Building a Mailing List of Relationships for an Appeal for Support.
Special Project, End of the Year, Beginning of the Year AND/OR Other. . .
Our goal is to help you develop a “Mailing List of Relationship and/or Contacts” with whom you can share your vision and ask for them to join you in supporting the work and in bringing the vision along the path to fruition.
1) We encourage you to snail-mail by letter to up to 100 or 200 to start with. So, start an Excel file for name, address, city, state and zip OR make a written list of the same. This letter will contain a cover letter, a Second Page Summary of Programs, etc., AND a quart- or third-page Response Card. Send it to people whom you know, have known and are vested in helping to help others, too (org's, individuals, schools, members, etc.). I suggest to 75% to individuals, 15% to businesses or corporations, 10% to churches or civic groups.
Keep the following “rule of thumb” in mind based upon Research: When you ask someone for up to $500 or less, it is perfectly okay to mail them something. A Covid-19-type-letter, it is perfectly normal to sign in blue ink (or run through your printer again), tri-fold it, stuff it in a #10 envelope, hand address it in blue ink and mail the request first class. However, for requests more than $500, it should be hand-delivered if possible OR mailed in a 9 X 12 envelope OR Priority Mail envelope. You would still sign in blue ink and write a comment on it BUT do not fold it. Hand address the envelope in blue ink and mail it either first class (if mailing them to individuals or more than 5 sent out). If fewer than 5, it will pay you a return to mail substantial requests Priority Mail.
You should always have your Board Members hand deliver 5 or so of ANY letter you mail (but especially when you are asking for $500 or more) and follow-up after 10 to 14 days of consideration. Send some to your key Volunteers and Supporters Also, these larger requests should ALWAYS be followed-up in person prior to your goal. Generally, at 4 weeks or so AFTER the request. We have numerous Samples of these letters (and complete sets of some topic samples) AND even samples of envelopes we can provide by request of Bob@ArtfulAskers.com.
2) Emailing the appeal letter out is an option(albeit not as good an option for our first choice). So, also start an email List if you do NOT have mailing addresses. An email will have the above letter of appeal as a pdf attachment BUT the email itself will ONLY be 2 or 3 paragraphs with a substantial and complete “tag.” Something such as:
Greetings to you as a supporter of youth in Johnson County, Kansas! As you know, young people are facing huge barriers today! Covid-19 has changed their education processes. Many have been coupled at home with family and contrary schedules and areas of interest. More than you know are strongly battling mental and emotional health issues.
We want to help these young people TODAY! Please look at the attached document and let’s talk! Thank you for your concern about the youth of our area! Bless you!
Bob Vickers, Founder and President (Followed by a complete “email tag” which should be a part of EVERY email).
- - - - -
Serving and empowering the youth of Johnson County, Kansas.
Train Youth. Grow Community. Steward Creation
Youth Camps
P.O. Box 1234
Gardner, KS 66030
(913) 123-4567
Bob@YouthCamps.org
www.YouthCamps.org
3) Work with Bob or someone to develop a longer-range plan. Acquire independent Research documents and get help from a Board Member to look them up and apply online for them. MOST of the grants can be applied for online and each takes around 5 to 7 to 10 hours or so. BUT you can cut and paste from the materials you develop in advance to make it go smooth and consistent. EVERYTHING takes time! But good comes from the investment of time! Start with Bob’s $250 Year End/Covid Letter Appeal and out of the proceeds, engage in the Proposal development for $500, etc. Start with something less than $1,000 and let everything pay for itself! Email Bob@ArtfulAskers.comfor more information OR visit www.ArtfulAskers.com. Keep in mind, though. If you ask for them to consider helping you with referrals in a Year End/Covid Letter, you MUST be prepared sooner THAN later with your next document. And you need to have your Thank yous to engage ASAP!
To help jog your thoughts for people to include, here are some clues. . .First-Generation (I KNOW them) and Second-Generation (I know someone who KNOWS them) Connections and Relationships.
1. With You (scribble names on this sheet and look up addresses afterward): WRITE NAMES ON SIDE! --employer and previous employers. --church and previous churches.
--civic group or previous civic group. --neighbor or in previous homes.
--donors to previous work you’ve been involved in. --Add other things to consider. . .
2. With your Spouse:
--employer and previous employers. --church and previous churches.
--civic group or previous civic group. --neighbor or in previous homes.
--donors to previous work they’ve been involved in.
3. With your family-members (individually): Children, parents, aunts, uncles, etc.
--employer and previous employers. --church and previous churches.
--civic group or previous civic group. --neighbor or in previous homes.
--donors to previous work they’ve been involved in.
4. With your family-members’ friends and their employers: Children, parents, aunts, uncles, etc.
--employer and previous employers. --church and previous churches.
--civic group or previous civic group. --neighbor or in previous homes.
--donors to previous work they’ve been involved in.
5. With your friends (individually) and potentially groups your friends’ employers.
--employer and previous employers. --church and previous churches.
--civic group or previous civic group. --neighbor or in previous homes.
--donors to previous work they’ve been involved in.
6. With your friends’ friends and their employers your acquaintances.
--employer and previous employers. --church and previous churches.
--civic group or previous civic group. --neighbor or in previous homes.
--donors to previous work they’ve been involved in.
7. With the people with which you do business in your community or city. Store Managers, service providers, etc.
--employer and previous employers. --church and previous churches.
--civic group or previous civic group. --neighbor or in previous homes.
--donors to previous work they’ve been involved in.
8. With Manufacturers and large companies in your suburbs around your city.
--employer and previous employers. --church and previous churches.
--civic group or previous civic group. --neighbor or in previous homes.
--donors to previous work you’ve been involved in.
9. With Your Board Members:
--employer and previous employers. --church and previous churches.
--civic group or previous civic group. --neighbor or in previous homes.
--donors to previous work you’ve been involved in.
--We will also ask your Board Members to hand-deliver 3 to 5 each.
10. With People that are active in your organization, key supporters, even volunteers: same progression as above.
--employer and previous employers. --church and previous churches.
--civic group or previous civic group. --neighbor or in previous homes.
--donors to previous work they’ve been involved in.
11. With Your Current Donors: same progression as above.
--employer and previous employers. --church and previous churches.
--civic group or previous civic group. --neighbor or in previous homes.
--donors to previous work they’ve been involved in.
12. With Prospective Donors: same progression as above.
--employer and previous employers. --church and previous churches.
--civic group or previous civic group. --neighbor or in previous homes.
--donors to previous work they’ve been involved in.
13. Geographic Considerations:
--Higher Net-worth people in your area.
--Utility companies in your city, area, state, region.
--Corporations with a presence in your city, area, state, region, home office, regional office, manufacturing and/or production facility, numerous locations (major presence), single facility or outlet (minor presence), residence, education, history, etc.
14. Field of Interest:
--Who are the people or groups of people who would like to serve those whom you are serving?
--Who are the people who have an interest in accomplishing what you want to accomplish?
--Who are the churches that may be interested in co-laboring with you in your community?
If you are using a Year End/Covid-19 Letter AND a Special Request Letter, divide your Lists into 2 different Lists. You should identify people with larger capacity gifts to receive your Special Request Letter and deliver it accordingly.
Questions, Additional Information or Need Help? Contact:
Bob Vickers bob@ArtfulAskers.com(this is the preferred method of contact)
Artful Askers (660) 580-0007, cell for brief texts/calls
400 West Acorn St. Zoom or Skype: Bob.vickers3
Gardner, KS 66030 website: www.ArtfulAskers.com
Please remember: Bob is an educator NOT a consultant.He will help you gain the knowledge, learn what to do and how to get ready, help you with a written document, engage in the process, provide Ideas and Suggestions and help you to help yourself. As a Mentor, Coach, Encourager, Empowerer, Inspirer, Adviser and Assistant, he will help you to be successful such that you can help yourself and others, too! Although his goal is to help you with NO NEED to hire anyone, he is available on a limited basis, for assistance and bills out between $28 and $35 per hour. Info about blocks of time and other assistance is on www.ArtfulAskers.com. You can pay for ANY resource through www.ArtfulAskers.comusing PayPal OR can mail a check payable to “Bob Vickers” at the above address. He schedules research and writing time after receiving a check or PayPal receipt that it has been paid.
Bob charges: $250 for a Year End Covid Letter., $500 for a Proposal AND/OR Special Project Request Letter (each), $250 for a set of ALL 3 Thank You Letters (IRS sufficient Receipt/Thank You/Donor Education, Thank You ANYWAY and Thank You Volunteer) and includes an envelope in MSWord to run through your printer easily. The entire package COMPLETE SET start-to-finish is $1,999and will include ongoing coaching and Research files and advice.
Also, check out the following to find ALL the principles in video format available online TODAY!:
www.PerceptionFunding.org (online learning platform with 40-plus online videos from a religious paradigm under E-Courses—VERY affordable and can pay small amount monthly.)
www.GiveTransform.org (online giving platform for various giving options)
Developing Contacts–Flannel Boarding Exercise
(this is the Billy Graham exercise I talked about. . .)
Think Contacts and Relationships. Think Christian—but not exclusively. . .
Rather, active in community and support your cause or share Vision.
• Gather 6 or 8 people together (Board Members, key Volunteers, with several different groups, etc.).
• Active in Related Issues.
• Various backgrounds not homogenous.
• Active in Business and Community Affairs.
• Active in Groups/Organizations.
Commit to a disciplined 1.5 hours.
1st 15 min: silently write/record names of people, contacts and businesses.
2nd 30 min: talk through connections out loud.
3rd 15 min: silently finish list.
4th 30 min: talk through list and assign contacts by date!
Think relationships–NOT money!
1. Bankers:
2. Builders/Construction Workers:
3. Business Owners:
4. Car Dealers/Salesman:
5. Company Executives:
6. Computer People:
7. Computer Store/Programmer:
8. Corporations located within your city:
9. Developers:
10. Distributors:
11. Doctors:
12. Pediatricians:
13. Dentists:
14. Orthodontists:
15. General Practitioners:
16. OB GYNs:
17. Surgeons:
18. Dermatologists:
19. Veterinarians:
20. Psychologists/Counselors:
21. Psychiatrists:
22. Optometrist/Ophthalmologists:
23. Doctor of Osteopathy:
24. Chiropractor:
25. Engineers:
26. Entrepreneurs:
27. Famous Community Members/Celebrities:
28. Famous “Graduates” and Others From Area:
29. Farmers:
30. Federal Government Employees:
31. Firemen:
32. Franchise Owners/Managers:
33. McDonald’s:
34. Taco Bell:
35. Walmart:
36. Pizza Huts/Inns:
37. Sonic:
38. Kentucky Fried Chicken:
39. Burger King:
40. Chick-fil-A:
41. Government officials:
42. City:
43. County:
44. State:
45. National/Federal:
46. Representatives/Senators:
47. Insurance Salespeople:
48. “Investment” people:
49. Judges:
50. Lawyers:
51. Lumber Yard Personnel:
52. Mail Carriers/Postal Workers:
53. Managers:
54. Ministers:
55. Pastors:
56. Youth Ministers:
57. Deacons/Elders:
58. Motel Owners:
59. New Wealth Families:
60. Nonprofit organization people:
61. Executive Directors:
62. Board Members:
63. Directors:
64. Active Members:
65. Constituents:
66. Nursing Home Administrators:
67. Oil/Gas Distributor:
68. Old Wealth Families:
69. Peace Officers (Police, Highway Patrol):
70. Pharmacists:
71. Print Media Personalities:
72. Radio Personalities:
73. Realtors/Brokers:
74. Restaurant Owners:
75. Retail Store Owners:
76. Retired People:
77. School District Executives:
78. Scientists/Researchers:
79. State Employees:
80. Teachers:
81. Elementary:
82. Middle School:
83. Junior High:
84. High School:
85. College:
86. Coaches:
87. Theater People/Television Personalities:
88. Trucking Firms:
89. University Extension People:
90. Utilities Executives:
91. Vocational Technical School People:
92. Hospital Executives:
93. Grocery Store Managers:
94. People Involved in Youth Work in the Community
Other Categories/Other People:
Have your Board Members/Volunteers/staff fill this out so as to track the contacts and be able to follow-up.
The 2 to 5 people that I will personally contact and deliver a proposal to:
1. __________________________ by / / @ ________
2. __________________________by / / @ ________
3. __________________________ by / / @ ________
4. __________________________ by / / @ ________
5. __________________________ by / / @ ________
Ask your Board Members and key leaders to help:
1. Deliver a few generic proposals to contacts they know.
2. Follow-up on the ones they deliver within 7 days and engage their relationships.
3. Gather the contributions and write thank yous. (But you do thank yous too.)
4. Get your sufficient Thank you AND Thank you ANYWAY letters ready!
