Repair the World

DIY: Fundraise for a Charity Event

As summer begins to heat up, so does the schedule of charity bike rides, walkathons and jog-for-the-cure events. From Hazon’s Jewish Environmental Bike Rides to the AIDS Lifecycle Ride and Breast Cancer 3-Day there are endless opportunities to “pray with your feet,” raise funds on behalf of an important cause, and have an amazing time while doing it.

But one thing that tends to hold people back from participating in a fundraising event is, well, the fear of fundraising. Here are some helpful tips and tricks to make your appeals for the cause easier – and even enjoyable!

STEP 1 Register for the event.
As soon as you intend on participating in a fundraising event, register. Fundraisers want to do everything they can to help you raise money, so the sooner you’re in the system and on their radar screen, the better. Registering early will give you the maximum time to fundraise, as well as access to the host organization’s support.

STEP 2 Get to know your issue.
Nothing helps you fundraise like getting passionate about the cause. Read up on your issue – be it multiple sclerosis or environmental degradation – and learn the facts. If you connect to the issue from your heart and gut, you will be able to convey that passion and inspire others to give.

STEP 3 Organize your fundraising methods.
Now it’s time to plan your attack. What methods do you hope to use: direct appeals to family and friends? An email blast to your co-workers? A bake sale or fundraising dinner or concert? Set a target amount you want to raise (aim high!), then make a timeline that plots out the various steps you’ll take to get there. While you’re at it, write a list of all the various people you plan to reach out to – remember everyone from your grandma to your Sunday running partner is a potential donor!

STEP 4 Reach out.
Once you have your list and plan in place, it is time to reach out. Make phone calls to as many friends and family members as possible, then follow up with them by email. Create an email that succinctly and passionately describes what you’re doing and directly asks for people’s financial support. Make it personal by adding an anecdote or pictures, or telling people why the event means something to you. And don’t just blast on an impersonal group email – copy and paste the basic email and personalize it with a sentence or two at the beginning. A few other helpful tips for reaching out:

• Include a deadline in your letter (set it for a few weeks earlier than the real deadline, so you can follow up.)
• Whenever possible, give people an example of where there money is going, and how the organization will leverage their fundraising dollars. If you don’t know the answer, look on the organization’s website (see example), or reach out to someone on staff.
• Make it as easy as possible for people to give by providing them a website link where they can donate online, or an address where they can mail in a check.
• If asking for money ever feels a bit awkward, just remember, you are actually doing people a favor by providing them with an easy, compelling issue or cause to support.

STEP 5 Follow up.
You will likely be surprised by some of the people who come out of the woodwork to donate – but don’t take it personally if someone you expected to give hasn’t yet. Despite people’s best intentions, sometimes they will just plain space. Politely follow up with them, remind them of the deadline, and thank them in advance for their support. Whenever you send follow ups, be sure share your successes. Let people know how much money you have already raised and how close you are to your goal.

STEP 6 Say thank you!
Don’t forget to thank each and every person who donates – it’s a basic courtesy, but more importantly, your donors are enabling your trip and also truly making a difference in the world. Let them know how much their donation means to you, the organization, and the cause.