How to Make Your Appeal About People

In my main column, I wrote about the message behind your appeals needing to be about people and life change. The following is from my 2022 #GivingTuesday Playbook. While this appeal fits best with a #GivingTuesday strategy, it shows how to position your appeal as compelling.

#GivingTuesday suggested email copy.

Subject Line: Help us feed the homeless of Tulsa!

Dear ________________,

Did you know that for less than $2.50 a person, John 3:16 Mission will be able to host a Christmas meal for the homeless and poor of Tulsa? Our First Church family has supported John 3:16 Mission in the past, and we want to help them provide a Christmas meal for those in need. Give now at  http://FirstChurch.org/give/#GivingTuesday.

Today is #GivingTuesday, an international event focusing on giving gifts to charitable causes. We have decided to participate by giving away every penny to our special #GivingTuesday offering. We chose this year to support the work of John 3:16 Mission. You can learn more about this amazing ministry and how you can help by giving to our #GivingTuesday offering at http://FirstChurch.org/#GivingTuesday.

Let’s show our love for Tulsa with an amazing offering of support! Remember, every penny given will go directly to John 3:16 Mission! Let’s feed the homeless of Tulsa!

Blessings,

Pastor Mark

PS.  For around $2.50, you can feed one person. How many people will your gift feed? Give now at http://FirstChurch.org/give/#GivingTuesday.

Don’t forget text giving! One of the rising platforms for giving is text giving. This platform is especially effective with younger generations. Here is a sample again for #GivingTuesday, but you can use similar wording and strategy for whatever your appeal is for.

#GivingTuesday text blast sample:

Did you know that for less than $2.50 a person, we can provide a Christmas meal for the homeless and poor of Tulsa? Our First Church family, working with John 3:16 Mission, wants to assure that no one in Tulsa goes without a Christmas meal! Give today at http://FirstChurch.org/give/#GivingTuesday.