Fundraising Challenges
So I've been learning that I tend to do things backwards. I've been running around getting all my stuff in order to write my fundraising letter and send it out to people, but only today did I download the Fundraising Hangbook. Duh. And let me tell you that it's a lot better than the book I got out of the library - "How to Write Irrestible Fundraising Letters", from 1965. So I will hold off another few days on writing my plea for money.
Speaking of money, for the marathon, the total amount I'm required to raise is $5700.00. I would love to raise more than that, but I'll deal with first things first, as this is my first go at it all. I'm a bit worried, as I really don't like asking people for money, but I will go about raising that much money in the same way as I am going about running 42.2 K - slowly and surely.
The first hard deadline I have for fundraising is May 31st, by which time I need to have $1425.00 tucked away.
By June 28th I need to have $2850 (another $1425 in one month!)
By July 26th I need to have $4275 (same again) and the final date is August 30th when I have to submit the full $5700.00
Like the running training the Joints in Motion program provides, they also offer fundraising tips and sessions, a personal web page and support. Which makes it all sound so easy, but I don't know....my baking isn't very good...
Does anyone have any surefire fundraising ideas?
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It seems that the people who
It seems that the people who have done it have not had any trouble fundraising, but they all seem to be a lot older than me, so by default have a network of friends with more money as well as more people affected (directly or indirectly) with arthritis. I don't necessarily want to just ask for cash, so I'm thinking about having a raffle for something generic like alcohol or a restaurant gift certificate, but I'm not sure what would be most effective. It's odd because most of the ideas put forward (in the handbook) seem like they would work well in the suburbs - meat draws, bbq's, car washes, etc - so what works in an urban area? I guess I will learn fast!
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how about something simple
how about something simple like selling crafts or handmade cards?
and make sure you hit up all the people at work! maybe you can even talk to them about some kind of matching program? if you raise a certain amount, they'll also donate the same amount? not sure what kinda place you work at, but doesn't hurt to try!
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oh that's a good idea! I am
oh that's a good idea! I am making some cards anyways! and my friend has been selling earrings to raise money to send poor kids to college, so I think that could be something that works. yay!
and I will definitely be hitting up the workplace for money. they make tons, so I'm sure they can spare some...
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Hope you had success with
Hope you had success with your sample fundraising letters and goals. Those sounded like pretty high numbers. Cheers.
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I'd do some sleuthing and
I'd do some sleuthing and find out what most people would say is a reasonable amount that they would give (I wonder if you could ask the joints in motion folks what the average gift is - stripping out the major gifts)
Then you will have an idea of what you can comfortably ask people. From there you can get a sense of how many people that means you have to reach.
This does a couple of things..
-helps you set goals that make sense
-clarifies your 'ask' so that you can tell people exactly what you want them to do. For example, which is more likely to compel you to act:
1. I am running a marathon in honour of my mother who suffered with arthritis. I am trying to raise thousands of dollars that will go toward arthritis research. I really need support. Will you help?
2. I am running a marathon in honour of my mother who suffered with arthritis. I need to raise thousands and thousands of dollars that will go toward arthritis research. I have done some math and I have a lot of work in front of me, but I can reach my fundraising goals if x amount of people donate $10 (or $15 or whatever you decide is your magic number)
Will you donate $10?
Be as clear and direct as you possibly can. People generally want to help. And we seem to respond well to being coached through the process of how to help. Leave it up to us though, and we will just flounder and perhaps even forget about your cause.