Fundraising Tips and Tools
Download the 2010 Participant Packet HERE
Fundraising Tips
Reaching the Minimum Fundraising Goal of $150 is easier than it sounds!
- Put in your own gift
- Ask your significant other for a gift
- Ask your boss for a gift
- Ask two co-workers for a gift
- Ask two friends for a gift
- Ask your neighbor for a gift
- Ask a relative for a gift
If all of these individuals give you $25 each, (not unusual) you've just raise $225 and exceeded your fundraising goal. We're sure you can think of more people to ask and soon you will be on your way to becoming one of our top fundraisers and qualifying for fabulous prizes.
Other Tips:
- Start early
- Ask everyone and anyone!
- Use email
- Ask with energy and enthusiasm
- Collect as you go
- Share your success!
- Ask your contributors if their company has a matching gift program. This will double their gift!
The key to getting money is asking! Other suggested people you can ask:
Aunt / Uncle / Dry Cleaner / Decorator / Church or Synagogue Members / Spouse / Coach / Friends / Contractor / Cousin / Landscaper / Banker / Vendors / Librarian / Grandparents / Clergy / Roommates / Veterinarian / Dentist / Florist / Teacher
Fundraising Tools
Donation Forms
Offline Donation Forms are available to download here
List Your Potential Donors
The first important step in a successful fundraising effort is to make your list of donors. Any contact you have throughout the day could be a potential donation. Next to each name, select the amount you will ask for and the method you will use to ask for it.
How to Ask
There are several ways to fundraise for the community walks. You will probably try a combination of all of these or come up with ideas of your own, because each donor may need a different approach.
- Email and Your DonorDrive Fundraising Webpage
Email is another great way to reach a large group of people quickly and easily. If you know a group of your donors who are internet savvy, email may be the best way to reach them. Sending out fundraising emails is made easy through your personal fundraising webpage. In DonorDrive, you can personalize your fundraising page with your reason for walking and a photo where donors can make an online contribution. You can also send out emails that include the direct link to your fundraising page to potential donors to make donating online as easy as possible.
- The Face-to-Face Ask
This is the approach you'll want to take when you're asking for a large amount. If you're approaching a potential big donor, take them to lunch or arrange a meeting one on one. Tell them in person what you're doing and how much it means to you. Ask for your big donation, then wait and be silent. Give the moment the seriousness it deserves. Then let them answer. A second face-to-face approach is the casual conversation. Talk to your dentist or your hair stylist. Most of them are not doing what you are doing and they will never know unless you tell them. Don't hesitate to talk to complete strangers when you are on an airplane or waiting in line at the grocery store.
- Fundraising Letter
Consider sending a fundraising letter to everyone in your address book. Many people are enormously successful with a fundraising letter campaign. It tends to result in a smaller donation than a face-to-face ask, but if you have a large number of people to ask, or most of them are out-of-town, a letter can be the way to go. When you sit down to write your fundraising letter, remember to personalize it as much as you can. Address each donor by name, and start out conversationally, as if it were any other friendly letter. Then talk about the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, explain this event, and mention your personal reasons for participating. Don't make the letter too long, but just long enough to inspire them. You want your enthusiasm to be contagious. You can also include an offline donation form and return envelope to make doanting as easy as possible.
- The "Friend-of-a-Friend" Approach
You can expand your circle of donors even beyond that initial list of names. Every time someone agrees to make a donation, ask them if they will take an extra donation form and pass it on to someone else. Or ask them to forward your email to a friend. This way you can reach people you don't even know! Ask your spouse to take donation forms to the office, ask your mother to take forms to church or ask your best friend to give donation forms to their relatives. It's a great way to spread word-of-mouth, and to multiply your donations.
- Phone Calls
A phone call is somewhere between a fundraising letter and the face-to-face approach. For some people on your donor list, it may feel unnatural to send them a letter. But maybe you just can't get together in person. Pick up the phone, and just start talking. Talk about the event and ask for a donation. Similar to a face-to-face ask, be sure to leave a moment of silence afterward to let the other person consider their gift and answer you.
Follow Up and Thank Yous
Make sure that you follow-up with everyone that has not donated. Often times, people might be intending to donate and just need a gentle reminder. Let them know that every dollar counts in the fight to prevent suicide and there is still time to donate. Send them a note to keep them updated on your progress as you fundraise.
Once you have received a donation from someone, let them know that their contribution -- whatever the amount -- is important to you and that you appreciate it. Send them a thank you note or invite them to the walk. After the event, you may want to send out a newsletter or email with some photos and an additional "thank you" for your donors' support.
Matching Gifts
You could potentially double your donations with matching gifts. Many corporations will match any charitable donations their employees either raise or give. Ask your employer if they have any plan like this in place. Then also ask your donors if their employers offer matching gifts. For more information on matching gifts, please click here
Reaching Out to the Media
Reach out to your local media outlets to talk about your participation in the event. It could bring in donations from people you wouldn't otherwise reach.
Here is a sample letter which may be used in your fundraising efforts. Personalize this fundraising letter and send it to everyone you know. Don't forget to include the following:
- Reasons you are walking
- How much you intend to raise
- Information about AFSP and its mission
- A specific monetary request from the individual
All checks should be made payable to AFSP and sent to the address below.
You can also give online. All donations are 100% tax-deductible. AFSP
Attn: Community Walks
120 Wall St., 22nd Floor
New York, NY 10005 |
