End of Year Ask SAMPLES

Here are a few of our favorite end-of-year asks to help you get inspired.

(See also End-of-Year Ask for the method behind the madness.)

At the end of  a prayer letter: 

The Holiday Challenge, email campaign: 

This ask from the Reedy family in Japan was sent to supporters on 12/22, and then an update email was sent on 12/29. Here are the emails: 

• A Holiday Challenge
• Challenge Update!

Sample 1

A few thoughts from our friend, Dave Dickens, at Cru:

Many of us don’t have a specific need beyond losing support over the past year. A few years ago, my wife Nancy and I scripted an ask which we felt was compelling, visionary, and not need-driven. After sharing a changed life story, we wrote the following:

This gives us great anticipation for all the Lord will do in 2017! He continues to provide opportunities for greater impact and broader scope, and we continue to trust Him for the resources to match that vision. As you may know, year-end giving is significant to our overall budget. This year, we are trusting the Lord for an additional $7,000 in year-end gifts. Would you consider giving a gift of $500, $250, or $100?

Sample 2

(recap what the year’s giving has helped you accomplish) During the past year, we have expanded our ministry quite a bit. In the summer, we launched E3 ministries and hired part-time local staff for resource translation work and communication. Over the past few months, we have increased our hospitality expenses as we host both an outreach dinner and Sunday gathering at our home each week. (affirm their generosity) All of these things we have been able to do out of the surplus of your generosity towards us, without needing to raise any additional funds! (highlight your upcoming needs) Next year, we will also be expanding our family in both number and age, which will bring extra expenses. (make the ask) As you think about year-end giving, please consider the ministry here. Please also pray about how you may be able to begin or increase your regular monthly gifts. 
Include ornament or photo greeting card in mailing. Here are a  few sample ornaments:

Sample 3

This letter was from a field worker who was in his Initial MTD phase. In it, he affirms his supporter’s generosity, recaps what their giving has helped him accomplish, talks about what the church he’s raising support to work with is accomplishing, shares a few testimonial quotes with pictures, then makes the ask. Here are the highlights from that letter:

Sample 4

This letter was from a field worker who was in his Initial MTD phase but at 90%. 

As most of you know, this ministry is almost entirely funded by the generous donations of people who want to see the Gospel go forward on college campuses. To date, we're at nearly 90% of our monthly goal. Each and every day, I am grateful for all of you who generously and sacrificially give your resources to make this possible. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. I hope you can see that we're stewarding your gifts well and that they are making an impact for the kingdom of God.

As we approach the end of the year, I wanted to talk briefly about end-of-the-year giving. Many people make contributions to non-profits at the end of the calendar year. Whether you usually do or not, I'd like to ask you to prayerfully consider making an end-of-the-year gift to our ministry. Please allow me to offer three reasons why this is a worthy investment:

1. We're making an impact. Each week, more than 120 college students are impacted by our ministry. They're coming to faith, joining community groups, reaching out, and developing as leaders.

2. There's a ripple effect. The students we minister to here go on to have families work at engineering firms, open dentist offices, etc. These students are taking the good news of Jesus with them across the globe when they leave.

3. There's more to be done. The Louisville metro area is home to more than 50,000 college students. Even if you combine all of the evangelical campus ministries, at best, we're only engaging 5% of them. These students need to hear that Jesus deeply loves them. Your giving creates opportunities to do that.

All gifts are tax-deductible. To count for the 2015 fiscal year, they must be made online by December 31st or postmarked by that day. You can give here: reliant.org/stuart.owens.

Samples of asks for a specific need:

Note: with special need asks (raising toward a specific amount), it’s wise to send this letter in batches to particular people and follow up with a contact (phone call, email, or text message). 

Sample 1

This letter was from an international field worker who has been in Sustaining MTD for many years but had an urgent need arise. This letter was sent to people who were not current financial supporters.

(Affirm the relationship.)

We are so grateful for your friendship and prayers for us. This letter includes an important update that will give you some insight into what's going on in this season of our lives.

(give some background of the situation.)

(List the amount needed)

(make the ask)

We are asking you, our closest friends, if you would be praying for us during this season. Second, would you consider being part of bearing the burden of the cost to get our family the help that is needed? 

Sample 2

This letter was from an international field worker who was living in the field and raising for a vehicle purchase. 

(give some background) Over the past couple of months, we have been seeing the need for us to buy our own vehicle. We currently borrow an old small car from our friends. We would like to be able to pass it on to another family in July and purchase something that would accommodate our family plus a few, as many of the people we work with do not have a means of transportation. After much research and some test drives, we have found a nice “station wagon” that seats 7 adults. (affirm their generosity) We have already been blessed by the generosity of many to receive special donations toward this gift (list the amount needed) but still need approximately $6,000 to cover the rest of the purchase and necessary tax and registration fees. (make the ask) Would you consider giving a special financial gift to help us purchase our vehicle? (instruct how to give/ communicate with you) You can follow the “Give” link below. Please let us know if you have any questions.