Howard's Team: Fundraising
Fundraising Ideas
10 Simple Steps to Becoming a Top Fundraiser
Fundraising Ideas
- Focused Email Outreach – Review your list of contacts and send a targeted email to each. Don’t be afraid to ask for lots of very small donations (MANY small gifts are MIGHTY). Ask people to give you $5 instead of buying a latte, give you $10 instead of eating out for lunch, or even $20 instead of going out to the bars this weekend. This technique can also work with the social networking sites like Facebook and Linked-In.
- Collection Jar at Work - Put a little jar on your desk with a brochure on the MS Ride. Anytime someone comes into your office they will (hopefully) be encouraged to drop a dollar (or $20!). I’ve attached a flyer that you can display.
- Bake Sale – One of our riders last year raised over $800 by bringing in baked goods to her office. Her coworkers gladly donated $5 for a brownie, and that adds up quick. If you are a baker, this is something to consider.
- Plan a Restaurant Night – There are LOTS of restaurants that offer a dinner donation to a charitable cause, specifically the ones sponsoring the ride (such as BJ’s Pizza). Invite your family, friends, and fellow teammates to eat at that restaurant on a certain night.
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10 Simple Steps to Becoming a Top Fundraiser - by Jay McCabe
Each I’ve participated in the Bike MS Tour I’ve been fortunate enough to achieve “Top Fundraiser” status and last year I raised over $10,000. Over the years I’ve developed a couple of techniques that have worked very well for me (along with a couple of email templates) that I thought you might find helpful. Whether or not you use these tips, I highly recommend putting a plan in place to make the most of your fundraising efforts.
1) Select your list of potential donors and compile their email addresses. These should be people you know fairly well. The test I use: ask yourself if you would be comfortable calling them and asking for a donation. If yes, add them to your list.
2) Create a spreadsheet to track the progress of your donors. This will be critical in your follow-up.
3) Create a First Fundraising Request email template. You can use one of the email templates provided. See a sample email template below.
4) Six weeks prior to the event, send your first round of emails. Address each email individually (no bcc’s) using email Mail Merge or separate emails. This is a critical step. Bottom line, people respond to individual emails and delete bcc’s.
5) Track your progress.
6) Three weeks prior to the event, send a second round of emails to anyone who has not yet donated or responded. Use the Second Fundraising Request email template. See a sample email template below. This is where the individual tracking and follow-up comes into play. Again, it is critical that you individually address each email (no bcc’s.) You will be amazed by the number of donations you will receive from this second email.
7) One week prior to the event, make phone calls to the remaining potential donors who have not responded.
8) After the event, reconcile your donations with the MS Ride website and follow-up on any donations where you did not receive credit.
9) Follow-up with donors for any potential corporate gift matches.
10) Send handwritten thank you notes to each donor including a picture of you at the event. It might be time consuming, but it’s the least you can do to express your gratitude. The best part is that it will ensure strong repeat donors.
Email Template: First Fundraising Request
Subject: Support me to fight MS in the 2012 Bike MS Tour
Hello
As you may know, for the past X-years I've been riding in the annual MS Bay to Bay Bike Tour to raise money to help fight MS. Thanks to generous support, last year I raised over $X.
This year I've joined Howard's Team, established to support Howard Gray who bravely fights MS each day. On October 20th and 21st I plan to ride X miles to support this cause. The money raised from this event will fund continuing research to discover the cause and cure for multiple sclerosis. Equally important, it will help pay for a multitude of support services, which are critical to those like Howard whose lives have been impacted by MS.
A donation in any amount would be greatly appreciated and is fully tax-deductible. Donations can easily be made online at http://main.nationalmssociety.org/goto/jaymccabe.
Thank you for your consideration.
Jay
Make a donation to help fight MS:
Your donation can be made online by clicking on the link below:
http://main.nationalmssociety.org/goto/jaymccabe
Or, you can mail your check (made out to NMSS) to:
Jay McCabe
Mailing Address
Email Template: Second Fundraising Request
Subject: Last Chance - Support me to fight MS in the 2012 Bike MS Tour
Hello
As a follow-up to my email earlier this month, in only three weeks I will ride X miles in the 2011 MS Bike Tour. I figure there are a couple of reasons why I have yet to hear from you.
1) You just got the courage to open your 401(k) investment statement and realized that your portfolio still has not recovered from its 40% decline. After recovering from the shock of that experience, you were reluctant to make even a $10 donation.
2) You've been extremely busy and have every intention of making a donation, but just have not found the time.
I'm hopeful that you fall into the second category, and the time to make a donation is now. The good news is that a donation in any amount entitles you to receive the now famous commemorative photo of me in my top fundraiser jersey. Donations can easily be made online at http://main.nationalmssociety.org/goto/jaymccabe.
Thank you for your consideration.
Jay
Make a donation to help fight MS:
Your donation can be made online by clicking on the link below:
http://main.nationalmssociety.org/goto/jaymccabe
Or, you can mail your check (made out to NMSS) to:
Jay McCabe
Mailing Address
