Writing something to a donor? Here’s how to do it right.

Some people find writing easy.
For others, every written communication takes real effort.

Which group do you fit into?

If you’re in group two, and you’re leading a mosad Torah, you’re a bit stuck. Written communication is part of the job whether you enjoy it or not:

Thank-you notes.
Personal emails.
Updates.
Requests to meet.

Many leaders procrastinate these messages for weeks. And when they finally sit down to write, the process feels heavy, draining, and uncomfortable.

Here’s the good news:
You don’t need to be a “writer” to write well.

And today, you don’t even need to start from a blank page.

With the right approach – and the right tools – donor communication can become clearer, warmer, and far less stressful.

Below are three simple principles that make donor writing work. I’ll also show how ChatGPT can support each one, without replacing your voice or authenticity.

(Group one – don’t tune out. These will sharpen your writing too.)

Tip 1: Keep It Casual

You run a serious, respected organization.
So it’s tempting to sound… serious and respected.

Formal language.
Official phrasing.
Mission statements squeezed into emails.

Here’s the problem: formality creates distance.

When donors feel formally addressed, they don’t feel personally appreciated. And donor communication lives or dies on connection.

Warmth beats polish.

So write like you speak.
Use everyday language.
Drop the corporate tone.

Yes, you may be sending the same email to many people. But your goal is for each donor to feel like it was written just for them.

How ChatGPT helps here:
You can draft something messy, stiff, or overly formal – and ask ChatGPT to soften it.

“Make this warmer.”
“Make this sound more conversational.”
“Make this feel like a personal note, not a mass email.”

You stay in control.
ChatGPT just helps remove the friction.

Tip 2: Help Them Live the Magic

Numbers don’t move people.
Experiences do.

Stats are important, but they’re faceless on their own. What donors really connect to is what their gift made possible.

Instead of listing achievements, paint a picture:

“Your support helped fund programs like the Melaveh Malka we held last month. A packed room of Jewish neshamos singing together, learning with joy, holding onto the kedusha of Shabbos just a little longer. All because of your gift.”

Details matter.
Emotion matters.

Let donors feel what they helped create – or what they could help create next.

How ChatGPT helps here:
If you know what happened but struggle to describe it, ChatGPT can help you shape the scene.

You give it the raw facts.
It helps you turn them into a vivid, human moment.

Not exaggerated.
Not flowery.
Just alive.

Tip 3: Remember Who It’s About

It’s your organization –
but the story isn’t about you.

Yes, you should share growth and impact. But shift the credit.

Instead of:
“We expanded x initiative.”
“We brought in 100 more participants.”

Try:
“Your support helped expand x initiative.”
“You helped bring 100 more people into the program.”

The goal isn’t to impress donors.
It’s to make them feel meaningful.

Donors don’t want applause.
They want to know they mattered.

How ChatGPT helps here:
It’s excellent at reframing language from “we” to “you”.

You can ask it to scan a draft and shift the focus back to the donor – without changing the facts.

So, going forward

Strong donor communication is:

• Casual – not formal
• Descriptive – not dry
• Donor-focused – not self-focused

And here’s the key point:

ChatGPT doesn’t replace your leadership, your relationships, or your judgment.

It simply removes friction.

It helps you get unstuck.
It helps you say what you already want to say – clearly, warmly, and confidently.

When your writing does that, it does more than communicate.
It deepens relationships.
It builds trust.
It moves donors closer.

Have a fabulous fundraising week,

Avraham

Copyright © 2025 Avraham Lewis & Co.