Fundraising Ideas and Tips

By registering for the Walk & Ride you have taken the first step toward helping our clients and their families! Your support will help us continue with our mission of providing a community of support, therapeutic services, and education to facilitate improving the quality of life for our clients.

Here are some tips to raise funds:

1. Start Now.

The sooner you start asking, the more money you will raise. Take advantage of the tool we have provided such as the ideas listed below, our Facebook and Instagram links, and email everyone you know asking for support!

2. Develop a list of prospective donors.

Start with your email address book and think about clubs and organizations you belong to. Contact everyone you know. You’ll be surprised who gives!

3. Customize your personal fundraising webpage.

The most compelling fundraising pages tell a story about why you are participating. Include photos, videos, and anything you can think of to show your passion and enthusiasm for the Healing Garden. Update your GiveSmart personal page and your social media, with information about training, progress, or challenges so that your friends and family can stay engaged throughout your fundraising effort.

4.  Social Media, Social Media, Social Media

Use status updates on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or LinkedIn to update friends on your fundraising progress and provide a direct link to your fundraising webpage. Use these tools to encourage your friends and family to make a donation. Social media is a great way to stay in front of people without making a ‘hard ask’.
Be sure to take a photo/video of you and your family (include the four-legged ones) wear your bib and share it with everyone on the  Healing Garden Facebook Page or Instagram Page.
*Whatever social channels you post on that day, make sure to tag
@thevirginiathurstonhealinggarden, #healinggardencancersupportctr, and #2021PWR-HG .
Or send your pictures/videos to maddie@healinggardensupport.org

5. Don’t be shy about asking.

In addition to sending out emails, don’t forget to follow up. Add the URL for your fundraising webpage to your email signature. Ask, ask, and ask again at every possible opportunity. Don’t be shy about asking more than once. Your enthusiasm will be contagious!

6. Stay connected and stay motivated.

Track individual progress as well as the progress of your team members. Communicate with other team members and keep each other motivated.

7. Inquire about matching gifts.

Ask your employer if your company offers matching gifts. And remind your friends and family to ask if their employers/companies offer matching gifts. Check to see if your company matches gifts. Don’t see your company? In some cases, your company may match gifts, but isn’t listed. Contact your human resources department to double-check. This can increase your fundraising efforts enormously!

8. Get creative and make it fun!

• Video Testimonial: Create a short video testimonial and post it on social media. Let everyone know why you’re fundraising.
• Training Miles: Use your training miles to raise funds. Set a mileage or fundraising goal you’d like to achieve by a specific date. Then, share the goal with your friends. Encourage them to donate to your fundraiser (e.g. $1 = 1 mile) to help you get your training miles in.

If you have any questions, need help registering or setting up your fundraising page, or with your fundraising, please contact Maddie Phadke, Director of Development at maddie@healinggardensupport.org  or call 978-456-3532 x 105