Sample E-mail

Subject Line: Can You Help?

Dear ______,

I am participating in Birdathon 2008, an important fundraiser for the Houston Audubon Society. My team is called the _______________, and we have four members who will spend much of a 24-hour period this spring counting species of birds. Our team picture is attached.

The teams that count the most species can win prizes, but that is not why we do this. We participate in Birdathon because it is a lot of fun and because we believe in the mission of Houston Audubon: to promote the conservation and appreciation of birds and wildlife habitat.

Houston Audubon Society manages over 3,000 acres of critical habitat in its 18 sanctuaries in Houston and along the Upper Texas Gulf Coast. It provides outreach educational opportunities to over 20,000 Houston area residents, mostly children. Houston Audubon also takes positions on important environmental issues on behalf of birds and other wildlife and their habitat. You can visit its website at www.houstonaudubon.org.

The Birdathon is similar to a walkathon. Except our team's task is to count as many species of birds as possible during our 24-hour period and solicit pledges from donors. You can pledge a fixed amount, or you can pledge so much per species. You can sign my pledge form, or you can pledge directly online at www.houstonaudubon.org/html/birdathonpledge.htm.

Please let me know if you can help out the _________________ Team!

Sample Voice Mail

Sorry I missed you! Just a quick message; give me a call back and I will give you all the details. I'm calling for your help. I am participating in Birdathon 2008, a fundraiser for the Houston Audubon Society. The teams that count the most species can win prizes, but that is not why we do this. It's a lot of fun and it supports Houston Audubon, a great conservation organization. You can check out its website at www.houstonaudubon.org.

The Birdathon is similar to a walkathon. Except our team's task is to count as many species of birds as possible during our 24-hour period and solicit pledges from donors. You can pledge a fixed amount, or you can pledge so much per species. You can pledge directly online. Just click on Birdathon at the Houston Audubon website. The pledge deadline is May 9th.

I'll give you more information when we talk. And thanks in advance for supporting our team so we can support the Houston Audubon Society. Talk to you soon!

Sample U.S. Mail

Dear ______,

I am participating in Birdathon 2008, an important fundraiser for the Houston Audubon Society. My team is called the _______________, and we have four members who will spend much of a 24-hour period this spring counting species of birds. Our team picture is enclosed.

The teams that count the most species can win prizes, but that is not why we do this. We participate in Birdathon because it is a lot of fun and because we believe in the mission of Houston Audubon: to promote the conservation and appreciation of birds and wildlife habitat.

Houston Audubon Society manages over 3,000 acres of critical habitat in its 18 sanctuaries in Houston and along the Upper Texas Gulf Coast. It provides outreach educational opportunities to over 20,000 Houston area residents, mostly children. Houston Audubon also takes positions on important environmental issues on behalf of birds and other wildlife and their habitat. You can visit its website at www.houstonaudubon.org.

The Birdathon is similar to a walkathon. Except our team's task is to count as many species of birds as possible during our 24-hour period and solicit pledges from donors. You can pledge a fixed amount, or you can pledge so much per species.

I have enclosed a pledge card and a self-addressed stamped envelope for your convenience. You can also pledge directly online at www.houstonaudubon.org/html/birdathonpledge.htm.

Let me know if you have any questions. And thanks in advance for supporting our team as we support the Houston Audubon Society.

Sincerely,

Telephone or In-Person