Email Sample Letters

Now that you've seen some tips and tricks from a $5,000 fundraiser, here are a couple of more example emails from others who have been to Tijuana in the past.

Remember that you'll need to set up your Crowdrise account before sending any of the sample emails below. If you need to understand how these form letters work, please read the tips and tricks from the $5,000 fundraiser.


Sample Letter 1

Hi <<NAME>>,

<<PERSONAL MESSAGE>>

For the 15^th year, my church, St Julie’s, is going to Tijuana, Mexico to build 5 houses for the poor. I’m looking forward to joining the team when it travels again to Tijuana this summer from <<DATES>>.

But I need your help. Each of the participants has been asked to raise $500 by June 1st. The money goes towards the cost of construction materials and supplies as well as the community outreach programs with mothers and children. I would greatly appreciate any contribution that you can provide, great or small, as well as your prayers for us and for the people of Tijuana.

You can donate by clicking on the link below or by mailing a check payable to “GoBasics” and put Tijuana Ministry in the memo field and send it  to my home address of  <<ADDRESS>>.  All donations are tax deductible. 

<<CROWDRISE LINK>>

I thank you for supporting my efforts and for opening your heart to this ministry. To find out more and  the progress of the trip while I am there go to http://www.tijuanaministry.org.  

<<CLOSING>>

Sample Letter 2

Dear <<NAME>>,

One of the greatest humanitarians of our time, Mahatma Gandhi said “be the change you want to see in the world”. At some point in our lives, many of us feel called to give back or to pay it forward. Not just through financial contributions, but also through gifts of time and talent. We feel the nudge to open our hearts, minds and hands to make that tangible difference in the world – the urge to get up and just do it. I’ve been given such an opportunity through the GoBASICS Tijuana Ministry.

I along with many volunteers will be going to Tijuana, Mexico to build 5 houses for the poor and to lead programs for local mothers and children focused on fostering community, partnerships and hope. The goal of our mission is to enable the poor of Tijuana to build grace-filled lives, break the cycle of poverty and help them attain independence.  We help them build safe homes; we share our friendship, faith, hope, and love and we create long-lasting bonds with the community. And while in Tijuana, we also take time to really look at the area, learn about the issues and try to understand what it is like to live there so we can bring that message back for others.  Everyone involved with this ministry helps in some way -- whether building here or in Tijuana, cooking on-site, being part of the teaching teams, providing financial support, helping with fundraising, donating needed goods or praying for us and the people of Tijuana.  Most importantly, there’s a real transformation that happens both in the lives of those we help, and those who participate.  It’s a conversion of mind, body and soul – from bigger biceps to softened hearts. It’s a chance to be a disciple and to walk like Christ.

I’m looking forward to joining the team when it travels again to Tijuana this summer from <<DATES>>. But I need your help. Each of the participants has been asked to raise $500. The money goes towards the cost of construction materials and supplies as well as the community outreach programs with mothers and children. I would greatly appreciate any contribution that you can provide, great or small, as well as your prayers for us and for the people of Tijuana. And if you know of another church, individual or business that might be interested in learning about this trip and partnering with us, please pass on their names to me or share this letter with them.

You can donate by mailing a check payable to “BASICS (Brothers and Sisters in Community Service)”, our trip provider either to my home address of <<ADDRESS>>. Or you can donate to my online fundraiser <<CROWDRISE LINK>>.  All donations are tax deductible. 

I thank you for supporting my efforts and for opening your heart to this ministry. Find out more and keep posted about the progress of the trip at http://www.tijuanaministry.org.

<<MESSAGE>>

<<CLOSING>>