1288 Valley Forge Road, Suite 82, Phoenixville, PA 19460 800-873-9203

1288 Valley Forge Road, Suite 82, Phoenixville, PA 19460 | 800-873-9203 |

File Name: 2010.doc/jp

TopicYear-End Giving / Planning

Marketing UseMarketing Starter Series

Suggested FormatSolicitation Letter – to be mailed in the fall

No. of Words329

As you know, the end of the year is a strategic time to touch base with prospects. You are compelling them to make those year-end gifts that are so vital to your organization.

This is also an ideal time to highlight the kinds of gifts that don’t even require donors to open their checkbooks. This end-of-year solicitation letter touches on appreciated securities, bequests and charitable gift annuities. The copy encourages your donors to think outside the box about creative ways to support your organization’s mission in a way that benefits them as well.

We suggest putting a teaser on the envelope to create a sense of urgency. For example: Your reply is needed within 10 days. Or: The clock is ticking…

WORD COUNT: 329

[PERSONALIZED ADDRESS]

[DATE]

Dear [NAME],

I wish I didn’t have to do this.

I’m about to interrupt your nice autumn day and make you think about taxes.

True, April 15th is still a ways off. But time is running out to make your charitable contributions that will lower your bill to Uncle Sam.

I’m writing this afternoon to invite you to make a gift to [ORGANIZATION FULL NAME] before December 31st. We are counting on our friends and supporters to help us wrap up this year strong and head into the new year equipped to accomplish our mission.

Of course we need and appreciateyour immediate gifts of cash. But if you have appreciated stocks, bonds or mutual fund shares, you may want to give them instead and keep your cash! Why? Because you receive greater tax benefits when you donate appreciated securities. You get an income tax deduction and you avoid capital gains.

I also want to remind you about the gifts that cost you nothing during your lifetime and gifts that return significant benefits back to you, even beyond a tax deduction. I’m talking about strategic planned gifts like a tribute gift through your will that leaves a lasting statement about what’s most important to you. Or a charitable gift annuity that provides you or a loved one a steady stream of extra retirement income, while at the same time supports our mission far into the future.

Please, don’t set this letter aside and forget about it. Right now while everything is in front of you, take a moment right now to make your tax-saving, mission-accomplishing, year-end gift.

With gratitude,

[YOUR NAME]

P.S. There’s time to make your gift happen before the end of the year, but you need to act soon. Call me. Here’s my direct number— 123.456.7890 ext. 99. I’d be glad to collaborate with your advisors to structure your special gift in a way that works best for you and your loved ones.

[CONTACT INFORMATION INCLUDING WEBSITE URL]

Always include this disclaimer or an abbreviation of it where possible

This publication is intended to provide general gift planning information. Our organization is not qualified to provide specific legal, tax or investment advice, and this publication should not be looked to or relied upon as a source for such advice. Consult with your own legal and financial advisors before making any gift.

Important. Please Read:

This material is copyrighted

Please respect our work by not transferring, loaning, or reselling our materials. That’s plagiarism, and it’s also a violation of copyright law.

Purchaser agrees to place a copyright notice on this material before distributing it (either use our name or your organization’s name) unless the material is used as a solicitation letter.

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