Crossword Genius

Card from TV fundraiser raised no hope initially (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

notelet

'card' is the definition.
(a small card or paper for a note)

I can't explain the rest of the clue.

(Other definitions for notelet that I've seen before include "Small sheet for letter" , "Brief communication" , "Short annotation or letter" , "Small written communication" , "correspondence" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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