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Letter Writing

Tips and Samples

To begin your letter writing campaign all you have to do is log in to your fundraising page at www.habitat-buildathon.org and click on the Email button. Each email you send will include a link to your Build-a-Thon account where your supporters can make a secure donation online.

Helpful hints
  • Use one of our templates below (make sure to personalize it with your name, fundraising goal, and volunteer commitment)
  • Include a photo of you volunteering (with Habitat if available).
  • Upload photos and tell your story on your webpage so that your supporters really understand your connection to Habitat.
  • A matching gift by a company (yours or a friend's) can DOUBLE your support.
  • See our Creative Fundraising Tips and Ideas guide to supplement your letter campaign.
If you prefer to send letters by mail:
  • Keep it short and make it personal
  • Share why you are participating in the Build-a-Thon and what your fundraising goal is
  • Provide information about Habitat for Humanity. Here are a few suggestions…
    • Habitat for Humanity exists to ensure access to safe, durable, affordable homes that help children and families thrive.
    • Every 10 minutes a Habitat house is started somewhere in the world.
    • For every $100 we raise in King County, $90 is used to build homes in our own neighborhoods and $10 is used to help build homes around the globe.
    • The benefits of homeownership and proper housing are astounding: families are stronger, children are healthier, communities are safer.
    • More than 1.6 billion people around the world live in substandard housing. This must change. The change starts at HOME!
  • Close by saying thank you and asking your supporters to make a fully tax deductible donation either:
    • Online at www.habitat-buildathon.org
    • By check (make sure your name and "Build-a-Thon" is written in the memo line of the check and mail it directly to the affiliate
      Habitat Seattle/South King County
      Attn: Build-a-Thon
      PO Box 88337
      Tukwila, WA 98138
      Habitat East King County
      Attn: Build-a-Thon
      16315 NE 87th St., Suite B-5
      Redmond, WA 98073

    Your fundraising webpage will remain online for some time after the Build-a-Thon. We encourage you to keep your fundraising going even after the event. This is a great way to continue to spread awareness about the Habitat mission and your connection to our work. If you receive checks directly from your supporters (before or after the event) please mail them to the affiliate of your choice and we will make sure they are reflected in your fundraising progress.

    Sample Letters

    Habitat for Humanity Seattle/South King County 

    Example 1

    Dear (insert name(s)),

    Habitat for Humanity is a hand up, not a hand out! Through the hard work, determination, and compassion of volunteers, family partners and supporters, Habitat builds lives, relationships and communities, one house at a time. Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit housing developer dedicated to building safe, durable and affordable homes in partnership with low-income families.

     

    Habitat for Humanity Seattle/South King County is hosting their 3rd Annual Build-a-Thon between September 27th and October 2nd. I am thrilled to tell you that I am participating! What is a Build-a-Thon? Much like sponsoring miles walked in a Walk-a-Thon, I am inviting you to sponsor my volunteer hours for Habitat and be a part of this exciting community event.

     

    As a participant in the Build-a-Thon my personal goal is to raise $(insert fundraising goal) or more to help families in King County achieve the dream of first-time home ownership. You can help right now by sponsoring my volunteer hours with Habitat. It’s easy! Just go to www.habitat-buildathon.org to make a secure online donation today. If you prefer to write a check please make it payable to Habitat for Humanity and send it to (insert affiliate contact information). 

     

    Why is this so important? Because only 14% of King County housing is available to households earning below 50% of median income (HDC, 2006).This must change. You can lead the way by sponsoring my volunteer hours with the Habitat for Humanity Build-a-Thon!

     

    If you have any questions please contact me at (your phone # and email). If you have any questions about Habitat for Humanity or the Build-a-Thon please visit www.habitat-buildathon.org for more information. You can help us change lives!

     

    Thanks in advance for your support,

     

    Your Signature

    Your address/phone/email

     

    P.S. We can even start a Build-a-Thon team together! Go to www.habitat-buildathon.org and choose “I want to Participate!”

     

    Habitat for Humanity of Seattle/South King County and Habitat for Humanity of East King County

     are IRS-Designated 501(c)(3) organizations. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.


    Example 2

    Dear (name(s)),

     

    I am participating in King County’s third annual Habitat for Humanity Build-a-Thon to raise awareness and funds for a future without substandard housing. Habitat for Humanity builds safe, affordable, durable homes in partnership with low-income families and helps make the dream of home ownership a reality. Habitat for Humanity Seattle/South King County is hosting this exciting community event that will make a difference in the lives of so many families!

     

    On (date) I will be volunteering with Habitat for Humanity as part of the Build-a-Thon and I need your help, generosity and support! My personal fundraising goal is $ (insert goal). I am raising money so that Habitat for Humanity can continue creating affordable housing opportunities in our community. I invite you to join me by sponsoring my volunteer hours with Habitat.

     

    Please consider making a donation on my behalf to help me reach my goal. Making a difference is easy! Visit www.habitat-buildathon.org and click on “support a participant” to make a secure online contribution. You can also send a donation to (insert affiliate contact information) made payable to Habitat for Humanity. If you have any questions please contact me at (your phone # and email). If you have any questions about Habitat for Humanity or the Build-a-Thon please visit www.habitat-buildaton.org for more information. Every dollar makes a difference! You can lead the way! You can help us change lives!

     

    Thanks in advance for your support,

     

    Your Signature

    Your address/phone/email

     

    P.S. The  EXCITEMENT is BUILDINGwww.habitat-buildathon.org

     

    Habitat for Humanity of Seattle/South King County and Habitat for Humanity of East King County

     are IRS-Designated 501(c)(3) organizations. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

    Habitat for Humanity East King County

    Example 1

    Dear (insert name(s)),

    Habitat for Humanity is a hand up, not a hand out! Through the hard work, determination, and compassion of volunteers, family partners and supporters, Habitat builds lives, relationships and communities, one house at a time. Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit housing developer dedicated to building safe, durable and affordable homes in partnership with low-income families.

     

    Habitat for Humanity East King County is hosting their 3rd Annual Build-a-Thon between October 4th and October 8th. I am thrilled to tell you that I am participating! What is a Build-a-Thon? Much like sponsoring miles walked in a Walk-a-Thon, I am inviting you to sponsor my volunteer hours for Habitat and be a part of this exciting community event.

     

    As a participant in the Build-a-Thon my personal goal is to raise $(insert fundraising goal) or more to help families in King County achieve the dream of first-time home ownership. You can help right now by sponsoring my volunteer hours with Habitat. It’s easy! Just go to www.habitat-buildathon.org to make a secure online donation today. If you prefer to write a check please make it payable to Habitat for Humanity and send it to (insert affiliate contact information). 

     

    Why is this so important? Because only 14% of King County housing is available to households earning below 50% of median income (HDC, 2006).This must change. You can lead the way by sponsoring my volunteer hours with the Habitat for Humanity Build-a-Thon!

     

    If you have any questions please contact me at (your phone # and email). If you have any questions about Habitat for Humanity or the Build-a-Thon please visit www.habitat-buildathon.org for more information. You can help us change lives!

     

    Thanks in advance for your support,

     

    Your Signature

    Your address/phone/email

     

    P.S. We can even start a Build-a-Thon team together! Go to www.habitat-buildathon.org and choose “I want to Participate!”

     

    Habitat for Humanity of Seattle/South King County and Habitat for Humanity of East King County

     are IRS-Designated 501(c)(3) organizations. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.


    Example 2

    Dear (name(s),

     

    I am participating in King County’s third annual Habitat for Humanity Build-a-Thon to raise awareness and funds for a future without substandard housing. Habitat for Humanity builds safe, affordable, durable homes in partnership with low-income families and helps make the dream of home ownership a reality. Habitat for Humanity East King County is hosting this exciting community event that will make a difference in the lives of so many families!

     

    On (date) I will be volunteering with Habitat for Humanity as part of the Build-a-Thon and I need your help, generosity and support! My personal fundraising goal is $ (insert goal). I am raising money so that Habitat for Humanity can continue creating affordable housing opportunities in our community. I invite you to join me by sponsoring my volunteer hours with Habitat.

     

    Please consider making a donation on my behalf to help me reach my goal. Making a difference is easy! Visit www.habitat-buildathon.org and click on “support a participant” to make a secure online contribution. You can also send a donation to (insert affiliate contact information) made payable to Habitat for Humanity. If you have any questions please contact me at (your phone # and email). If you have any questions about Habitat for Humanity or the Build-a-Thon please visit www.habitat-buildaton.org for more information. Every dollar makes a difference! You can lead the way! You can help us change lives!

     

    Thanks in advance for your support,

     

    Your Signature

    Your address/phone/email

     

    P.S. The  EXCITEMENT is BUILDINGwww.habitat-buildathon.org

     

    Habitat for Humanity of Seattle/South King County and Habitat for Humanity of East King County

     are IRS-Designated 501(c)(3) organizations. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

      

    Please contact us if you have any questions. We want to help you reach your potential and have a GREAT experience participating in the Build-a-Thon.

    Habitat for Humanity
    Seattle/South King County
    Alexandra Eckstein
    aeckstein@seattle-habitat.org
    206.292.5240 x108
    Habitat for Humanity
    East King County
    Gena Guillen 
    gena@habitatekc.org 
    425.869.9007 x239

     

    Don't forget…
    • All the information you need to donate and/or participate is online at www.habitat-buildathon.org
    • Please make checks payable to Habitat for Humanity and the affiliate you choose
    • Be sure to write your name and "Build-a-Thon" in the memo line of each check
    • A matching gift by a company can DOUBLE your pledge

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