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. For additional ideas and resources check out www.RelayForLife.org.
Individual & Team Fundraisers
The most successful teams use a combined approach of individual and team fundraising.
Individual Fundraisers - The #1 way to individually fundraise is through a letter writing or emailing campaign:
Write personal letters to your family, friends and coworkers and let them know how cancer has impacted your life. Share your feelings and the stories of those you know who have survived the battle, have lost the battle or are still fighting the battle against cancer. Make it easy for people to donate; consider including a self-address envelope (stamped or not) in the envelope when you mail your letter.
Send Emails to Friends, Family, and Co-Workers. The number one reason people donate is because someone asked them. So don’t be shy! Once registered online use the Participant Center to email everyone you know asking for support. It is best if you can customize your page and send a personalized message. You will receive an email every time someone donates to you online, and you will quickly see your fundraising thermometer rise.
For ideas on sample letters visit: http://www.relayforlife.org/
Team Fundraisers Top teams utilize varied techniques to raise their funds. The key ingredients to their success relate less to the specific techniques and more to the way they executed them. Top teams, can make virtually any type of fundraiser successful by applying the following strategies:
1. Understand your community/target audience and try to identify something that might be of value/interest to them. For example, for a country club community a social event might be most effective. For shift workers at a factory, a “free paid day off ” chance drawing might be effective.
2. Publicize the fundraiser heavily the more people who are aware, the greater likelihood of success.
3. Undertake the fundraiser with great enthusiasm
4. Pursue fundraising activities on a year-round, ongoing basis.
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Mini-Relay
Mini-Relay provides students with an opportunity to Fight Back against cancer and educate them about cancer prevention. Students also learn valuable lessons about tobacco, sun safety, nutrition, and the benefits of physical activity, while raising money for the American Cancer Society! If you would like to learn more information on how to host a Mini-Relay at your school, please contact your local staff partner or click here to view videos and download the Mini-Relay kit.
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 www.cancer.org/matchinggifts.
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Sign up Online
Signing up is fast and easy, and best of all, there’s no paperwork!
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.
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.
Make a Personal or Team Donation
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. Encourage your team members to follow your lead.
For more fundraising tips, ideas, and tools, visit RelayForLife.org. Here, you can find fundraising tools in the Relay Library, connect with other successful fundraisers in the forums and blogs to share ideas and ask questions, get sample email messages to send to friends and family asking for support, watch helpful videos, and much more!
