t’s important to send updates on your fundraising because it’s a subtle way to remind people that you’re fundraising. Many times, people have good intentions but they forget or can’t donate right at that moment.

We often hear the question, ”How often should I update my supporters?” The best answer is, when you have something to say. For example, you just reached the half-way point of your fundraising goal, your event is two weeks away, or you reached your fundraising goal (in that case, consider raising the bar and asking for more support).

If you’re training for an event in conjunction with your fundraising (for example, a marathon), send updates when you reach training milestones or even if you hit setbacks.

When you update your supporters on your fundraising, be sure to:

• Reference or paraphrase your original ask (just in case someone didn’t get your original email).
• Thank those who have already donated.
• Remind people that it’s not too late to donate.
• Show how the money donated is already helping or what the donations will be used for.

Sample email

Dear family and friends,

I’m officially less than seven weeks away from the Boston Marathon.

So far, my journey has included countless runs in the snow, a beautiful long run in Yorkshire and one in London, an 18-miler with frozen water bottles, hill repeats with my faithful running buddies at silly o’clock in the morning, three runs in a T-shirt and shorts, about four months worth of morning runs where I’ve been greeted by the sun, and many close calls with Boston city drivers.

My training has been tough, at times, especially with this snowy winter, but every time I think about sleeping in or skipping a run, I think about the people who are counting on me to do this race–those who rely on the community programs that Brigham and Women’s Hospital offers.

Brigham and Women’s Hospital programs provide jobs for young people interested in healthcare, offer programs for domestic violence victims, make compassionate services available for women with breast cancer, and support community health centers–all addressing the serious needs of the Boston community and beyond.

To those of you who’ve already supported me: Thank you so much for all your help! Together, we’ve raised $2,530 for Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and I’m getting closer to my fundraising goal of $3,000. There’s no way I could have done this without you! Your love and support keeps me moving and focused on my mission to raise money and awareness for this great nonprofit organization.

If you haven’t had a chance to donate yet or if you know of someone who might be interested in helping me reach my goal, there’s still time. Visit my page or pass it along if you’d like to help–any amount is appreciated! http://www.firstgiving.com/yourpageaddress

Also, if your company matches donations, please contact your human resources department to find out how you can double your donation.

I’m truly blessed to have family and friends like you, people who want to make a difference in this world. And for that, I thank you!

Lots of love,
Your name

PS: The Boston Marathon is Monday, April 20. If you’re in town or want to be, come watch! Let me know where you plan to be along the course and I’ll look for you.