How To Create a Successful Letter Writing Campaign!

One of the easiest and most effective ways to raise money for your Take Steps team is to create a letter writing campaign. By simply drafting a “Dear Family and Friends,” letter explaining why you and your family are participating Take Steps, you can easily reach a wide range of supporters and receive a lot of donations.


Step 1: Develop Your Mailing List

Who will you send your letter to? Remember, the larger your distribution list, the larger your results. Be sure to include the following groups in your letter mailing list: address book, rolodex, holiday card list, church/club directories, vendors, classmates, roommates, teachers, neighbors, co-workers, teammates, fraternal/alumni groups, businesses you frequent, business colleagues & anyone else you can think of!

Step 2: Write Your Personal Letter

The most effective letter will come directly from your heart. Personal stories and experience have the greatest impact on your reader and will raise money.

Suggested things to include:

• Your personal story and reason why you involved in the walk

• Your fund-raising goal

• A deadline for donations and reminder that donations are tax-deductible

• A link to your Team website to make donations (www.cctakesteps.org/louisville)

• A reminder that checks should be made out to CCFA

• A photo of your family member or friend with IBD (if applicable)

• An invitation to join your team and fundraise, too!

Sample letters are available to help get you started. If you would like assistance writing your letter, call our office at (646) 623-2620 or e-mail Jenny Silberisen at jsilberisen@ccfa.org

Step 3: Increase Your Response

Once your letter is written, here are a few tips for increasing the donations you receive from your letter campaign:

1. Personalize each letter with the recipient’s name. You can use your word processor’s mail merge function for this. Another way would be to copy the letter with the salutation “Dear ________” and hand-write the person’s name.

2. Personally sign each letter. If possible, use blue ink so it doesn’t look like the letter was simply photocopied. Also, include a brief personal note below your signature. It can be as simple as “Thanks in advance, Bob!”

3. Use actual stamps instead of a postage meter.

4. Handwrite the envelopes. The more personal your letter looks, the more likely the recipient will open it and respond.

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Step 4: Mail Your Letters

Ideally, your letters should go out 6-8 weeks before the walk



Step 5: Collect the Money

Collect donations at home and/or encourage your contacts to donate online on your Walk Team webpage.



Step 6: Write Your Thank You Notes

Be sure to send out thank your notes or letters to all of your supporters announcing your success.