Whether or not this is your first fundraising event, you may feel a little intimidated asking people for money. However, raising money for a great cause is not as hard as you might think.
Nearly everyone has been affected by cancer in some way. If you’re a survivor or caregiver, or if you’ve been touched by the experience of friends and loved ones with cancer, it’s easy to find people who want to support your efforts by making a donation…all you have to do is ask!
To help you get started, we’ve included a few fundraising tips below.
Sign Up Online Start your own team with up to 14 of your friends, family or co-workers, or join an existing team. Signing up is fast and easy, and best of all, there’s no paperwork! If you would like a paper team registration form, click here.
Set Your Team or Individual Goal
The minimum to receive a commemorative event t-shirt is $100 dollars per person. Team recognition levels start at $2,000 to $50,000. Reaching your goal is easy, use this tool to create your plan. Helpful Hint: Remember to increase your goal online when you approach your original goal as donors like to help you reach your goal, not go way over your goal.
Set Up Your Personal Web Page
When you sign up for Relay online, a personal Web page will automatically be created for you. It’s best to customize this page by adding a photo and story and explaining your reason to Relay. The tools in the Participant Center will walk you through simple steps on how to add these personal touches to your Web page. Kickoff your own fundraising efforts by making a donation to yourself or to your team. Sometimes it just takes one person to start the ball rolling.
Send Emails to Friends, Family, and Co-Workers
The number one reason people donate is because someone asked them. So don’t be shy! Email everyone you know asking for support. You will receive an email every time someone donates to you online, and you will quickly see your fundraising thermometer rise. Or utilize the Facebook application to reach your goals by reaching our to your contacts what you communicate daily with on Facebook If neither of the above yields you results, we suggest a personal letter with return envelope. Remember to send letters to those who do not use email as their main form of communication and enter any donations your receive this way in your participant center on your personal web page as an offline donation to see your progress to goal grow and grow.
Set a Team Fundraiser
Pull your team together to plan your team fundraiser. Here are some ideas to get you started car wash, Spaghetti dinner, bean bag or Wii Bowling tournament. Visit http://www.relayforlifeillinois.com/ for 100’s of fundraiser ideas and how to’s.
Double Your Money Through Matching Gifts
Many employers offer matching gift programs. Your $50 donation could turn into $100 just by asking your human resources department if they have a matching gift form and reminding friends and family who support you to do the same. For more information, please visit our Matching Gifts page.
For more fundraising tips, ideas, and tools, visit RelayForLife.org
