Sermon notes (sermon outline)
A classic three-point sermon outline on cue cards: a hook, the passage in context, three points with illustrations and application, and a closing response.
Speech10 cardsAbout 5 min to speakIntermediateCommunity
Fundraiser appeal and volunteer thank-you
A clear, honest fundraising appeal for a church, school, charity or club event: the need, one real story, what each gift does, how to give and thanks to volunteers.
Free to use, edit, print and study. No account needed: your set stays on this device.
The cards
- 1
Welcome and thanks
Good evening, everyone. I'm [name], [role] at [organisation].
Thank you for being here tonight, and thank you to [venue, sponsors, organisers] for making it happen.
- 2
Who we are
[Organisation] [what you do, for whom, and where] in one or two sentences.
We've been doing this since [year], thanks to people like you.
- 3
The need
Right now, [describe the real need simply: a roof that leaks, a waiting list, a food bank that runs low each winter].
Use only figures you can check: [your real number, e.g. families on the list].
- 4
One story
Let me tell you about [a first name used with permission, or "a family we'll call ..."].
[A short story of what changed for them because of this work.]
- 5
What your gift does
- [Amount] can [specific thing, e.g. fill a food hamper]
- [Amount] can [specific thing]
- [Amount] can [specific thing]
Our goal tonight is [target] for [project].
- 6
How to give
You can give [by card at the table / with the QR code on your seat / in the envelope / online at ...].
[Tax receipts or gift aid details, if they apply.] Every gift, large or small, helps.
- 7
Where the money goes
Every gift tonight goes to [project], and we'll report back by [date] on [what you will share: progress photos, a newsletter, the final total].
[If relevant: our accounts are published at [where] / we are a registered charity, number [...].]
- 8
Not only money
If you can't give tonight, you can still help by [volunteering, sharing our page, donating goods, praying for us].
- 9
Thank you, volunteers
Please join me in thanking [names or teams] who [cooked, set up, sold tickets, gave their weekends].
Lead the applause.
- 10
Close
Thank you for believing in [organisation's purpose]. Together we can [the outcome].
Enjoy the rest of the evening; [what happens next: auction, music, dessert].
How to use this template
This template is for anyone making the appeal at a fundraising event: a church building project, a school fair, a charity dinner, a sports club night or a community food bank. A good appeal is short, specific and honest. It tells people who you are, the real need right now, one story that puts a face to it, exactly what different gifts will do, how to give in the room and what else people can do if they cannot give money. It ends by thanking the volunteers by name, which matters as much as the money raised. Five minutes is about right; any longer and the room loses energy. Fill every bracket with real, checkable details from your organisation. A short transparency card explains where the money goes, which gives donors confidence to give generously.
Tips
- Only quote numbers you can stand behind, such as your own waiting list or budget; never borrow or guess figures.
- Get permission before telling anyone's story, change names where needed, and protect the dignity of the people you serve.
- Make the ask clear and once: say the target, the amounts and how to give, then stop talking and give people time.
- Have card readers, QR codes and envelopes ready on tables before you speak, so the moment of generosity is not lost.
- Report back afterwards, by newsletter or at the next service, on how much was raised and what it achieved.
- Ask a volunteer to make the thank-you card if you are the main organiser, so the praise does not sound like self-congratulation.
Make it fit
- For a church appeal, add a short line about generosity from your tradition and a reading reference, and remind visitors there is no obligation.
- For a school fundraiser, invite a student to share the story card in their own words.
- For an online appeal or livestream, put the giving link on screen and repeat it at the end.
- For a volunteer thank-you event with no appeal, keep the welcome, who we are, one story, the volunteer card and the close.
Updated October 28, 2026