Anatomy of a Donor Letter

Just like surgeons need to know the shape of the skeleton, the physical layout of the internal organs, and the connective tissues of the muscles and ligaments in order to perform a delicate surgery, fundraisers need to know the essentials of a good letter in order to effectively reach their audience and encourage maximum giving. From what to include (a PS, of course!) and what to exclude (condescension and jargon, obviously), to how it all looks, a good letter takes skill as well as an understanding of current best practices.
In this interactive session, a fundraising consultant (Amie) and a copywriter (Stephan) will show you the essential elements of a good fundraising letter. Live examples from local and national organizations will be used to highlight the good, the bad, and (occasionally) the ugly.
Attendees will leave with specific tools and resource recommendations, including a checklist to help them better plan and deliver their next control-beating letter.

About the Presenters

Amie Bossi, MPPA, CFRE is an independent fundraising consultant who has worked with numerous local nonprofits in various roles to improve their operations and expand their revenue. Her experience covers everything from direct mail to major gifts for nonprofits in the St. Louis region and beyond. She can be reached at amiebossi9@gmail.com.
Stephan Mathys is a freelance copywriter who has written letters, e-mails, grants, and other marketing and fundraising content for missions in the St. Louis area and across the country. His prior career as an insurance data specialist allows him to not only offer content creation but strategic planning and financial forecasting skill. He can be reached at stephan@sjmcopywriting.com