Confessions of a Fundraising Copywriter

She got up without saying another word and left my office. I picked up my coffee. It was cold. But my heart was warmed by the thought of another chance to help one more worthy nonprofit organization raise more money to do more good.

Sure, I'm a hired pen. Lots of people think all I want is another notch on my Mac. But I learned a long time ago that life is never like the brochure. I know because I wrote the brochure. But since I started writing for nonprofits, I have no problem sleeping at night.

I poured myself a fresh cup, sat down, turned toward the window and put my feet back up. It had stopped raining. And I was no longer brooding over my last ungrateful client. I had a new case now. I had some missing donors to find and was already writing the letter in my head: Dear Preferred Name ...

When Richard DeVeau isn't living a double life as writer-for-hire Rick Grant, he can be found in his office above the pool hall, next to the honky-tonk, penning fundraising appeals and integrated campaigns at Richard DeVeau Creative.