Fundraising 101
Team Boomer is a program that: encourages people with cystic fibrosis to incorporate exercise into their everyday lives; provides an avenue for individual athletes in a variety of sports to raise money for cystic fibrosis; and offers assistance to grassroots athletic events looking for a cause to support.
FUNDRAISING 101
Now that you’ve registered with Team Boomer and are beginning to train for your event, it’s time to start focusing on fundraising.
We know, we know … nobody likes to ask other people for money. But with a little help from our FirstGiving online fundraising website, and some tips and tools from a variety of other resources, you’ll be on your way in no time.
THE BASICS
Start your fundraising early! In fact, start your fundraising today. Procrastination will not work. The sooner you begin, the easier it will be.
People will want to be a part of your efforts. Talk to people; tell them what you’re doing. People will want to be a part of your effort and they will want to support you! Give them the opportunity. Let them be a part of your efforts.
Ask, ask & ask. If you don’t ask for a donation you won’t get a donation. Ask everyone you know; ask everyone you don’t know. The more people you ask, the more times you ask, the more money you will raise.
Have a plan. The hardest part of fundraising is getting started. Devising a fundraising plan will make this much easier and will also help you set achievable and measurable goals.
Your reason for running (or riding or swimming or whatever). People join Team Boomer for many different reasons. Take a moment to think about why you’ve decided to join the team. Keep it in mind. Share this reason with other people, and let them feel a connection.
Send thank you notes. They are a great way to show your appreciation and make it easier to secure repeat donors.
RAISE MONEY ONLINE WITH FIRSTGIVING.COM
FirstGiving.com’s online fundraising pages make raising money and donating easy; they’ve helped transform the way people fundraise.
Most Team Boomer participants use FirstGiving for all of their online fundraising, often taking advantage of the site’s tools that help you integrate your page with social media sites (like Facebook) and also track offline donations from your own fundraising events.
To create your online fundraising page on FirstGiving,com:
1. Go to www.firstgiving.com/teamboomer
2. Click on “Get Started”
3. Follow the FirstGiving instructions on how to set up your custom page
4. Send out an email which includes a link to your page, and link to it from Facebook and other social media sites
Family, friends and colleagues who donate via FirstGiving use a credit or debit card to make a payment in an easy, secure online transaction. FirstGiving sends donations directly to the Boomer Esiason Foundation, minus a small transaction fee.
RECRUITING PLEDGES AND SPONSORS
As your family, friends, neighbors and co-workers to sponsor you and join in the fight against CF. To take offline donations (i.e., not online), please use our downloadable Sponsor Sheet and Credit Card Payment Form. Carry your sponsor sheet with you at all times – you never know when you will meet a potential donor!
SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook, Twitter, blogging – sure, you may dabble in social media, but use them as a tool? Yep. It’s actually extremely easy and beneficial to use these social media outlets to spread the word about your fundraising campaign. Having your online fundraising page linked on these outlets is an open invitation to all potential donors, such as friends of friends or people you may have been too timid to ask for donations.
Facebook is a great way to catch up with old friends, let them know what you are up to, and tell them you are supporting Team Boomer. It’s easy to integrate your online fundraising page with Facebook, and don’t forget to tell people about Team Boomer’s own Facebook page.
Twitter is a quick, fun way to keep people updated on your fundraising goal and status, as well as your progress in training. In addition to following you, your friends and family might want to start following the Boomer Esiason Foundation on Twitter.
Blogging is a very easy way to update your friends and family on your training and fundraising goals. Blogs are faster and easier to create and update than web sites, and they can keep your donors aware of where their money is going.
FUNDRAISING EVENTS
Who doesn’t love a good bake sale? Or how about a garage sale? Team Boomer participants have used these types of events – and a variety of others – to boost their fundraising campaigns. One popular fundraiser these days is a party at a local restaurant or bar, where attendees buy a ticket or make a goodwill offering in support of the cause. These events often include a raffle or other activity that results in additional donations. Want some ideas for unique fundraising events? Check out the links in the Resources section below.
SELLING PRODUCTS
A wide range of fundraising products can be sold person-to-person or in conjunction with another event in the community, such as a craft fair or flea market. Some popular ideas for sellable products include flower bulbs, candles, chocolate bars and gourmet desserts. Check out the Resources section below for more ideas on selling products as a fundraiser.
OTHER RESOURCES
There is a wealth of information available to help you fundraise efficiently and effectively. Here are a few online resources offering tips and tools that can help you reach your fundraising goal.