How to raise more money with effective remittance envelopes

Remittance envelopes may be the unsung heroes of a successful appeal. A well-crafted letter inspires your donors; a remittance envelope makes it easy for them to turn that inspiration into action and actually donate to your organization. The reason for this couldn’t be simpler: The more convenient it is to donate, the more donations you’ll receive.

Remittance envelopes are small envelopes that are pre-printed with your organization’s mailing address and are used by donors to enclose a donation and provide their contact information. A flap covers the donor’s information. The size of the remittance envelope is typically 3 ⅝” x 6 ½”. The envelope collects the donor’s contact information, lists suggested donation amounts, and allows them to enclose a check or provide their credit card details.

Source: Print & Copy Factory Corporation

Whether you’re a small or new organization just getting ready to start using remittance envelopes or you’re already using them, this checklist will help you make sure that your remittance envelope is designed with your donors in mind.

How to use envelopes effectively:

1. The look and feel of your envelope should be consistent with your organization’s letterhead, website, and other materials.
2. Keep it simple for the donor to fill out. The remittance envelope should make it easy and efficient for donors to contribute to your organization. It can be tempting to try and collect lots of information (How did you hear about us? Are you interested in volunteering?), but posing too many questions can make this process cumbersome and deter giving. Once you receive a donation, you’ll have the donor’s contact information and can follow up with them then.
3. Display a few suggested donation amounts with an example of what each covers (for example, $25 provides five kindergartners with school supplies) and leave a space for “Other” in case donors want to give a different amount that feels right to them. If you’re using an online donation form, confirm that there is consistency between the amounts listed online and those listed on the envelope.
4. Use a font size that’s easy to read, and remember that your donors need room to comfortably provide their information. If they have to write in tiny print, you’ll have a hard time deciphering their contact info.
5. When designing the layout, be careful not to place lines for essential information where they will be consumed by the gluey seal of the envelope flap.
6. Don’t mail an appeal without including remittance envelopes. Remember to track inventory of these types of envelopes, just as you do for letterhead, mailing envelopes, and postage. You can ensure your appeal gets mailed on schedule by having all the materials on hand when you need them.

Conclusion

Remittance envelopes can make it convenient for people to give a contribution. You invest time into writing a compelling appeal letter, so ensure the letter is coupled with an equally effective response device that makes responding to your appeal a no brainer. With that combination, you’ll be well on your way to a successful appeal!