Environmental Cause • Example Letters, Guides and Samples

Guides

Keep the tone of your letter positive--concentrate on the things you hope to accomplish, rather than just on the problems that exist. Keep the focus of the letter on the good that your organization provides (or can provide) to the community or to the world.

How to write this fundraising letter:

  1. Tell about your environmental group or the cause you support.
  2. Mention the things your group has already accomplished or would like to accomplish to protect the environment, or indicate some of the broader benefits of the type of environmental work you hope to do.
  3. Indicate what the money you are raising will be used for, and ask for a specific amount (or range of amounts) of money.
  4. Tell the direct benefits that will come from the money that you are currently requesting.
  5. Thank readers for their interest in helping to preserve the environment, and remind them that, by working together, we can make a difference in our world.

Example Letter #1

Copied

Although there are multiple organizations fighting to preserve the integrity and beauty of our natural environment, (Name of Organization) stands apart from the pack as one of the most visible and successful environmental organizations of the past few decades. From protecting the health of our natural landscapes to tracking and responding to the dangers confronting different populations of animals, (Name of Organization) has devoted itself to preserving our natural heritage for future generations.

It's important to acknowledge, however, that (Name of Organization) does not exist on its own. Rather, in the end, the organization is its members. Only through the care and commitment of conscientious citizens can (Name of Organization)'s mission transform into action. We write to you today, therefore, in the hope that you might consider joining our fight. We have enclosed a brochure detailing the history, accomplishments, and current engagements of the organization. After reviewing this information, please consider using the enclosed form and prepaid envelope to become an official member of our organization. With your help, our environment can be treasured and preserved far into the future.

We deeply appreciate your time and support.

Example Letter #2

Copied

At Youth for the Earth, we believe that our young people are the key to changing attitudes about conservation and environmental issues. They will inherit this world and cannot begin to develop healthy attitudes towards the earth and its resources too soon.

We started with pilot programs in five high schools and three colleges just four years ago. Now we have chapters at 26 schools and colleges and are ready to take our mission nationwide. The young people already involved are making a difference in their communities. They spend their summers cleaning ponds and streams, highways and hiking trails, and even pre-teens want to get involved.

What they need now is training. We are organizing a number of regional Youth for the Earth Training Seminars. Interest in these conferences has been overwhelming already.

We need to provide scholarships so that every student who qualifies will be able to attend. Every student will be expected to "earn" their way by donating service hours within their communities, and those who can will pay their own expenses, but there are many who will need a financial boost.

Would you be able to sponsor one or more students? The total cost of the seminar will be $180, but any amount that you could afford would be gratefully accepted.

Example Letter #3

Copied

Since 1985, the Green Team has been working tirelessly for a variety of environmental causes in our community. During that time, we have worked to clean up the community and plant trees and other plant life throughout the city, helped set up carpooling and rideshare programs for commuters, set up water and energy conservation programs, and worked with various manufacturers to educate them about their impact on the environment and help them implement cleaner manufacturing and waste-disposal practices.

This year, we plan to continue our efforts by implementing a widespread community recycling program. We have already developed a strategy to put this plan to work, but first we need help to get public support and secure government funding. To accomplish these goals, we are raising money for a campaign to both win public support and also gain the attention and approval of our local government officials.

Ms Doe, will you help us to continue our efforts to further clean up and improve our environment by making a contribution to this latest cause? Your donation of $100, $50, or even $25 will make a big difference as we work toward this objective. Please take a moment now to write a check and send it in the enclosed envelope. Your donation is 100 percent tax-deductible, and your contribution will be put to immediate use.

I want to personally thank you for taking the time to read our letter. I hope you will feel the importance of our current mission, and that you will help us to raise the money we need to make it a success by implementing a recycling program in our community.

Example Letter #4

Copied

For many years now, you have been a big supporter of our mission to preserve wilderness areas throughout the world. We thank you again for your help last year in purchasing over 9,000 acres of wetlands in South America. With the financial support of people like you, we have been able to begin to revitalize and preserve this important part of the ecosystem.

This year, we have a cause we are fighting much closer to home. In fact, our intent is to lobby for the state and national government to create 2,300 acres of wilderness area in the southern part of our state, in Springfield County.

Will you help us, Mr. and Mrs. Doe, purchase this land so that it might be preserved from further development and possible degradation by making a donation of $10,000 by next Friday, April 29, to the special fund we have set up for this purpose? We have enclosed a form in which you can send your donation; simply make your check payable to "Springfield County Wilderness Preservation Fund" and mail it to the address on the envelope.

I know that preserving wilderness areas--preserving the natural habitat of so many species and maintaining the pristine beauty of nature--is of utmost importance to you. Please help us preserve this piece of heaven in our own state by making your generous donation today.

Example Letter #5

Copied

Year after year, Animals in Action works to save endangered species throughout the world. Last year, we focused our efforts on preserving four species that were very near extinction. (Please visit our Web site, www.animalsinaction.com, for information about these and other preservation efforts.) Now, after much work, those species are slowly increasing their depleted populations.

This year, we would like to help bring back even more endangered species, and we feel that--with proper funding--we can do so. We've set a goal to raise $20,000--an ambitious goal, we know!--next month at our semiannual benefits dinner, and we hope you will be able to attend and help us to reach this goal. The evening is always a treat, with excellent food and entertainment, and even prizes! But best of all, of course, is that 100 percent of the money brought in goes to aiding in our life-saving endeavors.

This special dinner will be held in the Doe Convention Center the night of February 12 at 7 p.m. The cost of the dinner is $100 per plate. If you would like to help us save six more animals from utter extinction, then please RSVP no later than Monday, January 16, so that we can plan for your attendance. You can RSVP by calling 555-5555, or by e-mailing Jane Doe at Jane@email.com.

By participating in this dinner, you will be making a real, lasting difference in our world. I hope you will be able to attend.

Write Your Letter Step-by-Step

1 Tell about your environmental group or the cause you support.

Sample Sentences for Step 1
  • For 20 years, Green for Life has been educating citizens of our community about the impact we have on our environment.
  • Since it was founded in 2000, our organization has been working tirelessly to lobby for the preservation of the many natural resources we have in this state.
  • When we began nearly 30 years ago, we were simply a group of friends brought together by our desire to save a number of endangered species that we feared would soon be wiped out if we did not act.
  • We work with local government agencies to promote education about environmental issues and to initiate conservation efforts.
  • Don't Waste a Drop is a national nonprofit organization that specializes in water conservation.
  • This year, we are celebrating our fifteen-year anniversary. In that time, we are proud to say, there has been a great increase in the amount of recycling done by the members of our community.
  • At the Doe Foundation for Clean Air, we work with local businesses and government officials to ensure that businesses are in compliance with local clean-air laws.
  • At Doe Corporation, we work to bring concerned citizens together, and then we help them coordinate their efforts to complete the many important conservation projects that exist throughout the country.
Sample Phrases for Step 1
  • working to bring back the
  • organization was formed 15 years ago to
  • work together with local governments to
  • working to educate the public
  • volunteers work tirelessly to
  • save the endangered species
  • environmental group that
  • began as a small group of concerned
  • celebrating our twentieth-year anniversary
  • it is our mission to
  • revitalizing the natural habitat of
  • cleaning up the
  • dedicated to changing
  • since 1978 we have
  • making a positive change
  • a force for good
  • coordinating the efforts of

2 Mention the things your group has already accomplished or would like to accomplish to protect the environment, or indicate some of the broader benefits of the type of environmental work you hope to do.

Sample Sentences for Step 2
  • Last year, we were able to implement recycling programs in 10 cities throughout the state.
  • Because of our aggressive water-conservation campaign, our city has actually reduced overall water use by 5 percent in the last five years.
  • As one of our first goals in this area, we hope to revitalize the downtown area by working with city officials to plant trees and other vegetation.
  • In 2018, we campaigned to have a large piece of property in Someplace designated as wilderness area, and last year, that mission was realized.
  • Since our organization was founded two years ago, we have already seen a measurable improvement by several businesses in decreasing the amount of pollutants they put into the air. This is very encouraging news.
  • We have already seen the utter devastation of too many species because of humans' impact on the environment, and so we want to prevent the extinction of any more endangered species within that region.
  • To do this, we have developed a plan that will educate individuals, young and old alike, about the importance of reducing our impact on the environment in our recreational activities.
  • For more than 20 years, we have been working with government leaders to educate them about the harms of cutting down the rain forests in their countries.
Sample Phrases for Step 2
  • want to educate people about the importance of
  • last year we saved more than
  • we were able to revitalize the
  • began recycling efforts in five nearby communities
  • hope to clean up
  • plant trees to replenish
  • want to clean up and beautify communities
  • stop the mindless cutting down of
  • over the last 10 years, we have been able to
  • since the organization was founded
  • in more than 30 countries throughout the world
  • want to preserve the natural habitat
  • preserve the natural beauty of the
  • working with local businesses to improve the air quality of
  • programs to reduce waste and implement recycling
  • provide free classes to educate citizens about
  • save the natural wildlife
  • protect the interests of
  • working with government agencies to
  • have developed a plan to
  • cleaning up the environment

3 Indicate what the money you are raising will be used for, and ask for a specific amount (or range of amounts) of money.

Sample Sentences for Step 3
  • That's why we need your help, Mr. and Mrs. Chang, in order to help us raise the money we need to continue our community education programs. Would you be able to contribute just $30 a month to help us do that?
  • In order to do the necessary impact studies, we are sending five of our staff to that region this fall. Will you help us to raise the money we need in order to do this--about $25,000--by making a donation today of $100 or more?
  • To accomplish this, we are hoping to raise $10,000 that can be used to purchase the initial shipment of trees and other plants. Could you make a donation today of $50 to help us raise this money?
  • But we can't do it without your help. That's why I'm asking you, Mr. Langford, to make a generous donation of $500 to our organization, to help us fight this problem.
  • To keep this program going, we need an estimated $50,000 per year. Are you willing to make a monthly donation of $45 to help us meet this need?
  • We have set up a special fund, just to raise money for this cause. Will you make a donation today of $65 to help us meet our goal of raising $40,000 by the end of this year?
  • If you are not able to contribute $200 at this time, would you be able to donate $100, or even $50, instead?
  • Your generous donation of $1,000 to the Foundation will allow this work to continue. Will you send a check today?
Sample Phrases for Step 3
  • all proceeds will go toward
  • plan to offer classes to educate
  • will be used to purchase trees to
  • want to educate members of the community
  • a special fund that will be
  • provide immediate funding for
  • meet the immediate needs of
  • used to research the feasibility of
  • money raised will be used for
  • donations will be used to
  • will allow volunteers to
  • will spend the summer in
  • enable us to expand our current program
  • allow us to do even more
  • needed to purchase the
  • be used to buy
  • will be used to replenish
  • please donate to help us
  • your generous donation of $500
  • asking for donations of $30
  • as little as $20 a month, we can
  • your donation of $50 will be used to
  • with donations of $100, we can purchase
  • please donate whatever you can
  • need all the monetary help we can get
  • asking that donors contribute $400 annually
  • a monthly donation of $25

4 Tell the direct benefits that will come from the money that you are currently requesting.

Sample Sentences for Step 4
  • With the money we raise from this fund drive, we will be able to set up recycling programs in a number of cities throughout the state.
  • The money we raise today will truly improve the quality of life for all of us.
  • All proceeds that we raise will go toward providing clean water for people in less developed countries.
  • Your contribution today will help us to save this rare and beautiful bird from utter annihilation.
  • Because of your donation, the citizens of our community will have cleaner air to breathe.
  • And, remember, we're not only doing this for our own well-being, but for that of our children, and their children, and theirs, for years to come.
  • By educating people, we really can make a difference in the way we treat our fragile environment.
  • Not only will we have a cleaner city as a result, but a cleaner world, as well.
Sample Phrases for Step 4
  • will provide clean water for
  • have cleaner air to breathe
  • increased number of trees will
  • classes will teach individuals how to
  • recycling facilities will cut down on the amount of waste
  • a 25% reduction in the amount of solid waste
  • will go to help members of the community of
  • able to save over one dozen species of plants
  • used to save 3,000 acres of precious wildlife
  • recruiting more volunteers
  • fund the conservation program
  • used to clean up the
  • improve the quality of life
  • help to beautify the city
  • allow us to save this rare and beautiful
  • able to send our volunteers to
  • go toward the purchase of
  • donations will go directly to
  • money will be used to
  • all donations will
  • provide a better future for
  • our children and grandchildren will benefit from
  • 100% of the proceeds will go toward

5 Thank readers for their interest in helping to preserve the environment, and remind them that, by working together, we can make a difference in our world.

Sample Sentences for Step 5
  • We are truly grateful for people like you who really care about our environment. Without you, we could never accomplish this important work.
  • I want to thank you, Juana, for your longtime commitment to environmental causes. I know that by working together, we really can make a better world.
  • We very much appreciate your dedication to our cause in the past, and we hope you will feel as we do a strong desire to continue to contribute to this work.
  • Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Kawasaki, for your interest in this cause. We hope you will make a generous donation today so that you can truly help us in this effort.
  • We appreciate your support to our organization. By working together, we can preserve our beautiful planet for generations to come.
  • We know we couldn't do this work without the financial support of people like you. Please act now by sending in your generous donation today.
  • With the help of concerned citizens like you, we know that this work will be successful. Please accept our heartfelt thanks for your desire to make this world a better place to be, for all of us.
  • I am thankful to all of the many individuals who make this work possible. Join our cause today by lending your financial support.
Sample Phrases for Step 5
  • grateful to all those
  • very much appreciate the support of
  • thankful to all of the individuals
  • appreciative of your past support to
  • express our gratitude to the many
  • thank those contributors
  • please act now
  • send your donation today
  • know that we can make a difference
  • want to change the environment for the better
  • we must work together to
  • our earth is counting on us
  • want to thank all those who have
  • with the help of concerned citizens like you
  • working together we can
  • by coming together for a common cause
  • please give a generous donation so that
  • your generous donation will make it possible
  • with the support of
  • able to preserve our beautiful resources
  • make the world better for those who follow
  • by giving of ourselves

Recommended Articles