Fundraising Tips!

Did you know … One of the main reasons people do not get involved or donate money is because they were never personally asked!

Top Reasons for Fundraising Online

1. You can ask people worldwide to support you
2. You can customize your personal by adding a photo, story and graph representing your goal
3. You can import email contacts to your ePledge profile
4. You can track who has supported you, as well as your goal and your online pledges
5. You can link your ePledge page to social media networks such as Facebook to allow your friends to pledge online
6. You can keep a journal of your training and success as you prepare to take part in Gutsy Walk
7. Electronic receipts will automatically be issued for online donations
8. You can find or join a team
9. You can review your previous years’ results and achievements (provided you had an ePledge account in previous years)

Tips on how to fundraise

This section provides you with tried-and-true tips and tools to help you achieve your fundraising goals.

1. Set a goal
   Commit to a high goal such as $1,000 in order to achieve Top Pledge Earner status and take advantage of great prizes and contests. Making donors aware of a high goal lets them know that you are committed. Some of our Top Pledge Earners have found that longtime donors gave more when they knew they had a high goal.
   
2. Fundraise online
   There are great benefits to ePledge: Through ePledge, you can send out friendly emails, keep donors up to date on your journey, and allow others from anywhere in the world to pledge online. Donors receive automatic 'thank-you' responses and tax receipts, while you receive instant email notification of donations. You can also set up your own team and choose your prize online, among other benefits.
   
3. Make a personal pledge first
   We recommend you pledge yourself first, and make it as significant as you can. When donors see your name and a contribution, they will see how serious you are, and donate accordingly.
   
4. Tell your story
   Share your personal story of why you are raising money for CCFC. When you tell your story on your personal page on ePledge, and in person, people feel more compelled to donate. The most compelling web pages containing touching personal stories historically have the best fundraising results.
   In your personal story, you might want to write about how IBD has affected you and what finding the cure means to you, your family and the over 200,000 Canadians living with IBD. 
5. Ask! Ask! Ask!
   Ask as many people as you can: the accountant, banker, pharmacist, dentist, doctor, lawyer, personal trainer, hairstylist, florist, the owner of your favourite restaurant, etc. The more people you ask, the more you will collect.
   Promote the event everywhere and consider everyone a potential donor. Keep a copy of the pledge form with you at all times. You never know when a pledging opportunity will arise!
   
6. Ask for a specific amount
   Be specific about donation amounts. For returning donors, tell them what they donated last year and ask them to beat it this year.
   
7. Start Early
   The sooner you start collecting donations, the more you will collect. For personal or professional reasons, people may not always be available at the last minute to sponsor you.
   
8. Be optimistic
   Excitement is highly contagious and it's important for potential donors to know and feel how enthusiastic the participant is about the event, their donation, and their part in the mission to find the cure!
   
9. Add personal fundraising links to email signature
   You can receive unexpected donations by linking your email signature block to your personal online fundraising page.
   
10.  Inquire about matching gifts
    Contact your Human Resources department to find out if your company has a corporate matching gift program. If they do, you can obtain and complete a form and turn it in with your pledges – it's an easy way to double your total.
    As well, you can encourage donors to ask their companies for matching gift forms; many donors are not aware this is an option. Often, even if a company does not have a matching gift program, they will support your efforts financially.
    
11. Get Creative
    Fundraising is more than simply asking for a donation. It's a chance to get creative and engage friends, family and colleagues. Here are some ways to fundraise creatively:
    • Hold garage sales / bake sales / bbq / dinner party at home
    • In lieu of a special occasion gift, ask for a donation
    • Hold a draw as an incentive, where donors who pledge a specified amount or more are eligible to win your prize
    • Organize a neighbourhood car wash
    • Get donations in exchange for services – baby sitting, shovelling, lawn work, etc
12. Stay Motivated
    You don't have to be afraid to take no for an answer from people. People often donate to many causes and may not find it possible to donate to everyone who asks. Don't be offended if people say no.
    
13. Stay in touch / Thank donors
    Try to keep in touch with your donors. For example:
    • Send emails to the list of contacts updating them on your progress
    • You can also send personalized thank-you messages as soon as you receive notification of the contribution
    • Be positive and appreciative in letters/emails.
    • Thank everyone after the event and include a grand tally of the contributions received as well as the total collected for the entire walk.
14. HAVE FUN!
    Remember, you are making a difference in the lives of people living with IBD. Thank you!

How to become a Top Pledge Earner in 10 days:

Where do you find potential donors?