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Donor Thank You Letters

Tips for writing your thank you letter

Thanks for taking the time to write to your scholarship donor. A personal note from you lets your donors know their investment in Calvin is meaningful and appreciated!

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Diagram of an envelope with name and address in upper-left corner, donor's formal name and address in the center, and stamp in the upper right corner.

Step 1: Write your donor’s name clearly and be sure to spell it correctly. 

Step 2  Say thank you! Here are some ways to show your appreciation:

  • Thank you for investing in my future.
  • You’ve helped make my Calvin education possible—thank you!
  • I can’t thank you enough for helping me in this way.
  • Your gift has made a huge difference in my life—thank you!
  • Thank you for your dedication to Calvin University and to my education. 

Step 3  Tell your donor about your background, your experience at Calvin,  and your educational and career goals. 

Step 4 Don’t forget to watch your spelling and grammar.

Step 5  Sign your name and include your graduation year.

Dear ______,

Thank you for investing in my future! Your gift has made it possible for me to attend Calvin University, and I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to pursue a Christian education. This year I’m looking forward to taking a variety of classes that will give me hands-on experience in the education field. I’m also excited to help plan some upcoming dorm activities and reconnect with friends while making new ones. 

I can’t thank you enough for helping make all of this possible. This scholarship is making a real difference in my life and I appreciate all of your support. 

Sincerely,

_______

Make it official

Address your donors using a formal salutation. For example: Dear Mr. and Mrs., Dear Dr. and Mrs., or Dear Doctors. Include today’s date, proper closing, and space for your signature. Print your letter on clean, quality paper or stationery.

Introduce yourself

Tell your donors about yourself. Where are you from? Why did you come to Calvin? What is your major? What are your educational and career aspirations?

Say “Thank You”

And don’t be afraid to say it more than once! Thank your donors for making this scholarship possible. Tell them how and why this funding has helped you. What opportunities will this scholarship make possible for you?

Look it over

Read your letter at least twice before signing your name. Have you avoided unnecessary words or phrases and awkward constructions? Check and re-check your letter for spelling and grammatical errors. If you’re using a computer, don’t rely solely on spell check.

Send your letter!