This scholarship was made possible through the generosity of a donor who is committed to making a Cal Poly Humboldt education available to outstanding students like you.
To recognize the donor’s generous gift, we ask that you write a thank you note to the donor for your scholarship. Donors enjoy hearing from students personally and like to learn about the students who receive their scholarships.
Guidelines for Writing a Thank You Note
Who Do I Write the Thank You note to?
If you don't know who to write the letter to, feel free to call Development at 707-826-5200 or email at giving@humboldt.edu.
What do I write my thank you note on?
A card or piece of stationary is ideal. Development can provide a card if you need one.
Does it need to be handwritten?
Handwritten notes are the most personal. We highly recommend you handwrite your note. If your handwriting is completely illegible, type your letter, print it out, and hand sign it. If you go this route, you may also consider adding a short, handwritten note to the typed letter.
Do I need to write a date on it?
No, not necessary.
Who do I address my thank you note to?
Some donors prefer to remain anonymous, so you can use a salutation like: Dear Donor.
What do I write in the thank you note?
- Thank the donor for the scholarship and include the name of the scholarship you received.
- Share some personal information about yourself – major, class year, where you are from, what you like best about Cal Poly Humboldt, what your career/degree goals are.
- Explain how the scholarship will positively impact your life.
- Include name of the scholarship you received. If you don't know the full name of your scholarship, call Development at 707-826-5200.
What are some different ways I can say thank you?
You can express gratitude in your thank you note in a variety of different ways. Here are some options:
- I thought you would like to know how much I appreciate your support.
- I thought you would like to know how much I appreciate your thoughtful gift.
- Thank you so much for your investment in my education.
- Thank you for the confidence you have shown in me by supporting this scholarship.
- Your help is greatly appreciated.
What do I do with the thank you note once it’s finished?
Deliver your completed thank you note to the Mail Room, 14th & B Streets, Attn: Advancement/Stewardship or mail it to Cal Poly Humboldt, Advancement, 1 Harpst Street, Arcata, CA 95521. Please include a post-it note or something similar with your name, phone number, and email and the name of the scholarship in case we need to get in touch with you regarding your thank you note.
Thank You Note Example
Dear Donor,
I am honored to be this year’s recipient of the Jane Doe Environmental Leadership Scholarship. Thank you so much for choosing to support education at Cal Poly Humboldt by funding this scholarship.
I am an Environmental Resources Engineering (ERE) major from Fremont, CA in my senior year. I came to Humboldt for the beautiful natural environment and enjoy mountain biking and hiking in my free time. My primary interest in ERE is in water quality and I have enjoyed performing experiments in my Water and Waste Water Treatment class. After I graduate from Humboldt, I plan to pursue a Master’s Degree in Water Resources Engineering.
I work part time at a local restaurant to help pay for school and this scholarship will allow me to take less hours at work this coming year, freeing me up to concentrate on my school work during my important senior year. Thank you again for donating the Jane Doe Scholarship – it will help make my senior year awesome!
Sincerely,
Beth Bennett
Class of ‘16
Questions? Contact Advancement at (707) 826-5200 or giving@humboldt.edu.