Tying 500 New Knots

in Dakota County’s Safety Net

The Open Door’s New Donor Recruitment Campaign

The safety net The Open Door provides to tens of thousands in Dakota County each month is weaved together through the bonds of a few thousand supporters just like you. Together, we’ve been able to accomplish so much for our neighbors in need.

Now, we’re trying to do something big before the year is over – we’re hoping to find 500 new donors to support our mission! And we’re asking you to help! Our supporters are our biggest asset, and we know there is no one better suited to recruit more help to the cause than you. Whether it’s a $5 donation or a $500 donation, every new supporter you bring into our work will make a difference.

Campaign Progress

New Donors

801

As of December 31st, 2025

Your Donor Recruitment Toolkit

Thank you for being our champion! We’re asking you to reach out and engage those around you – friends, colleagues, and neighbors – to support The Open Door.

We’ve seen time and time again that once someone is introduced to our work they are likely to get involved in whatever way they can. We’ve come up with seven different ways you can spread the word – some of which directly ask for a financial gift, while others are more subtle.

Click on each action below to see more!

📣 Post on Social Media

📧 Send Out Some Emails

Email is great way to reach people you know and trust. We’ve written a few templates for you. All you have to do is copy, paste, and personalize it with a few words about why this is important to you.

Email Template: For Family & Friends

COPY

Subject: Thinking of you & a cause I love

Hey [Name],

Hope you’re doing great! I wanted to reach out to you about a campaign a local charity is doing that I think you’d want to help with. The organization is called The Open Door, and they provide over 20,000 people in Dakota County fresh, healthy food each month.

Right now, they’re in the middle of this big campaign called “500 New Knots,” aiming to find 500 new donors to strengthen our community’s safety net for families facing hunger. With other resources for families being cut, the support The Open Door provides is more important than ever.

I was thinking about people in my life who are so compassionate and generous, and you immediately came to mind. I truly feel you’d be a perfect fit as a supporter. Would you consider joining me as a supporter and making your first-ever donation?

There’s no minimum amount needed! Any amount helps them get closer to their goal and makes a real difference.

You can learn more and become a new donor here: https://theopendoorpantry.org/newknot/

Let me know if you have any questions about my experience with them!

Best,

[Your Name]

Email Template: For Your Professional Network

COPY

Subject: A great opportunity to get involved with a local organization

Hi [Name],

I’m writing to you on behalf of an organization I’m personally involved in and very passionate about: The Open Door.

The short story is this: the need for food support in our community has never been higher, and The Open Door is our largest and most innovative hunger relief organization – serving over 20,000 people a month. They run a large food pantry in Eagan, deliver lunches to students across Dakota County in the summer, run a community garden program, and their mobile food program brings healthy food directly into 35+ high-need neighborhoods, schools, and senior living facilities.

They are a vital safety net, but that net needs to be stronger. To meet their growth and protect against market uncertainties, they’ve launched a campaign to find 500 new donors by the end of the year.

I thought of you specifically because I know you appreciate smart, tangible solutions to complex problems. The Open Door is a lean, effective organization making a measurable difference, and I believe you’d be a great fit as a supporter.

Would you consider a first-time gift to help them reach their goal?

You can see their work and donate here: https://theopendoorpantry.org/newknot/

Thanks for your time, and reach out if you want to hear more about my experiences with this fantastic org!

Best,

[Your Name]

📄 Share Our Flyers in Your Community

🚶‍♂️ Bring Someone New in for a Tour

💬 Have The Open Door Speak at Your Workplace, Church, or Club

A member of The Open Door team can bring our mission to life for your group, sharing impactful stories and information about our work. We handle everything – all you have to do is provide the audience. Our presentation can be tailored to your group’s interests and can cover topics like; the state of hunger in Dakota County, sustainability and environmentally friendly aspects of our work, the impact of supporting local organizations, and of course an overview of The Open Door and what we do!

Request a Speaker

Your Name(Required)

First Last

Your Email(Required)

Your Phone Number

Organization/Group Name(Required)

Estimated Audience Size

Preferred Dates

Let us know if you have a firm date and time, or if you have a more flexible date range in mind.

Additional Comments

Bonus: Example of what to say to your meeting organizer

COPY

“Hi [Name], I’d like to suggest a speaker for our next meeting. I’m a supporter of The Open Door, Dakota County’s local hunger relief organization (they serve over 20,000 people in the county each month). A member of their team offered to do a brief 15-minute presentation on the amazing work they do for our community. It would be a great way to introduce our group to their mission. Can we find a time for them to stop by?”

📦 Do a Neighborhood Collection

⭐ BONUS: Make a Direct Connection

Questions, Comments, Ideas?

Feel free to contact our Communications Manager, Shelbi at shelbi.schadendorf@theopendoorpantry.org

Tying 500 New Knots

in Dakota County’s Safety Net

The Open Door’s New Donor Recruitment Campaign

Campaign Progress

Your Donor Recruitment Toolkit

Photos

Captions

Email Template: For Family & Friends

Email Template: For Your Professional Network

Tour Schedule

Bonus: Example of what to say to invite someone for a tour

Request a Speaker

Bonus: Example of what to say to your meeting organizer

Get the Full Kit

Download Individual Pieces

Questions, Comments, Ideas?