Instructions on How to Write a Successful Fundraising Letter (Sample Letters included!) One of the most powerful and effective ways to fight the stigma that surrounds serious mental illness and to educate the public about the prevalence, cause and treatment of the illness is telling your personal story of why you are involved in NAMI. Many of misconceptions disappear when people talk about how a mental illness has affected themselves, their family and their friends. Patrick Corrigan, Professor of Psychiatry at the Illinois Institute of Technology is the principal investigator at the Chicago Consortium for Stigma Research. Dr. Corrigan, a leading authority on the stigma related to mental illness has stated in his findings that the most effective method to combat these erroneous beliefs is to expose people directly to an individual that is successfully coping with a serious mental illness, either directly or through their support system of family and friends. It is this personal contact, according to the Consortium’s research, that allows the public to see mental illness for what it is – a disorder of the brain that strikes indiscriminately. The foundation of the NAMIWALKS for the Mind of America is the process that encourages NAMI members and supporters to write letters and send emails to everyone in their personal and professional networks to educate them on mental illness and NAMI. This personal communication also is the way to ask that the reader to join and/or support the NAMIWALK in their community. It is through this letter and email campaign that we can begin to have a meaningful impact on the stigma related to this issue and successfully reach out to the segment of the community that could benefit from knowing about NAMI programs. The attached selection of letters is a sampling of the thousands and thousands stories told each year in communities across the country. These letters were written by walkers to their friends and colleagues as they do their part to: • To raise awareness about mental illness • To increase community education and reach out to new families and individuals living with mental illness • To support local NAMI affiliates • To build a larger NAMI community If you would like to use your letter to inspire others to collect funds like the samples provided in this packet, please send it to your Walk Manager. 10 KEY STEPS IN A LETTER WRITING OR EMAILING FUND-RAISING CAMPAIGN 1. Write your letter/email. Say what you are doing and why you are doing it. Tell your personal story and make it clear why supporting the NAMIWALKS For The Mind of America walkathon is important to you and your family. 2. Mail/email it to family members, friends, co-workers and business associates (try using your holiday card mailing list!) 3 to 10 weeks before the walkathon. 3. Consider enclosing a copy of your walker pledge sheet with your personal pledge on it so everyone knows that you are personally contributing to the cause you are asking them to support. 4. State your personal and team fund-raising goals in your letter. The higher the better! 5. Include in your letter some information on the important work being done by NAMI. 6. Be sure to say that all donations are tax-deductible and that checks should be made payable to NAMI (The National Alliance on Mental Illness). 7. Also be sure to say that you would like the donation sent to you by the date of the Walk so you can turn it in then. Enclose a return envelope if possible. (Donations should be returned directly to you so you can keep track of your supporters and personally thank everyone after the Walk.) 8. Remember to include on your mailing list any vendors, consultants and business people with whom you or your spouse may work. These people tend to make larger donations since they often will make them from their business checking account rather than from a personal checking account. 9. Remember to send thank you notes after the Walk to everyone who sponsors you. 10. Remember that the more people you mail to, the more money you will raise for NAMI and the support, education, advocacy and research programs it supports. Dear As the winter slowly recedes, Ruth & I wanted to let you lrnow how our life is going. Things are changing in dramatic fashion. After 39 years of having children at home, we are now empty nesters. Our youngest daughter, Beth, moved into transitional housing the first of February. As you know Beth has suffered from mental illness for the past 6 years. It has been a difficult time for her and all who know and love her. Since last April (her last hospitalization) she has been doing quite well, with the exception of some temporary setbacks with the transitional housing. She worked at Marshall's in Newburyport with the help of the Haverhill Clubhouse and is again enrolled in class at Northern Essex Community College (NECCO). She is now on her own with the help of a great case manager. These past years have been not only a trying experience but a learning one. One of the best supports we obtained, was when we went to a NAMI sponsored class called "Family to Family". We didn't realize that there was such a support group available. So now that Beth is stable we wish to give something back. As members ofNAMI, we have learned that there are literally thousands of people who do not know of or have access to the services and support that we have discovered. Therefore, Ruth and I have decided that we will be Team Captains of "Budda's Buddies"; a group who will be walking on May 22nd in the frrst annual NAMI walk for the "Mind of America" in Boston along the Charles River. For those of you who have not been recently acquainted with Beth, Budda is the name of her Norwegian long tailed rat. Budda is her "Baby". The purpose ofthis walk is two-fold: one - to raise the awareness of the plight of the mentally ill in our communities and across the country, and secondly to raise funds. For those of you who are unaware NAMI (the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill) is a nonprofit organization which strives to improve the lives of those touched by mental illness through education, by fighting stigma, and by providing a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves. We do believe NAMI will be one of the major driving forces to help improving the care mentally ill people receive. "Recovery is understood as a process through which skills for living with mental illness are acquired and deployed through varying phases of illness and wellness, regardless of age or diagnosis." We are fully aware that there are many people much sicker than Beth, who have little or now family support or outside support. We invite you to join us in this happy occasion by joining us on May 22nd. For those of you who would like to walk (It's only 3 miles with shortcuts available) but cannot contribute, we say, "Come on down". For those who can't walk but can contribute we say "Thanks". 92+% of all moneys raised goes to local programs. For every paid NAMI personnel there are over 1,000 volunteers who contribute time and energy to keep this going. This is definitely a grassroots effort to reach and help those who are unable or unaware of the resources available in their community. Please make checks payable to NAMI-Mass, and mail them to us. We will turn them in before the walk. All donations are tax deductible. Hope we hear ftom you soon. Charlie & Ruth Lambert 6 Highland Ave Newburyport, MA 01950 busterrll@ao1.com Wonderful fundraising letter from Paul Quinn ") remember when' was about fourteen years of age ... ' had the world by the tail. 'was on the basketball team. My classmates were all my friends. ) was enjoying life. That the way' thought it was supposed to be. The world was there for me to grab and' was going to grab it." "Flash forward about three or four years to a very disturbed young mc;in who was suddenly hit with the delusions, paranoia and hallucinations that accompany schizophrenia. My friends abandoned me. My life revolved around hospitals, doctors, and a search for a proper diagnosis and the medication that would allow me to function." The writing above is from my brother Pat. He is now 38. With medication, support, counseling and prayer, Pat has had a remarkable recovery from schizophrenia. He is living independently in his own apartment and works to help others suffering from brain disorders. He is a frequent speaker among groups of mental health professional, consumers and family members, giving his perspective to living with and recovering from mental illness. One of the keys to Pat's recovery has been the support ofthe National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). NAMI offers education, advocacy and support for people with brain disorders (mental illnesses) and their families. NAMI has helped Pat secure the services and support he needs to recover from his illness. On May 5, I will again participate in the "NAMI Walks" event in downtown Columbus. I willjoin several hundred people participating in this fundraising event benefiting NAMI. Will you support me in my walk? NAMI is a 501c3 organization, so your contribution is tax-deductible. Please make contributions payable to NAMI. Send it to me at 4315 Summitview Road, Dublin, OH 43016 or Donate online at: www.nami.org/namiwalks/ohlfranklin Thank you. Paul Quinn 614-256-0753 (NAMI Los Angeles, CA - 2005 WALK) Dear Friends, Family, and Associates: I am asking for your help in a cause I feel is too important to let shame, stigma, or embarrassment keep me from writing this letter. On October 1,2005, I will again be walking in: NAMI WALKS for the MIND OF AMERICA, NAMI stands for the National Alliance on the Mentally III, a non-profit organization for which I currently volunteer as President of the San Fernando Valley affiliate, President of the NAMI Los Angeles County Coordinating Council, and a teacher in the NAMI Family-to Family program. For those of you who remember from last year, I ran into my brother after not seeing him for 25 years. He has been on and off the street during that time, suffering from schizophrenia. It was a miracle that by mere chance I ran into him again, standing outside a 7-11. It was also a miracle that I had become a Family to Family trainer for NAMI, teaching other family members how to deal with their loved ones who suffer from a psychiatric disability. In short, when the opportunity of seeing my brother again presented itself, I knew what to do. This knowledge Was gained through my experience in NAMI. He is now living in a Board and Care at the VA and is improving every day. But it doesn't stop there. My sister came to my door about six weeks ago at 10 o'clock at night. I've seen her maybe twice in the past 10 years. She has lived that entire time on the street. In the past, I told her she had to take medication before I would ever take in. Now, seeing her on my doorstep, I invited her to stay. But she had a limp. I asked her what was wrong and she said 'nothing.' She had a wristband with a telephone number to a hospital. I called the hospital and they told me she had gangrene in her foot, that the police were looking for her because she left the hospital, that she needed to go to the emergency room. My sister refused to go the hospital. I contacted the county officials who arranged to come by and take her away to the county hospital. This was a horrible experience for everyone involved. But my NAMI support group reminded me that it was much better than letting her return to the street and possibly lose her leg or die. A couple of weeks ago, she had part of her foot amputated. These kinds of horror stories are preventable. NAMI acts as a strong advocate to change the laws to get better treatment for people with a mental illness. They help families be a better support to their loved ones. NAMI educates both consumers and families about mental illness. They help train law enforcement and health care providers to be more sensitive to the needs of people suffering from a psychiatric disability. It's a great organization and I'm asking you to donate to help us do more. Please go to www.nami.ora/namiwalks05/LOS/iimbo and give. Through the many programs that NAMI provides, you will help countless people who are affected by mental illness. I'm asking my friends to forward this email. jim.randall@verizon.net All the best, Jim (Randall) If you wish to contact me personally, please email me n .•* * * "* lKS fOR THE mum Of "mERltft :May 1} 2004 (j)ear (friemf s name) .lIs you might reca{{from ear{ier conversations} my Grotlier XJnneth was a 6-ri{{iant student and' a very accomp{isliea musician wlien lie Gecame i{{ with schizophrenia as a Junior at V:Nc. This tragecfy a{terea a{{ our fives} and'if tliere is gooa in such saaness} ies partCy Gecause of organizations such as tlie :Nationa{ .lI{{iance for tlie 9v1enta{CyI{[ .lIs you Ilnow} my invo{vement with :N.lI9v11:North CaroEina continues to evo{ve} and' lam committea to making :North Carofina a Getter prace for peopCe with Grain aisonfers. I was recentCy insta{Cea as Presicfent of tlie :N.lI9v1I-:NCrBoara of (])irectors) a responsiGifity that I find' aaunting Gut am wi{fing to accept on Gehalf of my Grother and'thousand's of others filig him in our state. :N.lI9v11Wa{RJ for tlie :Jvtind'of .lImerica is coming up 9v1ay 15 in Charlotte} and'I am preparing for tlie 51( wa{llas Team Captain of tlie 'lVnneth (jarriss pamiCy Team. This is a nationwicfe fund'raising and' menta{ liea{th awareness campaign that wi{{ Ge lieU in Coca{ communities across the nation auring tlie month of9v1ay) which is 9v1enta{ I{{ness Awareness :Jvtonth (:JvtI.Jl).9v1ysiste0 Phy{{is and'I areforming a team to honor XJnneth} and' are asking for support from famiCy and'friend's. you Jee{ you can contriGute to tlie mission of :N.lI9v11:North Carofina} and'my mission to malig our state a Getter prace for fo{RJ filig 'lVnneth} wi{{ 6e most if 1 grateful for your support. CYoumay malig cliecllpaya6Ce to :N.lI:JvtI-:NC. I am encCosing a selfaaaressea enve {opefor your convenience. I hope you are Cookingforwara to afun and'reCaJ;jng summe0 and'that trip one way ortlie other. WouUCove to see you again! With much gratitutfe} rBeth dJim Warcfy we can scliecfufe a June 12, 2007 Dear Blair, I am writing you today to tell you about an upcoming event that I am participating in that is both very important and very exciting to me. It is NAMIWALKS for the Mind of America, NAMI’s signature walkathon event that is being held in Chicago at Grant Park on September 23, 2007. I’ve formed a team called “Chicago Knows Blues” and I’m hoping that you can help me raise awareness about mental illness and much needed funds for NAMI programs. There are so many reasons why I am devoted to this cause, but here’s one example of why I work so passionately for NAMIWALKS: Sonny is an old man who I see in my DC neighborhood from time to time. He’s got a warm smile and worn leathery skin. He walks with a crutch and carries his belongings on his back. I usually see him sitting in his favorite spot on the steps of the Catholic grade school. Sometimes, I take him a bottle of water and a snack on my way back from the convenience store. He always rewards me with a smile. I’ve often suspected that Sonny has a mental illness which leads me to wondering a lot of things. How long has he lived on the street? Where’s he at when he is not around the neighborhood? Has he ever been incarcerated? Has he ever spent time in a psychiatric hospital? Is he estranged from his family? All of these things are possible for someone with a severe mental illness who does not receive adequate care. It’s easy to think that Sonny lives on the street because he’s stubborn and refuses treatment, but in reality many persons with a severe mental illness lack the insight to realize that they are sick and need help. Think about it. If someone has hallucinations and paranoia it’s not hard to believe that they might not be able to see the reality of their own illness. NAMI advocates for people like Sonny by helping to educate families about the treatment options available and coaches them in how to help someone accept treatment. I often think of a quotation that I read in the Washington Post back in 2002: “We wouldn’t let our 80-year old mother with Alzheimer’s live on a grate. Why is it all right for a 30-year-old daughter with schizophrenia?” I would like to ask you to come and walk with me or to donate to support my participation in this event. Visit my page to sign up: www.nami.org/namiwalks07/GCH/blues. You can also click on my name to go to my personal walker page to donate in support of me online. Donating online is fast and secure, and I'll get immediate notification via e-mail of your donation. Please save that e-mail notification to use as your receipt. NAMI is a 501(c)3 charity and any donation you make to support my participation in this event is tax deductible. Thank you in advance for your support. I really appreciate it. Sincerely, Erin April 2, 2008 Dear Family and Friends, It's that time of year again! It's WALK time! As most of you know, I have been involved with a little project called NAMI WALKS Boston, set for May 31st. Of course, it is anything but little. Last year, in the pouring rain and mud, we had 4,000 people and raised $375,000, which goes back to NAMI-MA's education, support, and advocacy programs. In fact, the WALK is NAMI-MA's primary fundraiser and is crucial to the organization's operational support. Even though I no longer direct the WALK, I am resurrecting Team Julie and raising money again this year. (I left NAMI-MA in August and am now working at the Parent/Professional Advocacy League (PAL) as the Education and Communications Coordinator. What PAL is and what I do are for another time. ☺ ) Last year, I can happily say that I met my goal of $2,000 thanks to you!!! I could not have done it without you, and I need your support again this year! As you know, I am walk for my Mom. You know my story, so I will not go into the details. Basically, life was not easy growing up, especially as I took care of my Mom instead of her taking care of me. As you can imagine, it was incredibly difficult watching her get sick and watching my family cope with it. I just felt alone, hopeless, helpless, angry, and sad. I wanted it all to go away! By the end of high school, I had no emotion. I was just burnt and needed to escape. After some downtime in France and at home, I made the conscious decision that instead of feeling hopeless and helpless, I would do something about it. I would choose hope and not get stuck in that darkness. Nine years later, I still choose hope, but life has not gotten easier. I still struggle with the fact that my Mom can't be my Mom, and, instead, I am her Mom. It still breaks my heart knowing that she is sick and suffering and that all I can do is love her and make sure she is getting the care that she needs. I am incredibly grateful that in the grand scheme of things, she is doing well and is getting good care; she has stayed out of the hospital for 3 years, which is no small feat! However, lately, she has not been doing as well, and those negative feelings and struggles have appeared, which reminds me of how important the WALK and NAMI are to me and to so many others who are living with mental illness. Even though I don't work for NAMI-MA anymore, I still keep coming back because of the friends that I made and the undeniable feelings of support, togetherness, and understanding. It is hard to explain how incredibly moving and powerful it is to simply remember that you are not alone and that there are people that notice and care about you. I love the WALK and NAMI because not only do you have the opportunity to do something positive for yourself and to choose hope, but they also provide a place where you can belong and the opportunity to just feel normal for at least one day out of the year. So, I am asking you to sponsor me by making a tax-deductible donation. You can go directly to my fundraising website, http://www.nami.org/namiwalks08/MAS/steph , and make a donation electronically or you can make a check out to NAMI-MA. Please help me reach my goal of $1,000 and continue to fight for my Mom and the millions like her and bring opportunities to families like mine. Whatever you can give, whether is it's a dollar, twenty dollars, or a hundred dollars, is greatly appreciated. It all adds up! Thank you so much in anticipation of your help! You are the best! Stephany Dear Friends and Family, It's that time of year again NAMI Walks time. This is my 5th year participating in the NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Walk for the Mind of America and this year is shaping up to be the most successful of all. You will notice that this year I have changed the name of my team from Team Kennedy to "Walking in Honor of Karen Flesch." Karen, my favorite NAMI volunteer and friend, took her life about a month ago. Karen's death hit particularly close to home because we had so much in common and only five years ago I made the same attempt but, luckily, wasn't successful. Karen was 30 years old and very bright; she had her master's degree in Social Work, and, like me, often approached her horrible brain disorder with humor. (One day she called me and said she had a delusion that she was chained to her bed so would it be okay if she brought the bed to the office with her.) A beautiful, put‐together person, you would never know that out of the spotlight she suffered from a disease that made her feel so terribly lonely she couldn't bear to live. In some respects it seems like just a short while ago I felt the same loneliness that caused me to try to take my life, but in other respects, I have been doing so well (I am virtually symptom‐free now)that it seems like that horrible day was a lifetime ago. One thing I am sure of one of the reasons suicide now seems so 'crazy' is because of the work NAMI does. NAMI's advocacy has given me a voice and that is more empowering than any medication I have every taken! Educating the public that mental illness is a medical condition (no different than Cancer, Diabetes or Heart Disease) and not a weakness has been my mission for the past five years and will continue to be until everyone wears silver ribbons as openly as they wear red and pink ones. NAMI and I can't continue to do this great work without your help. NAMI's Walk for the Mind of America is taking place in over 70 cities this year and the funds we raise will continue our advocacy and education mission. My goal this year is to raise $3000, $200 of which will be my personal donation. Your donation in any amount is greatly appreciated. Please click on the link below to make a quick and secure pledge using your debit/credit card: www.nami.org/namiwalks08/KAN/Elizabeth You may also send a check (payable to NAMI)to: Elizabeth Potskowski 12788 EveningShade Rd Plato, MO 65552 Thank you in advance, EKP PS ‐ PLEASE FEEL FREE TO FORWARD THIS TO ANYONE WHO MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING OR DONATING. THANKS AGAIN!!!! Dear Friends, When our older son, John, was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 1991, Kathy and I became involved with local and statewide organizations that support improving the treatment and recovery of people with serious mental illness. Both of us are currently members of our local support group, Norfolk Alliance for the Mentally Ill. I have been a board member of the Norfolk Community Services Board for ten years, serving as chairman for three years. My term will expire next month but Kathy has just been selected by the city council of Norfolk to serve on this board. Last year I was elected vice president of the board of directors of the statewide organization, NAMI, Virginia. The purpose of this letter is to ask for your support in an upcoming event that will help raise money for our local and state organizations. NAMIWALKS for the mind of America is NAMI’s signature walkathon, and is being held in Richmond Virginia, at Innsbrook Park on Saturday, October 14, 2006 I would like you to come and walk with us or to donate in support of our participation in this fund-raising event. If you cannot join us but desire to sponsor me, please visit my personal walker page: http://www.nami.org/namiwalks06/vir/tomweaver or if you want to join our team or become a walker visit: http://www.nami.org/namiwalks06/vir/naminorfolk Either of these links will allow you to donate on line. Donating online is fast and secure, and I will get immediate notification via e-mail of your donation. If you prefer to make a donation via regular mail, make the check out to NAMIVA, c/o Tom Weaver, and send to me at 1002 Colonial Ave., Norfolk, Virginia, 23507. NAMI, the Nation’s Voice on Mental Illness is the largest education, support and advocacy organization that serves the needs of all those whose lives are touched by severe mental illness. The NAMI( National Alliance for the Mentally Ill) organization comprises around 1,100 local affiliates, 50 state offices and a national office in Washington, D.C. The goals of the NAMIWALKS are to fight the stigma that surrounds mental illness, to build awareness of the fact that the mental health system in this country needs to be improved and to raise funds so our local, state and national organizations can continue their mission. NAMI is a 501(c) charity, and any donation is fully deductible. If you have any questions, please send me an e-mail or call me at 757-623-1929. Thank you for your support. Sincerely, Tom and Kathy Weaver September 11, 2008 Dear Family and Friends, When I left the field of law over two years ago to work at the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and become a mental health advocate, my goal was to help others by changing the way we view and treat persons experiencing mental illness. I knew in the process I’d be helping to understand what was happening in my own life. I’d like to share my NAMI story with you. I deal with Major Depression and anxiety. Some of you may be surprised by my disclosure because I have been very private about my experience. I was afraid that people would judge me or dismiss my health problems as of my own doing. I saw how the diagnosis of a “mental illness” carried with it a stigma that caused people to speak in hushed tones and refer to persons experiencing mental illness as “crazy” or “lazy” and less worthy of respect. I wanted the time and space to develop my own understanding of what it meant to have a mental illness and how I could restore my health. I faced several obstacles in getting treatment that are not unique to me. In addition to the stigma of mental illness, I had to remedy my own ignorance of the disorders while at the same time educating others who upon hearing about my depression had questions of their own. I have battled discrimination from my insurance company who provides less coverage for mental illnesses than other illnesses. I have dealt with long waits to see a psychiatrist because of a shortage of doctors. Through all of this, NAMI was a resource to me—especially the educational materials on the website. NAMI is an organization dedicated to removing the obstacles to treatment that I and others like me have faced and to the improvement of the quality of life for all persons who are affected by mental illness. The thousands of staff and unpaid volunteers across the country in local communities as well as advocates at the national level like me work to eradicate mental illness. October 4, 2008, I’ll be walking with NAMI Acadiana. We’re working to raise awareness of mental illness and funds for NAMI’s programs and support groups in and around Lafayette, Louisiana. The American Medical Association reported this June that many people continue to experience mental health problems in Louisiana which was hit by the devastating Hurricane Katrina in 2005. I ask you to donate to support my participation in this important event. Visit my web page to make a secure donation http://www.nami.org/namiwalks08/LAF/dimenna Thank you for your support! With Love, Erin DiMenna