Living Sports, fitness, nutrition, youth safety and violence prevention

• A child living in a food desert has her only hot, nutritious meal of the day • A girl discovers that she can swim the width of the pool • A teen chooses to play basketball after school instead of watching TV • A child chooses an apple instead of a candy bar • A young woman finds someone she can talk to about violence in her home • A child loses weight – and enjoys it – because at the Y, exercise is play • A mom sleeps better because she had her 30 minutes of cardio – knowing that her

baby was well cared for in the meantime • A dad sees his daughter graduate because he took care of his health

Social Responsibility Inclusion, special needs, youth safety and violence prevention

• A mom connects with her kids through volunteering together • Volunteers from a local company spend their day building a playground for kids in a

low-income community • A family is included regardless of their ability to pay • Teens involved in cliques learn that they have more in common with others than

they thought they did • A volunteer asks friends and family to support her favorite cause: the Y • People from different cultures and backgrounds come together around the

improvement of their community • A teen mom learns how to support and nurture her child


THE Y MEETS COMMUNITY NEED Scale & scope

• The Y of Metro Chicago is 154 years old, and one of the area’s largest cause-driven organizations. We serve the entire urban and suburban Chicago area, including 146,000 members and 57,000 youth in programs.

Great return on investment

• Because we have such a robust source of earned income through our membership centers and programs, your support goes directly to services that benefit young people, adults, and families in need.

Commitment to education

• According to CPS data, the percentage of students at YMCA Community Schools who meet or exceed state standards on the ISAT Math Test increased 17% in 4 years, from 45% in 2007 to 64% in 2010.

• In a community where the graduation rate is 47%, 100% of youth who participate in the Y’s Black and Latino Achievers program graduate from high school and 98% go on to post-secondary education.

Teaching life skills

• 54% of children between 12 and 18 cannot swim in deep water, and can do no more than splash around in the shallow end of the pool, according to a University of Memphis study. Learning to swim is a life skill the Y makes available to all.

Promoting health lifestyles

• Three of four children ages 5 through 10 do not get the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity each day. But at the Y last summer, 9,000 children attended camp where they could play safely outdoors, learn to swim, and eat nutritious

• In 2012, at the start of our Healthy Kids Camp at Indian Boundary Y, there was a high number of overweight and obese campers between the ages of 9 and 11. At the end of the ten week camp, the number of overweight and obese campers decreased from 46 to 26, a 50% improvement in BMI category.

• At a time when the CDC reports that 17% of children ages 2 through 19 are obese, the Y of Metro Chicago has committed to serving healthy snacks and meals in all of our after-school programs.

Providing safe havens

• In 2012, 1,273 birth-to-12 years olds and nearly 4,000 parents and siblings were reached through the Y’s licensed pre-school and child care programs, including Head Start and Early Head Start.

• Exposure to violence effects 2 out of every 3 children. Our Youth Safety and Violence Prevention program is present in 11 of Chicago’s most at-risk communities, providing after school tutoring and conducting school workshops that promote non-violent conflict resolution.

• Our Teen REACH programs provide academic


THE VALUE OF OUR BRAND When speaking with a business, the following points may be of interest to your prospects: When you partner with the Y, you join hundreds of thousands of allies in 10,000 communities across the nation and around the world to nurture the potential of children, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and give back and support our neighbors. Corporate citizenship impacts purchasing decisions, too:

• 87% of consumers expect businesses to consider societal interests at least equal to business interests (Source: 2010 Edelman global goodpurpose study)

• An all-time high of 86% of Americans say they are likely to switch brands, when price and quality are equal, to help support a cause (Source: 2004 Cone Corporate Citizenship study)

• 75% say a company’s commitment to causes is important when they decide which products and services to recommend to others (Source: 2002 Cone Corporate Citizenship Study, The Role of Cause Branding)

• 80% say that corporate support of causes wins their trust in that company, a 21% increase from 1997 (Source: 2004 Cone Corporate Citizenship study)

Recognition We are proud to recognize our donors of $1,000 or more with banners at their local Y, and to recognize our donors of $100 or more in our Annual Report.


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS How is the Y strengthening my community? At the Y, we believe that a community focused on healthy living, youth development, and social responsibility is better equipped to exercise its true potential and have a greater, positive impact on society. How can I be helpful and useful in supporting the cause? We’re asking every member and friend of the Y to give a little of themselves to help make our effort stronger. Whether you share your skills, offer your time, or write a check, it multiplies the power we have to lift up our communities. What percentage of the funds raised go directly to programs? 100%. Income from program and membership fees cover the Y’s operating costs, program delivery, and membership services. This allows the Y to use all donations to develop and grow new programs, and help ensure that everyone, regardless of age, income, or background, has the opportunity to participate. I already am a YMCA member and pay monthly dues. Why should I donate? Membership fees cover only $1 out of every $3 it costs to run the Y. Increasing our fees and passing the full weight of our operational costs on to working families would be impossible in nearly every community we serve. That’s why we look to philanthropic support to move our community forward. Why should I give to the Y if I am not a member? Your support is still needed. Membership fees and donations are two different sources of income, both tied to our charitable mission. Membership does not cover the cost of programs for young people and adults or financial assistance for economically disadvantaged youth and families. Your contribution to the Annual Fund supports our efforts to provide meaningful opportunities, positive experiences, and caring adult role models to help youth grow into responsible adults. Do I need to give my donation in full right now? You have a number of options when making a gift to the Y: • Make a one-time gift by cash, check, or credit card by mail or online at

www. donate.ymcachicago.org • Set up a recurring gift to the Y • Pledge your commitment to the Y and pay any time before the end of the year (if

you’d like, we can send you a reminder). You can pay your pledge by cash, check, or credit card by mail or online

What credit cards does the Y accept? The Y accepts Master Card, Discover, Visa, and American Express. As a donor, do I receive any privileges? Donations to the Y are tax-deductible and all donors will receive a receipt of their contribution for tax purposes. By federal law, no goods or services can be provided by the Y in return for a donation. How will my gift be recognized? We are proud to recognize our donors of $1,000 or more with banners at their local Y, and to recognize our donors of $100 or more in our Annual Report.

STRONGER TOGETHER: HOW TO


SOLICITATION AND REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPEAL VOLUNTEERS

Call sheets will be distributed through your Board Chair, Annual Campaign Chair, and/or your Executive Director after the February Board meeting.

• You will receive between 5-7 contacts

• Make sure you are familiar with contacts by reading the background information on your prospect sheets

• Please make your personal visit within 2 weeks of receiving them

• Make 2-3 attempts to reach the individual—try not to leave a voice message—but recommended after the third try

• Be sure to respond to your contacts with respect and THANK THEM!

• Complete the call sheet with the time and day you called, the result of that call and your name and date—be as explicit and detailed as you can

• Return the completed call sheets to your center executive director at the end of the two week period—sooner if possible

• If you have questions or concerns during this process, please contact your campaign chair, executive director or AGO.


IN-PERSON MEETING GUIDE

In-person meetings are the most ideal setting for soliciting a prospect. We appreciate the prospect’s time, and hope to share with them the importance of the Y in our community and ask that they join us in making a charitable contribution to the Y. Speaking Points:

• Thank the prospect for taking time to meet with you about supporting the Y.

• Share why supporting the Y is important to you, and ask if the prospect has his or her

own Y story.

• After the prospect has shared his or her story, let them know that you hope they might consider joining you in supporting the Y’s Annual Fund. You may wish to share that you have already made your commitment to the Y this year, and ask that they do the same.

• If appropriate, ask if they might be willing to also renew or pledge new support for a local Y event.

• If the prospect declines your request, thank them for their time and consideration. Let them know that they can give at any time to the Y throughout the year, and that there are many other ways to show support for the Y, including volunteering.

• If the prospect agrees to make a commitment to the Y, thank them for their much needed support. Let them know that it is only with the support of community leaders like them that the Y is able to deliver positive and lasting change in our community. Present them with a pledge form to confirm their commitment, and let them know that they can make an outright gift, arrange a recurring gift, or pledge a gift that can be paid any time throughout the year. The Y will send reminders for their pledge.

• Please reiterate your appreciation and thanks for their support of the Y.


IN-PERSON MEETING SAMPLE SCRIPTS

“Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today regarding your support of [INSERT YMCA]. Supporting our YMCA is very special to me because this is where I learned to swim as an adult! I would love to hear your Y story! Because of our history with the Y, I would like to ask you in joining me to support their annual campaign. I have already committed to my 2013 gift of $1000, would you be to commit to your $1,000 gift today? Also, you have supported the [INSERT EVENT] in past years. We only want to solicit you one time this year so would you renew your event gift of $5,000. You have several payment options: an outright gift paid by credit card or check now, a pledge to pay by year’s end, or set up a recurring gift using a credit card. Thank you for supporting our Y. Together we are making a difference to families and kids in our community.” “Thank you [NAME] for meeting me for coffee today. I know our schedules are crazy so I’m glad this worked out for us. I wanted to share that as a Board member of the [INSERT YMCA], I am proud to support an organization that gives back to [COMMUNITY] by helping kids and families participate in programs that they could otherwise not afford. I have already committed to my 2013 gift of $1000, would you be to commit to your $1,000 gift today? Also, you have supported the [INSERT EVENT] in past years. We only want to solicit you one time this year so would you renew your event gift of $5,000. You have several payment options: an outright gift paid by credit card or check now, a pledge to pay by year’s end, or set up a recurring gift using a credit card. Thank you for supporting our Y. Together we are making a difference to families and kids in our community.” “Hi, [NAME] and thanks for meeting with me today. We are again meeting with community leaders this year to ask for your commitment to [INSERT YMCA]. I see you supported the Y last year with a substantial gift—would you be able to commit to that gift again this year? Or, we could add 10%? I have already committed to my 2013 gift of $1000, would you be to commit to your $1,000 gift today? Also, you have supported the [INSERT EVENT] in past years. We only want to solicit you one time this year so would you renew your event gift of $5,000. You have several payment options: an outright gift paid by credit card or check now, a pledge to pay by year’s end, or set up a recurring gift using a credit card. Thank you so much for supporting our YMCA here in [COMMUNITY]. Together we are making a difference to families and kids in our community.”


PHONE CALL GUIDE

Call to prospects should be informative and impactful. Like an in-person meeting, we hope to share with them the importance of the Y in our community and ask that they join us in making a charitable contribution to the Y. Speaking Points:

• Identify yourself and let the prospect know you are calling on behalf of the Y.

• Thank the prospect for speaking with you. If they have donated in the past, thank them

for their support.

• Let them know that you’re calling to discuss support for the Y.

• Share why supporting the Y is important to you, and ask if the prospect has his or her own Y story.

• After the prospect has shared his or her story, let them know that you hope they might consider joining you in supporting the Y’s Annual Fund. You may wish to share that you have already made your commitment to the Y this year, and ask that they do the same.

• If appropriate, ask if they might be willing to also renew or pledge new support for a local Y event.

• If the prospect declines your request, thank them for their time and consideration. Let them know that they can give at any time to the Y throughout the year, and that there are many other ways to show support for the Y, including volunteering.

• If the prospect agrees to make a commitment to the Y, thank them for their much needed support. Let them know that it is only with the support of community leaders like them that the Y is able to deliver positive and lasting change in our community. Inform them that that they can make an outright gift, arrange a recurring gift, or pledge a gift that can be paid any time throughout the year. The Y will send reminders for their pledge.

• Please reiterate your appreciation and thanks for their support of the Y.


PHONE CALL SAMPLE SCRIPTS

“Hi, thank you for taking my call today regarding your support of [INSERT YMCA]. Supporting our Y is very special to me because this is where I learned to swim as an adult! I would love to hear your Y story! Because of our history with the Y, I would like to ask you in joining me to support their annual campaign. I have already committed to my 2013 gift of $1000, would you be to commit to your $1,000 gift today? Also, you have supported the [INSERT EVENT] in past years. We only want to solicit you one time this year so would you renew your event gift of $5,000. You have several payment options: an outright gift paid by credit card or check now, a pledge to pay by year’s end, or set up a recurring gift using a credit card. Thank you for supporting our Y. Together we are making a difference to families and kids in our community.” “Thank you for taking my call today. I wanted to share that as a board member of [INSERT YMCA], I am proud to support an organization that gives back to our community by helping kids and families participate in programs that they could otherwise not afford. I have already committed to my 2013 gift of $1000, would you be to commit to your $1,000 gift today? Also, you have supported the [INSERT EVENT] in past years. We only want to solicit you one time this year so would you renew your event gift of $5,000. You have several payment options: an outright gift paid by credit card or check now, a pledge to pay by year’s end, or set up a recurring gift using a credit card. Thank you for supporting our Y. Together we are making a difference to families and kids in our community.” “Hi [NAME] and thanks for taking my call today. We are again talking with community leaders this year to ask for your commitment to [INSERT YMCA]. I see you supported the Y last year with a substantial gift—would you be able to commit to that gift again this year? Or, we could add 10%? I have already committed to my 2013 gift of $1000, would you be to commit to your $1,000 gift today? Also, you have supported the [INSERT EVENT] in past years. We only want to solicit you one time this year so would you renew your event gift of $5,000. You have several payment options: an outright gift paid by credit card or check now, a pledge to pay by year’s end, or set up a recurring gift using a credit card. Thank you so much for supporting our YMCA here in [COMMUNITY]. Together we are making a difference to families and kids in our community.”


SAMPLE CALL SHEET

2013 Stronger Together Annual Fund Campaign

PROSPECT CALL SHEET

Solicitor: Phone: Email: Prospect: [Constituent Name] Phone number: [Constituent Phone #] Email: 2012 Giving Total: [Sum of 2012 Cash Giving] Last Gift Information: [Last Gift Date] [Last Gift Appeal] [Last Gift Amount] Aspirational Ask Amount: [2013 Ask amount] Solicitor Instructions: When you are meeting with your prospect, begin your ask with the aspirational gift amount. *If the aspirational ask amount is too large, go to the “last gift amount” as the base of your ask.* Let the prospect decide how they want to divide their total gift: 2013 Annual Fund 2013 Event(s) Other local Y’s Giving total shown is a total of all gifts given in 2012. Notes

STRONGER TOGETHER: SAMPLE COMMUNICATIONS


E-MAIL FROM THE PRESIDENT Dear Friends: I am writing to thank you for your support last year and to announce the launch of our 2013 "Stronger Together" Annual Giving Appeal. At the heart of the YMCA is the power to transform—both yourself and the world around you. At the Y we are committed to strengthening bodies, minds and communities. Everything we do at the Y is an exercise in possibility and you have been an integral part of supporting our mission. But the power to transform is always in demand and that is why we are asking that you continue to support the YMCA. Please take a moment to view “It’s Good to Belong.” It sums up the importance of why it is important give to the Y. [Link "It's Good To Belong"] We begin this year’s appeal by asking all of our closest friends, members of our boards and most dedicated donors to start us off with a gift or pledge of $1,000 or more. I know that for some this is asking a lot, but if you can stretch to make this commitment you can be a part of changing lives and in doing so positively transforming our community. If you are able to give more, or less, please consider a gift within your means that is reflective of the value you place on the Y's impact in your community. In addition, we invite you to join our fund raising effort as a volunteer for our "Stronger Together" community appeal which will begin in March. There are so many reasons to give, and ask, for a gift to the Y including:

• The YMCA supports the health and well-being of half a million people—including 67,000 children—in Metro Chicago.

• Our mission includes health and fitness as part of a broader goal to transform individuals and strengthen communities.

• Membership dues and program fees provide only a part of the resources needed to fulfill our mission.

• Because membership supports our infrastructure, 100% of contributed support goes directly to people in need.

In the next several weeks you will be hearing more about the appeal, and you may receive a call or an invitation to meet from a member of your local Y. Please give them your ear and make a gift. With your support we'll all be "Stronger Together." Sincerely, Richard H. Malone President and CEO


LEADERSHIP SOLICITATION LETTER

[DATE] [ADDRESSEE] [ADDRESS 1] [ADDRESS 2] [CITY, STATE] [ZIP] Dear [SALUTATION]: At the heart of the YMCA lies the power to transform—both yourself and the world around you. At the Y, we believe that a community focused on healthy living, youth development and social responsibility is better equipped to exercise its true potential and have a greater, positive impact on society. As a leader at the Y, we hope you will join us in supporting our mission to transform and consider making a gift of [AMOUNT] to [NAME OF Y]’s Stronger Together 2013 appeal. Our goal in 2013 is to achieve 100% participation, with every Y [IF a Board member, ELSE leader] making a gift within your means that reflective of the value of the Y in our community. Please join us in championing the Y by making your gift or pledge today. Your support makes it possible for the Y to make our programs accessible to all—regardless of their ability to pay. The impact of your gift is felt when:

• A girl discovers she can swim the length of the pool • A dad sees his daughter graduate because he treated his diabetic condition • A family is included regardless of their ability to pay

By supporting our mission you demonstrate to members of the broader community the importance of the Y’s work and inspire a shared investment in our vision. Your leadership in this area [IF a Board member, as well as your participation on the Board,] is vital to our continued success. We are indeed, Stronger Together because of you. Sincerely, Kevin Neuman Barbara Miller Board Chair Executive Director Irving Park YMCA Irving Park YMCA


SAMPLE FOLLOW UP E-MAIL

Dear [NAME], I want to personally thank you on behalf of [YOUR YMCA] and the many families we serve for your generous pledge/donation of $[AMOUNT] to the 2013 Stronger Together Annual Campaign. Thanks to supports like you, the YMCA is able to offer quality programs with a focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The experiences our families share at Y create healthy lifestyles and, most importantly, help to develop and cultivate lifelong values like character and self esteem. Thank you, again, for your generosity and support. You have ensured that our community will have the opportunity to benefit from the many programs and services our Y offers. Please feel free contact me anytime—my contact information is listed below. Best regards,

[NAME]


SAMPLE THANK YOU LETTER

[DATE] [ADDRESSEE] [ADDRESS 1] [ADDRESS 2] [CITY, STATE] [ZIP]

Dear [SALUTATION],

I am writing to personally thank you for joining with me on behalf of [NAME OF Y] YMCA to support our Stronger Together appeal. Your official [gift receipt/pledge confirmation] will be sent by mail.

As you know, the Y serves tens of thousands of people in our local community, changing lives through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. It is people like you that make that possible, and so we are grateful for your support.

[Add a personal note if you wish]

Sincerely, [NAME] [NAME OF Y]

stronger together: 2013 annual appeal · leadership solicitation letter ... motivated by the causes...

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