We hope this newsletter finds you under a rainbow cloud! This is the 139th Fundraising Writing Newsletter. If you find value here, please tell a fundraising friend. (Your fundraising friend can ​subscribe here for free.)​

In this issue:

✅ Rainbow cloud? Yes!

✅ (Also: fundraising samples.)

✅ (And: free webinar on July 31!)

✅ Randomly yours: to inspire and recharge you

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Wednesday, July 10, 2024

Hi Reader,

Brett here:

I'm hoping the last party you hosted or attended was (as Julie likes to say) fan-frickin-tastic!

Julie and I hosted a family 4th of July party last week, and thankfully it went so well that we're already planning a 2025 redux.

This pic of my 83-year-old Mom relaxing after the festivities rather nicely captures the chill party vibes.

But the most surprising thing we saw was this happy rainbow cloud lounging in a clear blue sky...

Is that a rainbow cloud? Yes!

My sister spotted it first.

She said, "Is that a rainbow cloud?"

Yes!

Now's a good time to tell you that our 4th of July party doubled as a second memorial for my stepdad, a WWII Navy man who died at age 102 last September.

Everyone at the party gave a little speech, and then we scattered cremains in the lake.

Maybe the rainbow cloud was my stepdad smiling down at us from above? 😊

(Also: fundraising samples.)

If not for my sister keeping her eyes peeled, I would never have seen the rainbow cloud. I had not been looking up.

Fundraising writing is like that.

Keep your eyes peeled.

Don't miss any rainbow clouds.

In fundraising writing, powerful details can make a world of difference.

Julie and I always love looking at samples of other people’s work. We find doing so to be thought-provoking and inspiring. Maybe you do too?

If you'd like to review examples of how we incorporate powerful details in our fundraising writing to stir donors' hearts to action, take a look at our portfolio.

Below are teaser images of the examples: newsletters, supporter survey, impact reports, appeal letters, a case for support, a blog feature...

And if you would like to chat about how we might help you with your fundraising writing, book a free call now!

A summer webinar for YOU

Julie here:

On Wednesday, July 31, I'm teaming up with 2 of my fundraising BFFs, Rachel Muir and Sarah Masterson, to present "How to Write and Design Money-raising Appeals" at 10 am PT/ 12 noon CT/ 1 pm ET.
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​Sign up to discover:

⚠️ Copywriting mistakes and what to do instead

💪 "Power words" good donor copy taps into

🚀 How to format and design appeals to boost results

⭐ "Before & After" appeal makeovers
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We presented this same 90-minute workshop at AFP ICON 2024 and scored a 4.67 (out of 5). 🤩🎉

Attendees said things like...

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​Cost, you ask? Nothing. Niets. Nada. (That fits your budget, yes?)

​Register now because this session will fill up!

Here’s that link again to register for the free webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_qXezCI8KSh2PO8Cd1PbVGw​

Hope to see you there! Please say 'hi' in the chat! 💛

Randomly yours: to inspire and recharge you

For your brain, heart, and funny bone...

• Fundraisingly Informative — Nonprofit online revenue down 1% by Jeff Brooks (a blog post about some key 2024 fundraising findings and benchmarks, and how to think of them in context for your org)​
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• Fully Worthy — The Most Important Choice of Your Life by Sahil Bloom (a blog post featuring helpful reflections and a wonderful modern parable you're unlikely to forget)
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• Contrastingly Marvelous — Thread of Before and After Photos via James Lucas (a Twitter/X thread at which you're likely to gasp in awe; e.g., "Chichen Itza in 1892 and now," "the Sphinx before and after excavation," and "Mount St. Helens before and after its 1980 eruption")

Until next time: May blue skies smile down upon you with the occasional rainbow cloud, and may all your parties be fan-frickin-tastic!

Grateful,

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