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Fundraising Ideas
For many the cost of medical bills and or surgery is unattainable without fundraising, but where to start?
The first thing to consider is opening up a separate bank account so that it is easier to track funds.
Setting up a fundraiser page such as gofundme or a facebook donation page is a great way to start. When determining your target amount remember the site will charge you an additional percentage to use their platform. Remember to factor this into your total amount needing to be raised. The fees vary depending on which platform you decide to use. The site will stipulate the fees in their terms and conditions of use.
Make your page visually appealing. Be clear what the money is going to be used for and if you don't reach target what will happen with the funds you have raised. Most people offer to pass on the funds to another person needing help with the same condition.
Once your page is ready, start sharing with friends and family across your social media accounts. An effective strategy is to post the link to your fundraiser in a messenger message or email asking friends directly for their help, not all of your friends will respond. Please remember not everyone will be in a position to offer help, it doesn't mean they care any less!
Post updates frequently to keep momentum going. Remember to thank people for their support.
If you are raising funds for surgery chances are a fundraising page alone is not going to be enough to get you to your target amount!
Contact your local newspaper and radio station. Getting your story published can really help raise the profile of your cause.
Get local businesses involved ask if you can leave collection boxes at the checkout with a poster telling people about your story. It's a good idea to get someone else to write this for you on your behalf, as it can have more impact if someone else is asking for a donation for you.
Organise a fundraising night with a raffle and entertainment. Approach local businesses for gifts to raffle in exchange for them being mentioned on the night. Most businesses will see this as an opportunity to advertise their goods and services whilst being seen to have a social impact. Advertise your event on Eventbrite or create a Facebook page and ask businesses to sponsor the night in exchange for their logo being placed on your Eventbrite site or Facebook page. As part of the sponsorship deal offer to post thanks to your sponsors across your social media accounts. Your event could have Gold, Silver and Bronze Sponsors. It can also be a good idea to tailor the sponsorship to be relevant to the company you are approaching, for example if you will be using any AV equipment on the night you could ask an electrical company or supplier to be your named AV sponsor. Get creative with your ideas and try to think of adding value to your sponsorship package at no extra cost to you. Most business want to get to your network of friends and family as personal endorsements are a huge marketing lure.
Here is an example of how to layout your sponsorship packages
Gold Sponsor $5,500 Logo on event Facebook pagePinned Facebook post naming Gold Sponsor4 posts in the lead up to the event thanking them as the Gold SponsorPosts to include sponsors logo and link to sponsors websiteLogo on tickets and event programA special mention and thanks on the night of the eventCompany representative will be given the opportunity to address the audience for 5 minutesSponsors pull up banner on stage or next to the raffle on the evening of the event
Silver Sponsor $3,500Logo on event Facebook page3 posts in the lead up to the event thanking them as Silver SponsorPosts to include sponsors logo and link to sponsors websiteLogo on tickets and event programA special mention and thanks on the night of the event
Bronze Sponsor $2,500Logo on event Facebook page2 posts in the lead up to the event thanking them as Bronze SponsorPosts to include sponsors logo and link to sponsors websiteLogo on tickets and event programA special mention and thanks on the night of the event
Welcome Sponsor $3,5002 posts in the lead up to the event thanking them as the Welcome SponsorPosts to include sponsors logo and link to sponsors websiteLogo on tickets and event programLogo or banner at the entrance on arrival (check with the venue on their requirements and stipulations)Company representative to introduce the evenings proceedings
Invite a member of the local press to attend, this will be a great draw card for sponsors and will also raise the profile of your cause.
Ask a loved one to write a letter to your local Lions Club explaining your situation and that you are needing to raise funds, include any letters from your doctors to verify your condition. Also remember to include some photographs and an image of your scan. It can have more impact if a loved one writes the letter on your behalf. If you have several local clubs near you send the letter to all of them.
Hold cake sales and raffles.
Ask your work place for gold coin donations (Check with your employer first). Every little helps and you will be surprised how quickly it all mounts up!
Jo Warren & Sarah Holden | August 2018
Setting up a fundraiser page such as gofundme or a facebook donation page is a great way to start. When determining your target amount remember the site will charge you an additional percentage to use their platform. Remember to factor this into your total amount needing to be raised. The fees vary depending on which platform you decide to use. The site will stipulate the fees in their terms and conditions of use.
Make your page visually appealing. Be clear what the money is going to be used for and if you don't reach target what will happen with the funds you have raised. Most people offer to pass on the funds to another person needing help with the same condition.
Once your page is ready, start sharing with friends and family across your social media accounts. An effective strategy is to post the link to your fundraiser in a messenger message or email asking friends directly for their help, not all of your friends will respond. Please remember not everyone will be in a position to offer help, it doesn't mean they care any less!
Post updates frequently to keep momentum going. Remember to thank people for their support.
If you are raising funds for surgery chances are a fundraising page alone is not going to be enough to get you to your target amount!
Contact your local newspaper and radio station. Getting your story published can really help raise the profile of your cause.
Get local businesses involved ask if you can leave collection boxes at the checkout with a poster telling people about your story. It's a good idea to get someone else to write this for you on your behalf, as it can have more impact if someone else is asking for a donation for you.
Organise a fundraising night with a raffle and entertainment. Approach local businesses for gifts to raffle in exchange for them being mentioned on the night. Most businesses will see this as an opportunity to advertise their goods and services whilst being seen to have a social impact. Advertise your event on Eventbrite or create a Facebook page and ask businesses to sponsor the night in exchange for their logo being placed on your Eventbrite site or Facebook page. As part of the sponsorship deal offer to post thanks to your sponsors across your social media accounts. Your event could have Gold, Silver and Bronze Sponsors. It can also be a good idea to tailor the sponsorship to be relevant to the company you are approaching, for example if you will be using any AV equipment on the night you could ask an electrical company or supplier to be your named AV sponsor. Get creative with your ideas and try to think of adding value to your sponsorship package at no extra cost to you. Most business want to get to your network of friends and family as personal endorsements are a huge marketing lure.
Here is an example of how to layout your sponsorship packages
Gold Sponsor $5,500 Logo on event Facebook pagePinned Facebook post naming Gold Sponsor4 posts in the lead up to the event thanking them as the Gold SponsorPosts to include sponsors logo and link to sponsors websiteLogo on tickets and event programA special mention and thanks on the night of the eventCompany representative will be given the opportunity to address the audience for 5 minutesSponsors pull up banner on stage or next to the raffle on the evening of the event
Silver Sponsor $3,500Logo on event Facebook page3 posts in the lead up to the event thanking them as Silver SponsorPosts to include sponsors logo and link to sponsors websiteLogo on tickets and event programA special mention and thanks on the night of the event
Bronze Sponsor $2,500Logo on event Facebook page2 posts in the lead up to the event thanking them as Bronze SponsorPosts to include sponsors logo and link to sponsors websiteLogo on tickets and event programA special mention and thanks on the night of the event
Welcome Sponsor $3,5002 posts in the lead up to the event thanking them as the Welcome SponsorPosts to include sponsors logo and link to sponsors websiteLogo on tickets and event programLogo or banner at the entrance on arrival (check with the venue on their requirements and stipulations)Company representative to introduce the evenings proceedings
Invite a member of the local press to attend, this will be a great draw card for sponsors and will also raise the profile of your cause.
Ask a loved one to write a letter to your local Lions Club explaining your situation and that you are needing to raise funds, include any letters from your doctors to verify your condition. Also remember to include some photographs and an image of your scan. It can have more impact if a loved one writes the letter on your behalf. If you have several local clubs near you send the letter to all of them.
Hold cake sales and raffles.
Ask your work place for gold coin donations (Check with your employer first). Every little helps and you will be surprised how quickly it all mounts up!
Jo Warren & Sarah Holden | August 2018