Find out which fundraising efforts the judges chose as best of show in our 2006 Gold Awards for Fundraising Excellence.

By Margaret Battistelli Gardner

The party theme carries over to the back of the envelope, which is covered with illustrations of confetti and multi-colored balloons. Stretched across the back of the envelope, below the Food for the Hungry return address on the envelope flap, is an illustration of ribbon and the words, “Please Do Not Bend,” written across it.

Inside is a double-sided, 8.5-inch-by-11-inch letter that continues the envelope’s party theme — with more multi-colored confetti and balloons to the right of the salutation. The letter, signed by Food for the Hungry President Benjamin K. Homan, indicates that the mailing is from Food for the Hungry’s Child Sponsorship Ministry and discloses the cause for celebration: “Edithalice Puno’s birthday celebration is coming!”

The 3.5-inch-by-8.5-inch reply device reiterates the message above the ask string: “I want Edithalice to have the best celebration ever! Please send this birthday card to my child, and share the blessing of the celebration with as many children as possible!” Next to each amount in the ask string is the number of unsponsored children that will benefit from the donation, e.g., “$27.50 for two unsponsored children.”

The 3.5-inch-by-7-inch birthday card carries over the cupcake-and-confetti theme and includes the message, “Jesus Loves You,” personalized with the child’s name below. The inside left panel has a Gospel verse from the book of Mark, while the right panel reads, “I love you too! With lots of love,” and a line for the donor’s signature.

Concluded Conway: “The Celebration Appeal continues to be a consistent performer for Food for the Hungry. With a response rate of nearly 38 percent, an average gift of $30.59 and an ROI of 5.44, the performance of this appeal was fantastic!”

Our judges whole-heartedly agreed, and they happily named this Package of the Year, as well as the winner in the Special Appeals category.