The Welcome Package for New Investors After They Fund Your Deal
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The weeks after an investor wires money are when doubt creeps in. Did it arrive? What happens now? When do I hear from you? A good welcome package answers those questions before they are asked and sets the tone for the whole hold. This post lists what to include and a simple calendar. It is general information, not legal advice.
What goes in the package?
| Item | What it says |
|---|---|
| Welcome and confirmation | Thanks, the amount received and the date, in the investor's name |
| What happens next | Closing steps and the date range, and what you will tell them once closed |
| Timeline | Closing, first update, first distribution date if the documents say so, K-1 timing |
| Contacts | One email and one name for questions, and the investor portal link |
| Communication calendar | Quarterly reports, calls and ad hoc news, and where they are posted |
| Documents | Copies of what they signed and a list of what to keep |
| Tax overview | When K-1s are expected and a note to share them with a CPA |
| Fraud notice | You will never email changed wire details, and how to report suspicious messages |
| Update my information | How to change an address, bank details or entity |
See investor onboarding checklist and investor portal.
What should the timeline say?
Use dates only where they are in your documents or under your control, and ranges where they are not. Typical items: expected closing window, first post-closing update, first quarterly report, the quarter when the first distribution is scheduled under the agreement, and the time of year K-1s are expected. See K-1 timing and how to pay distributions. If the closing date changes, tell investors promptly.
How do you handle the tax note?
Say that each investor receives a K-1 reporting their share of income, loss and capital, that partnership returns often take time, and that investors should share the K-1 with their own CPA (IRS, Partnerships). Do not give tax advice. See investor tax questions.
Why include the fraud warning?
Criminals send fake emails that look like they come from the sponsor or title company, with new wire details. A line in the welcome message and in every distribution notice helps. Tell investors to call a known number to verify any change, and to report fraud to their bank and to the FBI's IC3. See wire fraud and protecting investor data.
What is a simple communication calendar?
- Day 1: welcome and confirmation.
- Closing: closing announcement and next steps.
- First 30 to 90 days: takeover update and the plan.
- Each quarter: report, distribution notice if any, a call.
- Year-end: K-1 timing note and a year summary.
- Any time: news that matters, as soon as you know it.
See quarterly report template and quarterly investor call agenda.
What must the emails follow?
Commercial emails should follow CAN-SPAM, with honest headers and an opt-out (FTC); service notices tied to an investment are not marketing, but keep them clear. Everything you tell investors must be accurate (17 CFR 240.10b-5). See email deliverability.
Our take
The welcome message is cheap and does a lot. An investor who knows what to expect is easier to serve for years. Write it once, reuse it for every deal and improve it with their questions.
Trade-offs and who this is not for
- Not a place to sell the next deal. Keep the welcome about this one.
- Common mistake: promising a distribution date that depends on events you do not control.
- Not a substitute for counsel.
How DoorRaise fits in
DoorRaise helps sponsors raise equity for apartment buildings with 5+ units from friends and followers who already trust them, under Rule 506(b) or 506(c). We are software, legal document preparation, escrow coordination and verification services. We are not a law firm, broker-dealer, investment adviser, funding portal, bank or escrow agent, and we do not hold investor money: investors wire their money to escrow at Enterprise Bank & Trust, in the deal's name.
DoorRaise keeps the deal in its own company with its own documents and a deal page, and runs an accreditation check on every investor, in 506(b) and 506(c) raises. Flat fees, never a percentage of the raise (see pricing). Create your free sponsor page.
FAQ
When should I send a welcome message?
Within a day of receiving the investor's funds, confirming the amount and next steps.
What dates should I put in the timeline?
Dates you control or that your documents set, and ranges for the rest.
Should I include tax information?
A brief note on K-1 timing and a reminder to consult their own CPA. Do not give tax advice.
Why warn about wire fraud again?
Fraudsters target investors after they fund. A clear notice helps them spot fakes.
Sources
- 17 CFR 240.10b-5
- IRS, Partnerships
- FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
- FTC, CAN-SPAM Act compliance guide
This article is general information, not legal, tax or investment advice. Talk to a securities attorney about investor communications. DoorRaise is not a law firm, broker-dealer, investment adviser or funding portal.