The Ultimate Guide to Crafting a Cold Email to US Family Offices That Gets Noticed and Receives Replies

Estimated reading time: 18 minutes

Key Takeaways

• Family offices control trillions in assets but value privacy and receive hundreds of poor pitches daily.
• Single-Family Offices (SFOs) can make quick decisions, while Multi-Family Offices (MFOs) have more structure and longer timelines.
• Research is critical—use Form ADV, LinkedIn, and conference lists to build your target list for free.
• Your cold email must be personalised, brief, and value-driven—never generic or overly promotional.
• Follow up strategically with new information, and always respect gatekeepers and privacy concerns.
• Track open rates, reply rates, and continuously A/B test to improve your outreach success.

Raising capital is often the hardest job a founder has. You might be used to pitching Venture Capitalists (VCs) or Angel investors. But there is a massive pool of capital that many founders overlook.

We are talking about private wealth.

Family offices control trillions of dollars in assets. They are looking for unique opportunities. They want to preserve wealth for future generations. However, getting their attention is not easy. They value privacy. They do not advertise their email addresses. They receive hundreds of bad pitches every day.

You need a different strategy. You cannot use the same “spray and pray” tactics used for low-level sales. You need precision. You need respect. You need a perfect message.

In this guide, we will show you exactly how to do this. You will learn that crafting an effective cold email to US family offices can open doors that traditional VC routes keep closed.

We will cover:

• Where to find these elusive contacts.
• How to build a list without spending thousands of dollars.
• What to say in your email to get a reply.
• Compliance tips to keep you safe.
• Proven templates you can adapt today.

Let’s dive into the world of private wealth.

What Makes a Family Office Different?

Before you send a single email, you must understand who you are talking to. A family office is not a bank. It is not a standard VC fund.

A family office is a private company that manages the investments and life of an ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) family. Their main goal is often different from a VC. A VC needs to return money to their investors in 7 to 10 years. A family office wants to grow and keep money safe for children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Single-Family vs. Multi-Family Offices

There are two main types of offices you will encounter:

• Single-Family Offices (SFOs): These serve one wealthy family. They are very private. They often have a smaller team. They can make decisions very quickly if the family head likes you.
• Multi-Family Offices (MFOs): These manage money for several families at once. They act more like a business. They have shared resources and more structure. They offer independence and objective advice.

Investment Mandates and Timelines

When you approach a VC, you talk about “exits” and “100x returns.” When you approach a family office, you should speak their language.

They care about:

• Wealth Preservation: Keeping the money safe is often more important than risky high returns.
• Generational Transfer: They want assets that last for decades.
• Direct Investments: Many family offices are moving away from paying fees to funds. They want to invest directly in businesses like yours. This allows them to have more control.

Their decision timelines can be hard to predict. An SFO might cut a check in two weeks. An MFO with an investment committee might take six months. Understanding this helps you manage your expectations.

Why Your Strategy Must Change

You cannot treat a family office like a VC. VCs have a “contact us” form on their website. Family offices often do not even have a website.

If you use aggressive sales tactics, you will be blocked. You must be polite. You must be patient. You must show that you understand their specific family values.

Market Mapping & List Building: How to Contact Family Offices for Funding

Now that you know what they are, you need to find them. This is the hardest part for most founders. You might be asking how to contact family offices for funding without buying an expensive list that is mostly out of date.

Here is how you can build your own list using smart research.

Using Public Databases and Form ADV

In the United States, many investment advisors must file paperwork with the government. This is called a “Form ADV.”

If a Multi-Family Office manages a lot of money, they are likely a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA). This means their data is public.

Mini-Tutorial: Finding MFOs for Free

1. Go to the SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure (IAPD) website.
2. Search for terms like “Family Office” or “Wealth Management” combined with a city name (e.g., “Family Office Dallas”).
3. Read their Form ADV Part 2 brochure.
4. Look for the section that describes who their clients are. If they say “high net worth individuals” or “families,” you have a lead.

LinkedIn and Gatekeepers

LinkedIn is your best friend for this. But you have to search for the right job titles. The head of the family usually does not manage the day-to-day emails.

Look for these titles:

• Chief Investment Officer (CIO): The person who decides where money goes.
• Investment Manager: The person who researches deals.
• Analyst: The person who screens emails first.

Do not ignore the “Gatekeepers.” These are Executive Assistants or Chiefs of Staff. If you treat them with respect, they can put your email on the boss’s desk. If you are rude to them, you are finished.

Industry Conferences

Family offices often attend specific events. Look for attendee lists from conferences focused on:

• Alternative Investments.
• Impact Investing.
• Private Wealth Management.

Even if you cannot afford to attend, the speaker lists are public. These speakers are usually the forward-thinking investors who are open to new deals.

Pre-Email Research & Personalisation

You have a name. You have an email address. Do not hit send yet.

If you send a generic email, you will fail. Research is the fuel for how to contact family offices for funding successfully.

Review Investment Theses

You need to know what they like. Does this family made their money in Real Estate? They might love PropTech startups. Did they make their money in Oil & Gas? They might hate green energy, or they might be looking to hedge against it.

Look for:

• Past Deals: What companies have they bought recently?
• Geographic Focus: Do they only invest in the Midwest? Or only in New York?
• Impact Goals: Do they care about the environment or social causes?

The Relevance Matrix

Create a simple table before you write. This is your “Relevance Matrix.”

• Column A: The Family Office Name.
• Column B: Their stated goal (e.g., “Preserving wealth through real estate”).
• Column C: Your Deal Highlight (e.g., “My startup helps property managers save 20% on costs”).
• Column D: The Connection (e.g., “This fits your real estate focus”).

This ensures you never send an irrelevant pitch.

Warm Intro vs. Cold Outreach

A warm introduction from a mutual friend is always best. It creates trust instantly. However, most founders do not have these networks.

This is where cold outreach is acceptable. If you have done the research above, your “cold” email will feel “warm.” You are not spamming them; you are offering them a solution that fits their specific needs.

Anatomy of a High-Performing Cold Email to US Family Offices

This is the most critical section. We will break down the perfect cold email to US family offices. Every word must earn its place.

Subject Line Psychology

The subject line decides if your email gets opened. It must mix credibility with a little bit of intrigue.

• Bad: Investment Opportunity.
• Bad: Please read my pitch deck.
• Good: Co-investment opportunity aligned with [Family Name] Real Estate focus.
• Good: Question re: your portfolio company [Company Name].

The goal is to sound like a peer, not a salesperson.

The Opening Sentence

You have about 3 seconds to prove you are relevant. Do not start with “My name is…” or “I hope you are well.”

Start with them.

• Example: “I noticed your team recently led the round for [Company X] – their approach to logistics is impressive.”

This proves you did your homework. It establishes fit immediately.

The Value Proposition

Now, bridge the gap to your company. Why should they care? Use hard numbers.

• Traction: “We just crossed $1M ARR.”
• Potential: “We are targeting a 25% IRR, which aligns with your private market goals.”
• Social Proof: “Backed by [Famous Investor] and [Industry Expert].”

Keep this to two or three sentences.

The Clear, Polite Ask

Do not ask for money in the first email. Ask for advice or a brief conversation.

• Ask: “Are you open to a 15-minute call next Thursday to see if this fits your mandate?”
• Ask: “Mind if I send over a one-page teaser for you to review?”

Compliance & Confidentiality

Family offices worry about privacy. Add a small note that respects this.

• “I understand [Family Name] values privacy, and I am happy to sign an NDA before sharing deep details.”

Signature Essentials

Your signature is your business card. It must look professional.

• Full Name.
• Title & Company.
• Link to your LinkedIn profile (make sure it is updated).
• A direct phone number.

Sample Family Office Investor Outreach Email

Here is where we put it all together. You can use this family office investor outreach email template as a base. Do not just copy and paste it. You must fill in the bracketed sections with your research.

Template 1: The “Specific Alignment” Approach

Template 2: The “Impact & Legacy” Variation

Why These Work

• Personalised Hook: It shows you know them.
• Brevity: It respects their time.
• Low Friction: It only asks for a chat or a look, not a check.

Follow-Up Cadence & Persistence Without Annoyance

You sent the email. You got no reply. Do not panic. This is normal.

Family office principals are busy. They might be traveling. They might have missed it. You must follow up, but you must not be annoying.

The 3-Touch Sequence

We recommend a simple sequence over two weeks.

1. Day 1: The initial cold email (from the section above).
2. Day 4 or 5: A quick “bump” with new value.
3. Day 10-14: A final “break-up” or channel switch.

Provide New Information

Never write “Just checking in.” That adds no value. Instead, share news.

• Follow-up Idea: “Since my last note, we just signed a partnership with [Big Company]. Thought this might be relevant to your evaluation.”
• Follow-up Idea: “Here is a recent press piece about the problem we are solving.”

Switching Channels

If email does not work after three tries, try a different path.

• LinkedIn InMail: Send a short, polite note connecting to them.
• Phone: If you have a number, a polite voicemail can work. “I sent an email and wanted to ensure it didn’t get buried.”
• Conferences: If you know they will be at an event, try to meet them there.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even smart founders make basic errors when emailing family offices. Avoid these traps.

Mass Mail-Merge

If you send the exact same email to 500 family offices, you will fail. They can smell a template. If you call them “Dear Investor” instead of their name, they will delete it. AI tools can help you personalise at scale, but you must ensure the data is accurate.

Overly Promotional Language

Avoid hype. Words like “Disruptive,” “Revolutionary,” and “Guaranteed Returns” are red flags. Family offices are conservative. They prefer “Steady growth,” “Proven model,” and “Risk-adjusted returns.”

Ignoring Gatekeepers

If an assistant replies and asks for more info, treat them like the CEO. They hold the keys. If you try to bypass them, you will be blocked.

Bad Attachments

• Do not attach a 20MB PDF. It will bounce or go to spam.
• Do not use links that require a password unless you provide it clearly.
• Use a simple DocSend link or a small PDF attachment (under 2MB).

Legal & Etiquette Considerations

Raising money is a regulated activity. You must protect yourself and the investor.

SEC Regulations and Reg D

In the US, you generally cannot publicly advertise that you are raising money unless you follow specific rules (like Rule 506(c) of Regulation D).

• Ensure you are only contacting “Accredited Investors.” Most family offices fit this definition easily.
• Include a disclaimer on your deck regarding “Forward-Looking Statements.”

NDAs (Non-Disclosure Agreements)

Family offices are private. They might ask you to sign an NDA before they look at your data room. Be ready for this. It is a good sign—it means they are serious.

Respecting Privacy and CAN-SPAM

• Always offer a way for them to say “no thanks.”
• If they say “remove me from your list,” do it immediately.
• Never share their contact info with other founders without permission.

Tracking, Metrics & Continuous Improvement

You cannot improve what you do not measure. You need to track your outreach efforts.

Open and Click Rates

Use a tool that tells you if your email was opened.

• Open Rate: Tells you if your Subject Line is good.
• Reply Rate: Tells you if your Pitch is good.

If people open your email but do not reply, your offer is not clear, or you are targeting the wrong people.

A/B Testing

Try two different subject lines for 20 people each. See which one wins.

• Test A: “Investment in [Company]”
• Test B: “Partnering with [Family Name]”

CRM Tagging

Keep your list clean. Tag investors based on their feedback.

• “Not interested – Wrong Sector”
• “Interested – Too Early” (Contact these people again in 6 months!)
• “Meeting Booked”

Conclusion

Reaching out to family offices is a marathon, not a sprint. It requires more homework than emailing a VC, but the rewards are often greater. These investors can be partners for decades.

Let’s recap the steps:

1. Research: Understand if they are an SFO or MFO and what they care about.
2. List Build: Use public data to find the right contacts.
3. Write: Draft a cold email to US family offices that is short, personalised, and value-driven.
4. Follow Up: Be persistent but polite.
5. Measure: Track your results and refine your approach.

The capital is out there. It is sitting in private accounts, waiting for the right opportunity to preserve and grow it. If you can show them that you are that opportunity, you will succeed.

Action Checklist:

• [ ] Identify 10 target family offices this week.
• [ ] Find one specific “hook” for each office (a past deal or news item).
• [ ] Draft your template using the guide above.
• [ ] Send your first batch of 5 emails on Tuesday morning.

Download our free cold email template for US family offices or subscribe for weekly insights on investor outreach.

Start your outreach this week. Your ideal investor is waiting for your email.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a Single-Family Office and a Multi-Family Office?

A Single-Family Office (SFO) serves one ultra-wealthy family and is highly private with faster decision-making. A Multi-Family Office (MFO) manages assets for multiple families, operates more like a business, and has more structured processes with longer timelines.

How can I find family office contact information without buying expensive lists?

Use the SEC’s IAPD database to search for Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) that describe themselves as family offices. LinkedIn is also valuable for finding Chief Investment Officers, Investment Managers, and Analysts. Additionally, review speaker lists from industry conferences focused on alternative investments and private wealth management.

What should I include in the subject line of my cold email to a family office?

Your subject line should mix credibility with intrigue and reference their specific interests. Examples include “Co-investment opportunity aligned with [Family Name] Real Estate focus” or “Question re: your portfolio company [Company Name].” Avoid generic phrases like “Investment Opportunity.”

How many follow-up emails should I send if I don’t get a response?

We recommend a 3-touch sequence over two weeks: the initial email on Day 1, a follow-up with new value on Day 4-5, and a final attempt on Day 10-14. After that, consider switching channels to LinkedIn InMail, phone, or in-person networking at conferences.

What are the biggest mistakes founders make when emailing family offices?

Common mistakes include sending mass mail-merge emails without personalisation, using overly promotional language like “revolutionary” or “guaranteed returns,” ignoring or disrespecting gatekeepers, and attaching large files that bounce or go to spam. Family offices value conservative, tailored communication.

Do I need to worry about SEC regulations when emailing family offices?

Yes. In the US, you generally cannot publicly advertise fundraising unless you follow specific rules like Rule 506(c) of Regulation D. Ensure you only contact accredited investors (most family offices qualify), include disclaimers about forward-looking statements, and respect CAN-SPAM rules by offering an opt-out option.

What metrics should I track to improve my family office outreach?

Track open rates (to evaluate subject lines), reply rates (to evaluate your pitch quality), and use A/B testing on different email variations. Maintain a CRM with tags like “Not interested – Wrong Sector,” “Interested – Too Early,” and “Meeting Booked” to refine your targeting over time.

Should I ask for money in my first email to a family office?

No. Your first email should ask for advice or a brief conversation, not capital. Ask for a 15-minute call to discuss fit or permission to send a one-page teaser. This low-friction approach respects their time and increases the likelihood of a response.