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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 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."
Expand 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 to 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.
Expand 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 upups!
Sample EOYA Letter
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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Dear (Name),
As the end of the year is quickly approaches, I have the honor of inviting you to prayerfully consider a Christmastime giving opportunity. You are one of my distinctive (treasured, esteemed) ministry partners because you enjoy giving special gifts. Not only does the Lord love your cheerful giving, but your gifts have uplifted me, encouraged me and kept me going in ministry to _______. As someone who has helped to encourage me in ministry in the past, I felt it necessary to invite you to again consider sowing generously into introducing (people group) to the transformative power of Jesus.
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- We're making an impact. Each week, more than (# of people group) are impacted by our ministry. They're coming to faith, joining community groups, reaching out, and developing as leaders.
- There's a ripple effect. The The (people group) we minister to here go on to have families, work at engineering firms, open dentist offices, etc. The good news of Jesus goes with them into their homes, the lives of their children, and across the globe.
- 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 __% of them. These (students) need to hear that Jesus deeply loves them. Your giving creates opportunities to do that.
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All gifts are tax-deductible.
To count for the 2023 2024 fiscal year, gifts must be made online or online or postmarked by December 31st.
Online giving: (type out your If the Lord is moving you to contribute, giving can be done …
Online: [Your Reliant giving page URL here)
Mailing address-or- QR code linking to your page]
By mail: Reliant Mission, ATTN: Gift Services, 11002 Lake Hart Dr., Orlando, FL 32832 *Please include (my [your name) ] and FD# ______ [Fund Number] on the memo line.
