Dr. Daniel Monek, Chairman of the music Department at Marietta College in Marietta, OH traveled to Italy with Music Celebrations International in 2003 and is currently planning a 2005 concert tour to China with us as well.

Throughout Dan’s many years of touring, much fundraising has been necessary. In Dan’s experience, any fundraiser that offers less than 50% profit to the student is just not worth his time. One of Dr. Monek’s most effective fundraisers has been the sponsorship letter. Dan explains that the sponsorship letter is “a great way for people in the community to support the music program. Many times people will buy doughnut cards or coupon books from solicitous students, wanting to help them, but not wanting the doughnuts or coupons. The worst part is that the student, for all of that work, is only making 25% to 40% of the total contribution.”

With a sponsorship letter, the Marietta students create a standard letter that is sent to the many people in their lives that may be interested in supporting this student and their upcoming concert tour. Dan has told the students to personalize this template letter and then send it to “everyone they have met since they were a fetus.”

The letter should give an explanation of where the choir is traveling to and why it is important for them to travel, what the choir expects to gain from the tour, etc. Dan recommends that the letter explain that a donation will be a 100% effective way to support this student, and offers to create a tax deductible receipt for any contributor that is interested.

“Don’t ask for a specific amount,” Dan explained. “Make sure the letter details how much each student must raise and how much the entire trip costs. Also mention that even $5 helps.”

Included with the letter should be a self-addressed, stamped envelope with an admonition to “stay-in-touch” with the student, even if no donation is forthcoming. Also helpful is a perforated response slip included at the bottom of the letter. This can ease individual tracking issues when funds are collected centrally. Dr. Monek’s experience shows that a typical response has been about $500 raised for every 50 letters sent.

Grateful recipients should immediately follow-up with a thank you note and/or a phone call. Also, many participants have made it a point to send a postcard from their touring destination to those who have donated. After the trip, another form letter detailing the trip experience should be sent to those who have assisted.