The Start Line of Your Fundraising Journey
01
The First Ask
1) Write down the who, what, where, when, and most importantly, why. People will love to hear about your event and what you’re doing, but make sure to tell them why you’ve selected your charity. Why are they important to you?
2) Make your ask specific when you can. Asking someone for a donation puts the pressure on them to determine what’s a meaningful contribution. Make it easier by including a number. For example: Try asking for a donation of $13 if you’re running a half marathon.
3) Start with people who will say yes. Your partner, a parent, a sibling, a best friend, practice making your ask with someone you know will say, “yes.”
4) Keep at it. In the world of giving it often takes folks hearing something 4-5 times before giving. It doesn’t have to be an ask each time. Keep your audience updated on your training and preparation for your run to keep your fundraiser in front of them.
02
Inspiration
Do you have a skill or profession you can share with others? How to make candles, play an instrument, build your own anything… Here are a few examples to get you started.
Create a gathering - it might be a bbq, a garage sale, a party, a read-in, a picnic, a group hike. Below are a few popular ideas we’ve seen folks have lots of success with.
Make something - anything! Turn a hobby or pastime into a way to exchange a home made good for a donation.
Let the creative juices flow! What can you do to engage potential supporters and lean on the community around you to help you reach your fundraising goals?
The lists above are just a starting point. The opportunities are endless. If you’re considering giveaways. Keep in mind that every state has some sort of guideline or approval needed for things like raffles. Consult with your state’s governing office or a lawyer in your state if you have questions. Have a great idea we should list above? Let us know - info@wanderproject.org
04
Engage Your Audience
A matching gift is when an employer offers the benefit of matching a charitable contribution made by an employee. Sometimes at a ratio of 1:1, 2:1, even 5:1!
While you, the fundraiser, might not have an employer who offers this - maybe your friends or family do. Meaning if they donate to your fundraiser their employer will double it or more! Make sure to occasionally include language about matching gifts in your asks!
If you’re a charity bib make sure that your gift will make it to your actual fundraiser! Gifts made directly to your charity are fantastic, but will not count towards your required minimum. Matching gifts MUST BE sent to Wander Project to be added to your official fundraiser.
Matching donations go from the employee to the employer, then to a third-party platform (usually) then to Wander Project, then to your fundraiser. That lengthy path can take upwards of 60 days, so start the paperwork with your employer now!
Do you know someone who works at one of these companies? There are countless businesses who offer a matching gift but these are some of the most well-known.
03
Using Social Media
A Few Tips
Examples
You can use social media to fundraise. Lots of folks do, but you don’t have to. One of our highest fundraisers ever didn’t use social media at all. You can be successful either way. If you are planning to incorporate it into your plan, consider these tips to set yourself up for success.
Tag, collaborate, mention - include the race/event company, include the charity you’re supporting. Chances are, they’ll share it with their followers - helping you get more eyes on your cause.
Repetition - don’t just mention your fundraiser once and call it quits. Take people on your journey. Tell them how your run went today. Share a post from the charity you’re supporting. Tell them why you’re excited about your race. Keep posting what you’re doing and remind them that you’re fundraising.
Be specific - Consider these two asks, “Please make a donation to my fundraiser!” and “I need 5 friends to donate $25 today to celebrate that I just hit 25k on my longest training run!” - Ask for specific amounts when you can, it guides your supporters on how to actually help.
Accurate set-up - At Wander Project we use RunSignUp’s robust fundraising platform. Through a specific set-up folks can connect a Facebook fundraiser to their RunSignUp page. If they don't follow the process though, the funds don’t make it to their fundraiser and then don’t count towards their required minimum! However you’re fundraising, with Wander Project or not, make sure you’re using social media in a way that supports your event and requirements!