Yev's Final Email

Dear Friends,

This is the last time I’ll be emailing you about my I Think I Can campaign… so be nice and read it, please! :P

I just want to say, first of all, thank you SO much to those of you who have already donated. It means a lot to me to have your support and it truly is for a wonderful cause. Also, you’ve provided me with a chance to text at least a little bit in March, so thanks for that too ;)

For those of you who have not yet donated, please consider taking a moment right now to go to my fundraising site here: http://atthecrossroads.org/campaign/yevgenyachityan

It will only take a minute to make a donation online and it will really brighten up my day! I know that times are tough for all of us, and I don’t want to guilt trip or pressure anyone… but what if you and I were hanging out and you bought me a coffee and a bagel some time, that would be like $5? Stay with me… WHAT IF. Instead of buying me that coffee and bagel while we’re hanging out, you donated that $5 to the ITIC campaign RIGHT NOW? :)

OK and now that I have asked you, ever so kindly, to open your wallets, let me share with you all the trials and tribulations of my experience.. or at least give you a summary. ;)

Not being able to text at all in February made me realize 2 things: 1) How many totally useless, random text messages I send out to people and 2) how convenient texting is and how much I missed it. :P

March was easier, but there were definitely moments when I cursed myself for entering into this whole agreement. As of tomorrow, I’ll be able to text freely once again, but I’m going to try and limit myself a bit more than I used to. I suppose it’s not absolutely necessary to share EVERY random thought and observation with my contact list.

There’s another lesson that I try to keep in mind: Most of the things that we think we NEED or HAVE TO HAVE are, in fact, completely unnecessary. We are so reliant on our cell phones (sometimes I reach into my purse and stroke mine, just to know it’s still there) that we forget what it was like before we had them. The same goes for all the other stuff we treasure. They’re just things, guys.

What’s really important? Well food and shelter, of course. But what about feeling satisfied with yourself and how you live your life? What about having friends and family who care about you? What about feeling like you matter at all, to anyone in this world? These are the truly valuable things in life, and they’re the same things that At the Crossroads tries to provide to their clients.

OK, I know I got a little cheesy for a moment there, but it’s only because I genuinely believe what I’m telling you. I volunteer my time and efforts because I care, and I’ll continue to do so, regardless of how much money I raise for this campaign. :)

So, I hope everyone enjoys the rest of your day and this absolutely AMAZING weather we’re having in the Bay.

Love you all!

With my sincerest gratitude,

Yev

xoxo

Final Email Tips

Key components of the final email:

1) Make sure that in the subject heading, it clearly states that this is your final attempt to get sponsorship for your Campaign. Something like "Last chance to support my Campaign".

2) In the first two or three sentences, make a final request for donations, including a link to your Campaign page.

3) Thank those who have supported you.

4) Let people know how the campaign experience was: what you accomplished, how it felt, how it felt to raise money and to get the support of your community, etc.

Mary Gregory's 2010 final email that doubled her total, raising $2,745

Dear Peeps,

You are very patient with me as I send these emails, and a number of you have given to At The Crossroads for which I am VERY grateful. But I'd really like to raise at LEAST $3,500, so here's a last appeal for the 2010 campaign (go to http://atthecrossroads.org/campaign/marygregory1).

For the few of you who are new to the campaign, here's the deal. Each year, we ATC supporters challenge ourselves in some way, and then seek encouragement for our challenge through your donations to At The Crossroads. ATC supports homeless youth on the streets of San Francisco, and does a fantastic job building trust with young people and helping them build the kinds of lives they envision for themselves.

My challenge has been to walk every day--at least around the block--and I've walked all but three of the past 81 days since I started my campaign. Whoo-hoo! Go to:

http://atthecrossroads.org/campaign/marygregory1 (and when you've finished looking at my page, and have made a donation!, click on the I Think I Can logo at the top to go see other campaigns. There is a WIDE variety!)

I hope that those of you who haven't given yet will open your hearts and your checkbooks (it's very easy and secure to give on line), and help me get to my fundraising goal!

This is a wonderful organization and a wonderful community of supporters. What could be better?

Thank you, thank you!

Mary

Final Email Example

Subject: Last “ I Think I Can” Campaign Email for 2009

Dear Friends,

Whew. It's week 10, and this the last time I’m going to ask for your support! I'm happy to say:

-I'm almost at my fundraising goal

-I've written a blog post every day

-And... I'm now calling myself a writer, without blushing too much.

I want to say thank you to all of you who have supported me during these last few months, with your donations, your funny and thoughtful comments, and your encouragement. These two months have been some of the most challenging yet hopeful of my life. And the reward has been magnificent.

Now, if you've been waiting to donate in order to see if I could actually write every day, now is the time to give: http://www.atthecrossroads.org/campaign/jennystadler. Friday is my last day, you know. And we only have $134 to go!

Thanks, everyone. You're the best.

Jenny

Operation Wipeout.mp4

Print Material

Though the I Think I Can Campaign is largely web-based, lots of Campaigners use print materials to spread the word to friends and family. This works best for people who are less web-savvy, or not on email at all.

Also, this is a great tool if your Campaign has some sort of event attached (marathon day, dance recital, poetry reading, art show, etc.) so you can pass out the cards to people who attend the event!

Here's how this can work:

1. You tell us you want print material
2. We personalize the cards with your name, goal, website, and fundraising amount
3. We send them to you
4. You hand them out to people


Talk to your Campaign Coordinator for more information!

Here's what the cards will look like!

Get your friends involved in the Campaign

Subject: Help yourself and help homeless youth; what could be better

Hi friends!

As most of you know, I have been participating in the I Think I Can Campaign, trying to (INSERT CAMPAIGN GOAL). It’s all in an effort to raise money for an organization that I am passionate about, At The Crossroads. If you haven’t gotten to read my emails about this organization, check out their documentary at: www.atthecrossroads.org.

This email is not a request to sponsor me, but to ask you to consider signing up to do your own campaign! Learn more and sign up at campaign.atthecrossroads.org. As a reminder, the Campaign is super easy – it’s sort of like a walk-a-thon, but rather than walking, you can chose any goal you have, and get your friends and family to sponsor you. Run a marathon, create artwork, learn a language, quit smoking, learn how to slam dunk: these are all actual campaigns!

The campaign has helped me to (INSERT CAMPAIGN GOAL), and it has been a wonderful experience. It will make a profound difference in your life, and in the lives of homeless youth. I would be so thrilled if you started a Campaign of your own and supported At The Crossroads! If you want to know more about my experience or about how the Campaign works, please let me know; I would love to talk about it!

Again, if you want to learn more and sign-up (it takes just a couple of minutes), go to: campaign.atthecrossroads.org

Thanks!

(YOUR NAME)