Global Village Fundraising Handbook (Page 33 of 44) in pdf

APPENDIX 2

Appendix 2

Sample appeal letters

Traditional

Dear __________,

How are you? I saw on Facebook that you recently welcomed a baby girl into your family. Congratulations!

I’m writing today because I am seeking support for a cause I care deeply about. As you know, I’ve

been volunteering on and o with Habitat for Humanity’s local program in Minneapolis for the past

couple years. I have experienced rst-hand how building a safe, a ordable and decent home for a family

not only changes that family’s living conditions but changes their lives. When children grow up with the

security of having a roof over their heads, miraculous things can happen. Kids who never would have

even graduated from high school suddenly have the solid foundation that allows them to go to college.

Communities that were unsafe for decades are rebuilt by families living in clean, decent homes, and

entire communities start to transform.

Recently, I had the honor of being chosen for a Habitat Global Village team where I will travel in

September with 12 others to Nepal. Nearly 90 percent of Nepal’s population who live in the country’s

plains and mountain regions work primarily as subsistence farmers. One of the families we will work

with lives in a small, one-room house made with a mud oor and a thatched-grass roof.

e roof leaks

o en during Nepal’s rainy season, and the house is not strong enough to withstand heavy wind.

Habitat Nepal’s goal is to help more families like the Rajbanshis create safe, healthy homes. And it’s

doing so through an initiative called Save & Build. Families can join together to pool their savings and

resources.

en, thanks to volunteers and donors, Habitat Nepal can match what each Save & Build

group raises.

is hastens construction, because families can build in stages as funds are raised.

Habitat works with these partner families to ensure cost-e ective, eco-friendly construction. In

eastern Nepal, for instance, Habitat has trained partner families in bamboo cultivation and how to use

bamboo technology in house building. And partner families dedicate at least 400 sweat-equity hours

building their own houses — and houses for other families in their savings group! It is truly an honor to

be able to help this family and their future.

Today I’m asking that you consider supporting me and my team as we embark on this journey. It

costs only $2,000 to complete a new Habitat house in Nepal. Each house includes two rooms, plus a sit-

ting room, kitchen and bathroom. Our team hopes to raise $10,000 to build ve new homes in Nepal.

Please consider giving as generously as you can. You can give online at my personal fundraising

Web page or send a check to me, made out to Habitat for Humanity

International. I will bundle all the checks I receive and send them together on Aug. 1.

ank you in advance for your support. Please feel free to call me with any questions.

Global Village Fundraising Handbook Page 33