Adoption can be expensive for a lot of reasons. This means you may do some adoption fundraising.
Many families have written an adoption fundraising letter asking for contributions, and sent it out family, friends, and wherever they can. The following adoption fundraising letter template will help give you a better idea of how to write an adoption fundraising letter effectively:
Tell Your Story
You don’t have to share every detail of your journey to become a family. But talking briefly about your relationship, your family, and your decision to adopt will help people feel included in that story. Adoption stories are rooted deeply in love, so share your own family’s story.
Let people know who you are, how you’ve come this far, and where you want to go.
Be Honest and Speak from Your Heart
Be yourself, and be forthright about how and why you need financial assistance for this adoption process. Including specific details and statistics about adoption and your costs can help people understand why you’re reaching out for help and where their money would be going.
A heartfelt plea is going to touch more people than a coldly outstretched palm, right? But don’t overdo it. This is an emotional time, but consider how an excess of flowery or sappy language might seem to someone reading your adoption donation letter. Bit of a turn off.
So be honest about what you need and how you feel, but keep it simple.
Be Clear About What You’re Doing to Raise Funds and the Financial Sacrifices You’re Making
People are much more likely to donate if they know that you’re already doing everything that you can to raise money on your own. They also want to know that you’re not living extravagantly while they donate their hard-earned money to your cause.
So it’s helpful to be specific about what you’ve done so far to come up with the money for the adoption costs, as well as what you plan to continue to do to raise funds. Let people know about any financial sacrifices you’ve made to afford your adoption; budget cuts, extra hours put in at work, or loans you’ve taken out.
Again — be honest about your finances and why you’re sending out adoption fundraising letters. Tell your readers exactly where their money will go, what you’ll do with it, and how you plan to continue to come up with money on your own, as well.
Show Them Who You Are
Include a photo or two! Once again, it’s best to err on the side of simplicity. Don’t send them a whole family photo album.
But a nice, professional-quality photo of you and your family together that showcases who you are is a great addition to your adoption fundraiser letter. No selfies, ok? Keep it classy.
Be Specific About Your Needs
You’ve already outlined your specific adoption costs in your adoption fundraising letter, so now you can make it easier for them to donate towards those costs. Include your deadline for your adoption fundraising goal, and enclose an envelope with prepaid postage that includes a response card with check boxes for suggested donations, such as $25, $50, $100, and “Other” $___.
Remind them that anything they can afford to contribute will help, and be clear about the easiest way for them to donate safely. Asking for money is always awkward, so if you need any help finding an appropriate way to phrase something, give your adoption specialist a call for some suggestions!
And of course, avoid being pushy. Not everyone can or will donate, and it’ll be appreciated if you kindly state your understanding of that fact in your letter.
Don’t Forget to Send a Thank You!
The thing your mother always nagged you about is still important. As soon as you receive a donation from someone, send them a personal thank you note.
It doesn’t need to be long, but it should be from the heart and sent as soon as possible. Let them know what their donation means for your family. Every dollar puts you a little closer to a lifetime of giggles, scraped knees, and the family of your dreams.
It also doesn’t hurt to send a follow-up letter offering a second round of fundraising a few months after your first adoption fundraising letter goes out. The second letter can talk about how much closer you are to your goal, where you’re at in the adoption process, and how you’ve progressed. You might not need that letter, but if you fell very short of your initial goal, it may get you a bit closer.
Be sure to send out a “Welcome Home”-type announcement to everyone who received your adoption donation letter when the time comes, so they can share in your good news when your adoption is complete and your child is home.
Need more suggestions about how to write an adoption fundraising letter? Call 1-800-ADOPTION now to speak to an adoption specialist about financing your adoption.
