Review your letter to ensure that you have already explained clearly the goal of your fundraising efforts earlier in the letter. Use your closing paragraph to move your reader to action. Restate your need in one sentence by affirming that your cause is something the reader should care about. For example, write:
"I'm sure you agree that there are far too many homeless people on the streets of our community."
Clearly state what action you want the reader to take in response to your appeal. Tell the reader to make a monetary donation, bring a bag of clothes, or donate cans of food or whatever specific item you are requesting.
Make it easy for the reader to respond. Tell them what giving options you can facilitate and enclose a postage-paid envelope and response card or online giving website for the reader to give through. Emphasize simplicity and ease in how you word your instructions and include a deadline for donations. For example, write:
"I'm sure you agree that there are far too many homeless people on the streets of our community. Help eliminate homelessness in Clark County by making a donation online at <website.com> or sending a check made payable to "Help for the Homeless" in the enclosed, postage-paid envelope no later than May 10."
Skip a line and thank the reader for his time and consideration. Include your signature block with contact information and write a short post script (P.S.) message two lines below the last line of your address block. For example, write:
"Five minutes is all it takes to give hope to the homeless."
Think of your P.S. as something that will grab the reader's attention and pull them into your letter.