Fundraising Success Stories

Katie's Story

Total Raised: $1,890

Total Raised: $1,890

My daughter received a letter in the mail back in March of 2009. The letter detailed her recommendation to the JrNYLC in Washington, D.C. during the summer of 2009. She was excited by both the recommendation and the idea of attending the conference. However, the requirement of the $1,890 for the cost of tuition for the conference was not in the family budget.

My daughter researched the tuition and financial assistance section of the JrNYLC Website. She decided to raise the needed tuition money by sending letters of solicitation out to local businesses and friends. The tuition and financial assistance section had many helpful tips and customizable letters to use. She typed two different letters; she typed one letter for local businesses and one letter for friends using the customizable letter found in the tuition and financial assistance section of the JrNYLC Website. She utilized technology (mail merge in Microsoft Word) to produce and send 100 letters to local businesses and friends. Each local business or friend received a letter detailing her recommendation and the JrNYLC conference, a sample conference schedule, and her letter of acceptance from the conference. In addition, she included a return receipt and self-addressed stamped envelope for the convenience of the donator. Furthermore, each donator received a letter of thanks and a promise of details about the conference upon her return.

My daughter's fundraising efforts paid off as she raised $1,975. The generosity of both strangers and friends was astounding and greatly appreciated. For example, one local business owner sent my daughter $500. Thus, the generosity of donators will be sending my daughter to Washington, D.C. for a life changing experience this summer at the JrNYLC.