Sample Letter: Non-Profit Volunteer Organization

November 15, 2004

Dear (general),

I am writing to you because I have just discovered a wonderful opportunity for an overseas experience that is bound to change my life. Cross-Cultural Solutions, a non-profit volunteer organization, offers a program that places volunteers in countries such as India, Ghana, Costa Rica, Brazil, Guatemala, Tanzania, Russia, China, Thailand, and Peru for a variety of community development projects. Cross-Cultural Solutions' mission is to operate volunteer programs around the world in partnership with sustainable community initiatives, bringing people together to work side-by-side while sharing perspectives and fostering cultural understanding. My placement will focus on children, who are an integral part of all societies around the world and providing adequate care for them is becoming an important part of everyday life. I will have the opportunity to teach, learn from, and care for children in an entire community. In addition to the services I can provide in child care my knowledge will enable me to speak on the importance of immunization programs, HIV/AIDS awareness, women's empowerment, etc. in Costa Rica when I return.
Cross-Cultural Solutions is a recognized leader in its field, sending thousands of participants overseas every year and having been profiled in more than 300 news outlets, including Time, Newsweek, USA Today, The New York Times, National Geographic Traveler, CNN, and the ABC Nightly News.
They are an independent, registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All Cross-Cultural Solutions programs are run solely by volunteer contributions, and therefore each program has a fee. The fee for this 2 week program, including all meals, lodging, travel medical insurance, and in-country transportation, totals $2,279 and does not include costs associated with obtaining a visa or immunizations or airfare to Costa
Rica.

To be able to go on this program, I need financial assistance, which I hope you can help provide. Even monetary support would be greatly appreciated. I hope to be able to raise a total of $3,200 by mid. April, the expected date for my departure being July 9th. If you choose to lend your support to this cause, you'll be pleased to know that all donations are 100% U.S. tax-deductible. If you don't have the money now, you could always post-date a check, or fill out a sponsorship form in which I will get back to you at a designated time. If the donation is $50 or greater, you will receive a receipt from Cross-Cultural Solutions for your contribution. If the donation is less than $50, you will be able to use your processed check as evidence of your contribution. Additional information on donation is enclosed.

For your convenience, I've enclosed a self addressed stamped envelope. Checks should be made out to Cross-Cultural Solutions, but mailed to me. You can also go online to www.crossculturalsolutions.org and make a secure payment online at Cross-Cultural Solutions' Program Payments page of their website. Should you have any questions about the volunteer program, please call me at --------, or call Cross-Cultural Solutions at [phone]. Your support, and the support of those you know is greatly appreciated. I look forward to sharing this extraordinary experience with you upon my return.

Thank you in advance.

Yours truly,

Donations made by check:

Please ensure -
___ Checks are made payable to Cross-Cultural Solutions

___ Volunteer name is in the memo section of the check

___ Donors mailing address is provided (either on check or separately)

Donations by Credit Card:

Please visit: http://www.crossculturalsolutions.org/signup/payments.cfm