Confession: I am a huge nerd. And having read the Harry Potter books again for the third or fourth time, it occurred to me that Hogwarts must have a development office, just like so many other schools.
And that must mean they ask for money. Err … galleons. So, since it’s Friday, here’s the annual appeal letter for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Enjoy.
Erik
Dear Harry,
Calling all Hogwarts alums! This is the 1028th time the Development Office of Hogwarts is conducting its annual appeal, and we need your help!
Despite excellent management of our funds by the goblins at Gringotts Bank, the Hogwarts Endowment is not producing the galleons we need it to in order to keep our doors open to every young witch and wizard in Britain.
We are pleased that many of you are considering Hogwarts in your estate planning, along with other noble institutions like St. Mungo’s Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, but we are dismayed that many have chosen to restrict their gifts to pure blood wizards that are sorted into Slytherin House.
Those who choose to make unrestricted gifts this school year will be invited into our Four Founders Circle, and be invited to a special reception on campus with all four house ghosts.
Thank you for your consideration. As our school motto says, Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titillandus.
Sincerely,
Imelda Juno Askington
Vice President for Development
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
P.S.—We have revised our donor levels! Whomping Willow level donors are now eligible for a customized Hogwarts butterbeer pitcher, with your house name symbol engraved on the side, as well as recognition in the spring issue of Spellbound, Hogwart’s award-winning alumni magazine.
P.P.S.—Please feed the owl that delivered this letter, as it helps reduce Hogwarts administration costs!
If you want tips on how to write an actual fundraising letter, you can find a detailed step-by-step guide in my book The Little Book of Gold: Fundraising for Small (and Very Small) Nonprofits. It’s not as much fun as writing a letter from Hogwarts, but it will definitely help your organization write a compelling annual appeal.—Erik
