July 29-August 1, 2010
FUNDRAISING TIPS
Here are the top five fundraising tips, but there are 70 more for you to think about.
Download all 75 fundraising ideas
Tip #1-Know Why you are Participating
A personalized letter is the most basic tool of fundraising, and that's because it works. Whatever else you do, write a letter first! Use it to explain the facts - that you'll be participating as a rider or crew member in ACT 8, Wisconsin's AIDS Ride, riding 300 miles over four days, and that you'd like them to help you support people living with HIV and AIDS. Include some facts about AIDS and our beneficiary, AIDS Network and why this is important to you. Send your letter to everyone you have an address for, and then look for more addresses and send even more letters. Don't forget to include a donation form and a pre-addressed return envelope.
- Use the ideas you develop here for the body of your e-mail to your potential donors who you contact electronically.
- If you are asking older donors for pledges, they may not use e-mail or prefer snail mail pledge requests. Send your letter to everyone you have an address for, and then look for more addresses and send more letters. Don't forget to include a donation form and a pre-addressed envelope.
Tip #2-Go Paperless
The Internet and e-mail have significantly affected the fundraising world. Use them to your advantage:
- Let people know that they can make donations on your behalf at kintera.org. Be sure to include your Rider or Crew online name!
- Spend some time designing your Kintera fundraising page so that it tells your story of why you are participating. Contact your mentor or participant support if you need help.
- Add a short message about donating to your e-mail signature.
- Send an e-mail to everyone in your address book.
Tip #3-Work the Neighborhood
There are countless opportunities to raise money within a few miles of your home. Think about it: the coffee shop, the gym, the laundromat, the car wash, the supermarket, the newsstand, the dry cleaner, the video store, the dentist's office, the bar, the deli, the parking lot, the bike shop, the pizza place. You patronize these businesses all the time - ask them to help you out with your fundraising effort. How?
- Just ask for money - businesses, too, can be donors.
- Put a poster in the window, explaining what you're doing and how to help.
- Display a donation box and/or letters & donation forms on the counter.
- Ask the business to donate a portion of their proceeds on a given day.
- Offer to wear their name on your t-shirt in exchange for a donation.
Tip #4-Get Social
Making contact with as many people as possible will be key to your fundraising. Chances are that your friends and family will be more than happy to be a part of your fundraising campaign, but you'll probably need to go beyond your inner circle.
- Throw a party!! Ask everyone who attends to write a check when they enter the front door.
- Or host an event - a film screening, a boat cruise, a band night in a local bar.
- Ask your friends to ask their friends for donations.
- Then ask their friends to ask their friends.
Tip #5-Bring It to the Office
Your place of work is another opportunity to reach more people, and they're often a captive audience. Let people at work know what you're doing, and enlist their help:
- Just ask for money. Your company might be happy to donate to your fundraising goal.
- Then, ask for more - see if your company has a matching gift program.
- Send an e-mail to the entire company with a donation form attached.
- Set up a small display - maybe hang your AIDS NetworkT-shirt or a poster, in a prominent place.
- Approach clients, vendors, anyone else your company does business with (make sure it's OK with the boss!).
- Host a lunchtime meeting and do a presentation about the Ride and your commitment to your colleagues.
