International Relief Teams Family Fun 5K


Talk the Walk!

We’ve made it easy for you to raise funds and expand your team via your social media channels with the messages below on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn and share this exciting news with your friends and family.

·         I hope that I can count on your support. I’ve set a personal goal of $X!  I hope you can make a donation to my fundraising page, here: (Insert link ). Thank you for support!

·         Post photos (simply copy and paste the picture into a Facebook Post, as well as copying and pasting your individual fundraising page). If you are more active on other social media networks, such as Instagram or LinkedIn, please post there.

·         Be sure to include in your posts “why” you are fundraising i.e. include mission statement in all posts! 

·         Just a few weeks out!  I am x% towards my goal of X!  Thanks for all your support, and if you have not already, I hope you will consider making a donation (insert link) to support my fundraising efforts to make a difference for (insert organization name).

·         The event is a few days away!  Please consider making a donation (insert link)!  All proceeds go to (insert organization name).  Thank you for making a difference! 

·         Week of event:  Post several times during the week!  Your original posting could be buried in a news feed – so keep posting! 


GETTING STARTED WITH YOUR FUNDRAISING!

As you reach out for donations, make sure the following is good to go

Is your page setup with photos and a personal message?

• If yes, great!  Be sure to include message "why" you support organization.  

• If not, add a photo-people will connect if they recognize you.  Link your social accounts - it will allow you to easily reach out through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Google. 

Is your minimum fundraising goal set high enough?

• Aim high from the start!  Set a stretch goal for your personal fundraising

• Don’t limit yourself to the default $200, which can be quickly reached

  • It is not uncommon to get $50 to $100 donations from donors
  • People may not donate if they see your goal was already achieved

Have you donated to your own page?

• Potential donors will more likely participate to your fundraising if someone already donated

• Donating to your own page will help start your campaign.

Have you built your list of potential donors?

• This should include friends, family, co-workers and vendors

• For each of them, identify the best way to communicate with them

▪ Contact each of them several times and in different ways.

▪ Remember that people are busy and even if they want to support your cause, they will forget. So, don’t feel bad about reminding them.

• Follow up personally by phone or in person with your largest potential donors

• Keep on posting through social media (several times during the week)

• Remind people who have not donated yet via email or phone that this is the week of the event…you are counting on them. 

 

FOLLOWING THE EVENT:  PERSONALIZED THANK YOU EMAILS

• Share with them what you accomplished as an individual fundraiser thanks to them 

• Tell them how much your organization raised

• Send them photos of the event

Fundraising Made Easy!

  • People give to you because you ask them.  They also give more when you tell them why you are asking and why it is important to you.  Make it personal.
  • First, set a goal.  Start with $250, $300 or even $1,000.  You can always adjust later.  Think big! Aim High!
  • Personalize your online fundraising page.  It is true, pictures are worth a thousand words and actually are worth more dollars donated to your cause.
  • Make your own donation first!  It demonstrates your personal commitment and gives your fundraising thermometer a jumpstart.
  • Ask those people you know, such as family and close friends, first. They are most likely the ones who will absolutely give because you asked.  This will give you more confidence to ask others.
  • Ask people that you do business with as part of your work or daily operations. They appreciate your business relationship.
  • Let everyone know why you are asking for money, how the work (insert your org. and a short mission statement) affects you.  Make it personal with an emotional tie.  
  • Ask everyone.  This includes using social media and email.   These tools are now the most common vehicle for your fundraising efforts.  Your circle of influence extends well beyond the person sitting next to you.  Put it to work for you.  You are now reaching people via their mobile devices.
  • Keep people involved with your progress, as they may feel compelled to give as they see you reaching your goal.
  • Follow-up on any ask.  Like you, people are busy.  It may take people 3 – 5 times of asking before they respond to you.  Unless someone has actually responded with a firm, No Thanks, they may still give.  Don’t hesitate to remind them.

Facts: 

  • By making your own donation first, everyone else you ask will see your commitment.
  • When family members are asked to give face to face, the average check donation will be $25.
  • When donating via your personal page email, the average donation by credit card will be $25.
  • When posting your request via either Facebook or Twitter, there are people that may not even know you but believe in your personal story, and are apt to donate at least $10.
  • Don’t give up!  It may take 2 – 3 emails to get a response.
  • Once you receive a donation follow-up with a Thank You!  Make it personal.

People can’t donate if you don’t ask