I've talked a lot about the note we put with the Hoboken Shelter's August newsletter in prior posts. I just posted it as a note on Facebook and I am hoping people appreciate the time we put into sending a little note along. It was no easy task combining a thank you, with an ask and tying it in the newsletter. And it was a delicate discussion as to whether or not we should ask supporters for money via the mail aside from at the holidays. (I was a 'yes' vote). I am already noting places I think we could improve and getting ideas for the holiday mailing to share with the committee and E.D. but I think overall it's great we started including a somewhat personalized note to send with the mailing. My mom thought it was nice when she received it.
The reason I thought the note was important is because the newsletter is the only mailing going to donors they are not receiving "asks" also throughout the year in addition to the newsletter. They typically sent a letter at the holidays and that was it. This was on a third of an 81/2x11 sheet and fit just over the newsletter in a number 10 envelope. Again, because it had stats, thanked the donor, shared with the donor what the community accomplished, referenced a successful client and made an ask I think it is a successful round 1 attempt.
Here is the text we came up with that went out as part of the August newsletter...
Dear Friends,
I want to take a moment to say THANK YOU!
It
is because of your generosity that 76 guests have moved into their own
homes and 78,041 meals have been served so far this year. I am sincerely
grateful for your dedication to our important work.
Your
gift truly make a difference in the lives of our guests. In the
newsletter you'll meet a lovely women named Yvette, who is a
successfully housed guest. She worked her whole life to take of her
family and other people's families, but then found herself out of work
and homeless. Thanks to our caring community, you helped us get her back
on her feet and now she has keys to her own home!
Every
day guests like Yvette count on us for food and shelter. Without your
support, we could not continue to open our doors to our homeless
neighbors on their journeys to homes of their own. I hope you'll
consider a gift to support our life-changing work.
Your
support is critical to moving our homeless neighbors from the streets to
our shelter to their own homes. With your help, I know we can end
homelessness one person at a time. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Jaclyn Cherubini, MPA
Executive Director
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