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FUNDRAISING TIPS
Ask Ask Ask!!!
Perhaps the most important but most overlooked key to successful fundraising is the ASK. Don't assume that because you're excited about the event and you've shared your fundraising goals that friends and family will automatically give you a donation. You must ask. Ask, and ask BIG.
You know what most people can give. Ask appropriately, but always ask for more than you expect to receive. If you ask for $100, they may give you $50, but if you ask that same person for $25, they will give you $25, even though they can give more. Don't be afraid to ask, and don't take rejections personally. Especially in these tough times, not everyone is able to give. Remind people that anything they can do is going to a wonderful cause. No amount is too small to accept….and no amount too big to ASK!
Step #1
Be creative and thoughtful in your list and give yourself flexibility to add more people to the list at another time. The important step to take is action, and by beginning a list, action turns into results.
Create a list of people to ask. Think of friends, family, business associates, your company, community groups, workout buddies, businesses you patronize, high school or college networks etc. Be creative and thoughtful in your list and give yourself flexibility to add more people to the list at another time. The important step to take is action, and by beginning a list, action turns into results!
Step #2
Now start asking. There are several ways to ask: in person, on the phone, via e-mail or computer, or in a letter. A new and extremely effective way to contact people is through websites such as Facebook or Myspace. Start a Facebook group for your Breathe California trek and send it out to all of your “friends”. You will be amazed at the many people from both your past and your present who are excited to support you in your good cause. Another effective way is to send an e-mail (example is below) using our online services. You can also send a letter and include a self-addressed, stamped envelope and wait two weeks. After two weeks have gone by, begin calling these people (or, if you run into them, talk in person, or e-mail them) to remind them of your letter and ask them if they would like to give you a pledge. By taking your fundraising seriously, your supporters will pledge you seriously. If they say no, simply thank them for their time. But they can’t say no..if you don’t ASK!
It's as easy as that. Honest. Some of our biggest fundraisers simply write a compelling letter and follow it up with a call, a visit, or an e-mail.
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Other Ideas That Work
- Pledge yourself first! Your first donation should be from you. You know your financial abilities; give the most you can. It's more convincing to outside sponsors that you believe in what you're doing if you sponsor yourself. Show them that you are serious.
- Ask your sponsors to dedicate their donation to someone they know who has or had lung disease or someone they hope will never contract it (a child, husband/wife, and parent). Tell them that you will dedicate a portion of your ride to this person.
- Take a potential sponsor out to lunch and ask for a large donation ($500?).
- Find out if your company has a volunteer recognition program. After all, as a Trekker, you are a volunteer of Breathe California. Many companies offer cash recognition for volunteer services. Also find out if your company has a matching gifts program.
- Network with friends to see if they know any companies that give to charities. More than one Trekker has received a $500 check for Breathe California from a company with whom they had no previous relationship.
- Use your talents! One Trekker bakes goodies and charges a donation. Another collects prizes and raffles them off to make money. Be creative, you will definitely find fun and easy ways to collect extra money!
- If your birthday or a major holiday falls before the Trek, ask for donations instead of gifts.
- Get on the agenda of your local service club. They might vote to support you.
- Throw a party and borrow the ETBT slide show presentation and "WOW" your guests by showing them what a terrific time you will be having-don't forget to ask for donations!
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