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• We invite people to give toward vision and what God is doing. We do not ask them to give to our deficit. avoid terms such as; need, shortfall, crisis, and lack of funding. "Help me get backpay" is not inspiring. "Empower me to reach the lost with the gospel" is. Bonus points for including a ministry story (the best ones are about one person who is named vs a large group of unnamed people).
  
  
• We personalize the communication as much as possible. A 1:1 ask is the most effective. This letter can be used to start that conversation, but please plan to ask your targeted your targeted list of people personally. At a minimum, take the time to mail merge so your letter is addressed to the person vs an impersonal "Dear friend." 
  

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  title The best names to include on your list.
  Multiexcerpt include MultiExcerptName Gather Your Names PageWithExcerpt The Easy Peasy EOYA shouldDisplayInlineCommentsInIncludes false

• We plan for letters hit mailboxes (or in-boxes) before Thanksgiving.  You’ll want to beat the Christmas cards (and Christmas spending). Some recommend sending a letter before Thanksgiving, followed up with a phone call after Thanksgiving. 
  
  
• We tell people what is needed to meet the goal. Have to raise $40K? Let people know. Don't be vague about what it's going to take to get you into a healthy spot so you can run this race with perseverance (Hebrews 12:2). This amount could be a great question to put before the Lord, so you have that confidence behind the number. 

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  title How to calculate an amount to put into your EOYA.
  Multiexcerpt include MultiExcerptName Determine an amount PageWithExcerpt The Easy Peasy EOYA shouldDisplayInlineCommentsInIncludes false

• We encourage them to seek the Lord on what to give. We disciple our donors to seek the Lord on what He wants them to do with His money. 
  
  
• We include the mailing address. Online giving is great, but end-of-year tends to see more paper checks. It's wise to include the Reliant mailing address along with your giving link in your EOYA communication. 
  
  
• We personally follow up with a call or text. When it comes to securing the gift, the 1:1 ask and the proceeding follow-up is far more important than this letter. If you're going to spend your time on something, let it be on personal asks and follow up! 

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It's recommended you snail mail this letter to a targeted list of 20-40 people, then follow it up with a personal call to invite them to give. As a soft follow-up to your call, you can also email a copy of the letter. 

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