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Here are some great ideas and suggestions to help you and your fundraising efforts.
How to Raise Funds Like a Pro
Practice by asking your family, friends and co-workers to sponsor you (once you practice on them it makes it easier to ask others.
Never be afraid to ask – the worst anyone can say is no!
Talk to your employer; ask them to match the money you raise. Many companies will be interested in corporate donation matching.
Have a fundraising competition in your office – if your company has divisions you can compete against each other.
Give copies of your sponsor sheet to family members and/or close friends and ask them to help you with your fundraising efforts. Be sure to educate them on the charity and your involvement
Compose a well though e-mail or letter to everyone you know, also ask them to forward the e-mail/letter on to others or print it off and hang it up in the lunchroom at their work. The more people you reach the better your chances are of meeting your fundraising goal.
E-mail a lot? If you use your e-mail often, be sure to include a line in your automatic signature that tells People what you are raising money for and how they can support you!
Ask your employer to have a weekly dress down (casual day). Ask each employee to donate a loonie to dress down - make sure you discuss all the details with your employer
Have a Garage Sale, think of all the great items that you no longer use that would be a valued treasure for someone else! You can also ask your neighbors if they won’t like to donate items for your garage sale! Make posters and let people know where the proceeds are going, you can even create a donation jar for people who may just want to support you
Birthday/Special day gift pledge – ask your family members and friends to donate or sponsor you for your birthday or special occasion in lieu of a gift.
TELL people about your participation in this great event and why you are raising this money. You may have a personal story of why you are doing this – the more People you share this information with the more you create awareness.
Do you have a local or community newspaper? Usually they allow free ad space So why not place an ad asking for donations, make sure you explain why you are raising this money and where it goes. Including a picture is always a great touch – make sure you include information on how people can contact You.
Ask a local restaurant to donate a percentage of their sales for a day or a busy time of day to support you. You can ask if you can make flyers and post them or hand them out to patrons entering the establishment
Bake Sale – why not have a bake sale or ask your local ladies group or church to give you a hand in fundraising through a bake sale together.
Krispy Krème Doughnuts – Did you know that Krispy Kreme supports fundraising efforts? Contact your local store for details on fundraising opportunities
Dinner Party – have a dinner party and set out a donation of $50.00 per person to attend. Plan out your meal plans and try to spend $20.00 per person or less on your cost to prepare the meal – If you invite 10 people that would equal to $300.00 or more in donations.
Union at work? Why not approach your Union at work for a donation, most groups such as these have funds set aside for donations or supporting a cause!
Talk to the corporations and small businesses that you know locally or have connections with, let them know what you are doing and let them know how they can help you.
Are there places that you attend regularly, such as church, the gym, etc that you can ask if they will sponsor you? Or even ask if you can make your own posters and post them at their facility to help let people know what you are doing and help raise donations.
Design a Website – design a website telling people what you are doing and why? Be sure to send an email to everyone in your address list and invite them to visit the website.
Business Cards – You can easily design and print inexpensive business cards on your own computer. Ensure you include all important information on the card including your name, contact information, and the name of the event. Hand these out to everyone you meet
Don’t be shy!!! Approach people you don’t know for donations, it can be someone in front of you in line at the grocery store!
House Party/ladies evening – This is fantastic and fun way to fundraise. Invite some friends over for a wine tasting or munchies event, ask them for a donation to attend. It is a fun way to raise money and mingle with your friends!
Colleague Fundraising Challenge – Talk to everyone in your office and have them challenge each other to raise the highest amount. You can offer a prize for the winner (i.e. gift basket, dinner certificate)
Snail Mail – If you mail letters the traditional way, print return address labels for your outgoing mail. Print something like, “Will you sponsor me?”, include the event name.
In memory of... – If you’re participating in memory of a loved one or for a loved one, be sure to include a picture of you with your loved one in your donation letter, e-mail, posters, etc.
Local Clubs – most areas have a local Lion’s Club, Rotary Club, etc. Write a letter to your local club and ask them to support you.
Rent donation – Ask your landlord to donate one month’s rent to the cause!
Answering Machine Message – Leave a message on your home machine and/or your cellular machine. This will alert everyone who calls you know that you're up to something special. Let them know that you need their support!
Send a letter or e-mail – compose a nice letter that you can mail or e-mail to your network of family, friends & co-workers. Tell them what you are participating in and that you need their help. Ask them to forward the letter or e-mail to their friends as well.
Follow Up! – That’s right, so you have asked for a donation, they have said yes, but you have yet to receive their donation. Gently remind them that your event is around the corner and that they indicated their interest in supporting you and this great cause!
Send Updates – Let your family, friends & supporters know how your fundraising is going. Include a reminder on how to support you in your efforts.
Signing your Correspondence – Start the habit of signing your notes, Letters and cards with your name and the name of the event. You will be surprised at how many people will ask you about it.
E-bay – Round up some of your goods and goods from your friends, place them on E-bay to be auctioned off – what ever you make on the sale add to your donations.
Donation Form - Personalize your donation form. Make it unique and eye-catching –If you have a personal story and/or reason for your participation include it! Give some to your family and friends to help you collect more donations.
ASK!!! Don’t be afraid to ask, and ask again. If you know someone who may be able to donate more than the average donation – ask them to help your fundraising efforts!
Doctor/Dentist/Therapist/Veterinarian/Chiropractor - Ask them to make a donation to sponsor you!
Internet Chat Rooms – Post a personal message on an internet chat room.You may be surprised by the people breast cancer touches, share their stories and ask for a donation.
Corporate Matching via a Friend – Ask a close friend to see if they can have their company match donations. You can even ask your friend to see if their company would be interested in a corporate fundraising contest against your company.
Local Fair or Carnival – Some cities/towns have annual carnivals, fairs or craft shows. Talk to the organizers to see if they are willing to donate some funds to your cause from proceeds of the fair.
Have a booth – talk to organizers of your local fair, carnival or event. Ask them if you can set up a donation booth. You can talk to people at the event and ask for their support.
Donations for Dares – Has you ever been dared you to do something? Or maybe they need a volunteer for a dunk tank or a pie toss at a fair/event? Many people will give you money for doing crazy things (like shaving your head).
Do something fun! – At your local event, ask organizers if you can paint children’s faces, etc for donations.
BBQ – some larger grocery stores have fundraising BBQ’s throughout the year. Approach the store and see if the proceeds from one barbeque can be donated to your fundraising.
Corporate Sponsorship – Choose one or several large companies and contact them directly. They may be willing to sponsor you completely if you put their name or logo on the sweater or shirt you wear at the event.
Children’s Party – Throw on a children friendly outfit and get out there! The kids will be having fun as their parents are writing you donation cheques!
Spare Change Box – Start a jar and keep it near your door, every day put all your extra coins in it – those loonies and toonies add up quickly. Take it one step further, put it on your desk at work and ask others will join you. Or talk to your work to see if you can put one by the coffee/water machine and ask for donations.
Movie Party – Host a movie party at your house. The local video store announces the new movies due out soon…..Choose a new flick at your local movie store, make some popcorn, pick up some beverages then invite your friends and/or family over for movie night. Of course have your donation forms ready to go!
Giftware Party – Host a giftware party. There are many companies out there that have representatives that will present their product at your party. You can ask the company to donate the dollar amount equivalent to your “hostess gift” they normally give in product for percentage of sales.
Make your own contribution – Lead the way by making your donation First.
Make a pink ribbon shirt or hat – Get a simple white shirt, get some pink ribbons and safety pins. Pin the pink ribbons all over your shirt and let people know they can choose which pink ribbon they want off your shirt for donations. You can ask your local grocery store or LCBO store if you can greet customers as they come/go and ask for donations.
Happy Hour Party – Invite your friends and their friends, get them to sign encouraging words on a t-shirt. Charge them $10 per signature.
50/50 draw – some companies hold a monthly 50/50 draw. Ask them if one month the can donate the winnings to your donations.
Have an Auction – At home, work, local grocery store, etc. Have some items donated for a silent auction (or live auction) with all proceeds going to your cause.
Maintenance-a-thon – Get your kids involved in these activities. Ask around your neighborhood; see if they need some chores done for a $25.00 donation – mowing their lawn, raking leaves, shoveling snow. Let them know what you are raising money for!
Fundraising dinner at your local favorite restaurant – Ask a local favorite restaurant to host a Fundraising Dinner for you. They supply the food and your supply the donation forms! Invite everyone you know!
Local Stores – Talk to local store manager, ask what the hot selling item is these days, then ask them if they would be willing to donate a percent of the sales from that particular item to you for a day, week or weekend.
Local theater to donate tickets to a performance – Ask a local theater if they can donate a few tickets to one of their plays or musicals and auction them off. Have fun while your friends outbid each other!
Newsletter – Does your company or local group distribute a newsletter or interoffice mail or bulk e-mail? Ask them to include a story on your fundraising and event - It’s a perfect way to get the word out.
Golf Tournament – does your company host an annual golf tournament, Christmas party or annual conference? Depending on the event, as them if you can have a charity hole (a prize for the closest to the pin) and participants have to pay a couple of bucks to be able to win. You can use this same idea for other company functions.
FRIENDS – Ask 5 or 10 of your friends to take donation forms each and ask them to help raise money for you
Pizza Party – Check out your local pizza parlour. See if they’ll donate a pizza to help you fundraise.
Include your Neighbours – Write a letter to all the neighbors on your block (or in your building). Tell them about the event and ask them to help you by making a donation.
Bulletin – Enter an advertisement in the bulletin of your place of worship, Let your congregation know what you’re up to!
Pet-Sit – Do your neighbours ever go away not wanting to leave their much-loved pooch at the boarding facility? Offer up your services and charge them what they would have had to pay at the facility! Tell them where their money is going.
Artistic Friends – do you have a friend that is a good painter, crafter or can make something unique? Have them make a unique print, etc and auction it off.
Gym/Work out facility – Ask you gym to place a Donation Jar at their front desk. You can also ask them to match your donations from the gym!
Personal Assistant – It is a popular thing these days – not just for movie stars! Offer to be your friends and/or coworkers personal assistant for a day (or maybe for just a few hours) in exchange for a larger donation.
Baby-Sit – Offer up your services and let your friends have a nice, quiet night out of the house in exchange for a donation.
Karaoke Night – Ahh, so you can’t sing worth bean’s? That makes it all the more fun! Spend a Friday night at a Karaoke Bar and sing to your heart’s delight. Have the announcer tell the crowd that you’re singing for donations!
Tipping Jar – Ask local businesses to put jars near the register or on their front counter. Tape a picture of yourself and a short explanation of why you’re raising money.
Car Wash for Breast Cancer – Have a car wash. Ask a local gas station to donate the cleaning products, put up balloons and signs, and wash away!
House-Sit – Are your friends/neighbours going out of town for a while? Maybe they need someone to stay at their house while they are away. Ask them for a donation for your services.
Vacation Days – Ask your boss or human resources director if they can swap one of your vacation days for a day’s pay. Tell them what it is for.
Shortest Tie Contest – Executives participate in an all-day contest to end the day with the shortest tie. Employees pay to cut an inch off their favorite executive’s tie. You can vary the game by paying for the ugliest or most ties, etc. All proceeds will be donated to your event. You can shop resale stores for ties!
Flea Market/Farmer’s Market – Check if a local farmer’s market or flea market will donate a table to you for the day. Decorate the space with posters letting people know you're raising money for The Kelly Shires Breast Cancer Snow Run. Let them know what you are doing!
Beauty Salon – Have your hairdresser put a donation jar at their station with a small flyer. Hairdressers are great at talking things up and spreading the message.
Write to your local politicians/MP – You support them. Don’t you think they should support you in return?
Television Show Finale Party – Pick your favorite TV series grand finale, grab the DVD and have a grand finale party. It is a fun way to hang out with your friends and share a few laughs. Make sure you tell the attendee’s that there is an admission fee to this great evening!
Is there a teacher, policeman or firefighter in the house? – Get your students or colleagues to help you fundraise. Kids are incredibly creative, teams or squads can be competitive so get them to have fundraising competitions.
Poker Anyone – Poker is the hot game these days. Call your card-playing friends invite them over for poker night. Pick a percentage and let everyone know that % of winnings are payable to “The House,” which will become donations.
Computer Screen Savers – Create a fight against Breast Cancer screen saver and send it to everyone in your company! They can help advertise your goals!
Chores – Are you a handy person? Most of your neighbors would probably rather pay you than someone else. Place signs around your neighborhood advertising your services (i.e. watering gardens, cleaning roof gutters, sweeping the driveway, fixing an easy plumbing problem, painting a room, etc.). Let them know that the money raised from these chores are donations for your fundraising.
Popular Local Band – Do you know someone in a band that plays regular gigs? Ask them to donate a night’s wages to your donations. Also check with the place they are playing at and ask if it is okay for the band to ask for donations from patrons and letting them know about your participation in the event!
Game night – Dust off those board games and start playing! Break into teams or groups and let the fun begin. Or you can have a game-a-thon.
Curse Jar –Everyone slips one out every once in awhile. Now they’ll have to pay for it. Place a Curse Jar in your office and whenever someone says a bad word they have to open up their wallet, grab a dollar, and put it in the jar.
Inspirational Book Marks – Create some funky bookmarks, laminate them and sell them to your friends, family and co-workers.
Parents – Do your kids play in soccer, hockey leagues or any other sports teams, bring them your donation forms at the next game or tournament.
Universities and Colleges – Contact your local schools and ask if you can put an advertisement in their school newsletter asking for donations. Some schools have sororities that already fundraise – they may be able to donate some of their fundraising to your cause. Be prepared – they may ask you to come and make a short presentation on the charity and your goals!
Bowling Nights – Organize a fun night of bowling at your local lanes. Ask the owner to waive the cost of bowling and you can collect that money and turn it into donations.
Ask for Empties – ask your friends for their empty beer bottles, tell them you will return them in exchange for the money to be donated.
Used Book Sale – Everyone has books that have been sitting onshelves, in the attic in boxes, or in the basement collecting dust. Ask your friends, family and neighbors to donate whatever they’ve got and set up a little weekend book sale in your front yard. Put up some signs so people will know where the money is going. Once they know that they may even give you more money!
SET A FUNDRAISING GOAL – The earlier you begin fundraising efforts the easier it is! When you reach your goal, you can double your efforts and raise even more!
PO Box 93366, RPO Yonge-Mulock,
Newmarket, Ontario
L3X 1A3
French Correspondence:
PO Box 155, Station Main
Collingwood, Ontario
L9Y 3Z5
Co-founder: Kelly Shires
Co-founder & Media Contact: Suzy Stenoff
Charity Reg. # 895376614 RR0001
Copyright © 2024 Kelly Shires Foundation
