How to Write a Letter to Go with a Money Donation

Lauren Treadwell reports:

"Charities provide goods and services to people in need. Most charities and other nonprofit organizations rely on donations from the public to fund their activities. Although monetary donations alone are fine, organizations also like to receive letters [from] their donors to show them they are on the right track. The letter you include with a monetary donation doesn't need to be formal but it should include the basics. Start the letter with your name and address at the top of the page on the right. Put the name and address of the organization on the left side of the page. Address the letter to a specif[ic] person if you can[;] if not, 'Dear Sir or Madam' is fine. Tell the reader how you came to know about the charity or program. Tell him why you are sending the donation. If you are sending a donation in a specific person's name or memory, tell the charity that as well. Give the person's address if you want her to receive a thank-you note from the organization[.] Tell the organization how you would like them to allocate the money if you have a specific request. Otherwise, tell the reader that your money is for general purposes. Tell the reader if you are willing to help out in other ways besides monetary donations. Request a receipt for your donation so you can claim it as a deduction on your taxes. Thank the organization for the good work. Sign the letter at the bottom."