|
Successful Fundraising Tips for Tour For Kids
Follow these simple principles and watch your fundraising
total grow!
Remember, fundraising is not asking for money or a loan. You
are asking as an official
Tour For Kids participant who is fundraising on behalf of
cancer survivors everywhere!
1. Start your preparations by creating a plan
- Plan and organize! Be resourceful and creative when thinking
of potential donors, events and fundraisers that you can
do. Remember that people are more likely to give to people
they know and for causes in which they believe.
- The best way to raise funds is to use a combination of
techniques:
-Start by asking your friends and family.
-Make a list of all the people you could approach, fundraisers
and events you would like to hold, and the sponsored activities
you could do.
-Face-to face solicitation is the most effective and cheapest
(if your potential donors are local).
-Send personalized emails or letters
-Commercialization of products sold benefiting Tour For Kids.
If you or a friend own a business and would like to give Tour For Kids all or part of the proceeds from the sale of your product,
you can state your intention to your customers by using the
words "proceeds from the sale of this item benefit camps
for children with cancer." We ask that you specify either
the percentage of the proceeds that you will be sending us or
a firm dollar amount, this will make it clear to your customers
what you are passing on to us. You are not permitted to use
the logo in conjunction with the sale of commercial items.
2. Start early
- It is better to get the word out, ask early and then
follow up with potential donors, than to ask later and have
one shot at getting a donation from them. Be sure to give
your contributors a deadline for when funds must be entered
into your account, and how they can make instant on-line
donations.
3. Educate your donors
- About the Tour For Kids mission and goals.
- About childhood cancer survivorship
- About cancer camps
- About your personal fundraising pledge, what personal
reasons you have for participating and who you will dedicate
your ride to in the Tour For Kids ride.
4. Let potential donors know the benefits of contributing
- An opportunity to help children with cancer attend a
cancer camp.
- Make a difference in the many and various programs supported
by Tour For Kids.
- A tax deductible donation.
5. Follow through
- Send reminders and updates to potential donors on your
fundraising progress and how far/close you are to your goal.
- Keep details of everyone who has supported you (and people
whom you’ve supported in the past). This is good practice,
and also helps you keep track of whom you need to thank.
- Don’t forget to tell your donors about matching
gifts! Have them check with their HR department, as many
companies will match donations made by their employees.
6. Recruit volunteers
- You may be surprised at how many people will be willing
to help you raise funds. Try to involve everyone you possibly
know. Many people you know even casual acquaintances will
support your efforts and be potential donors. Childhood
cancer and survivorship affect more than those diagnosed
with the disease. Friends, family members, co-workers, and
acquaintances touched by cancer can help spread the word
about the events you plan to host and solicit donations.
- Approach your local Legion, Rotary, Lions Club, Veterans
associations, Junior League, and other social clubs.
7. Give back to those who are giving to you
- Wear their logo, bake them cookies, send a personalized
thank you letter with a picture of you at the Tour For Kids
ride.
8. Aim High
- Think big and be bold. Ask for a specific amount and
aim high. No one is ever insulted because they were asked
for too much money. They will "bargain down" and
find their own comfort level. More often you will find that
you get exactly what you ask for.
9. The most important thing to do is ask!
- The worst anyone can say is ‘no.’ Remember
to keep your Tour For Kids information with you everywhere
you go so that you can help them say ‘yes’.
- Donors that you don’t know are still donors; it’s
OK to get donations from people you do not know. Just remember
to thank them, as you do all donors. Carrying your fundraising
letters everywhere you go may result in receiving donations
in unexpected places.
10. Keep a positive attitude and remember why you are
participating in the Tour For Kids ride.
- Remember that when asking for donations you may hear
‘no’s’ a lot, but every ‘yes’ will
make your efforts worth it.
- Donors that you don’t know are still donors; it’s
OK to get donations from people you do not know. Just remember
to thank them, as you do all donors. Carrying your fundraising
letters everywhere you go may result in receiving donations
anywhere you go.
|
