How do I write a fundraising buckslip that gets donations?

A fundraising buckslip has one job: move a donor to give. Keep it single-minded, emotional, and easy to act on. The most effective ones read in a few seconds and point straight to a donation path.

• One call to action: ask for the gift clearly and resist adding competing links or messages.
• Emotional, specific language: show the impact of a donation with a concrete example rather than a general appeal.
• Consistent branding: use your organization's colors and logo so the piece is instantly recognizable.
• Frictionless response: add a QR code or a short, memorable URL that lands directly on the donation page.
• Quality stock: a sturdy 14pt gloss makes the piece feel professional, which reflects on how donors perceive the cause.

Test one clear message rather than crowding several asks onto a single slip, and track responses so the next mailing gets sharper.