Click on the section name in purple below to be directed to that page.

Pages 2 – 5 … Personalize Your Online Fundraising Page

Page 6 … Face to Face Fundraising Tips

Page 7 … Sample Ask Letter

Page 8 … Social Media Fundraising Tips

Step 1: Personalize Your Webpage 1. You’re registered! Now it’s time to log in.

2. Once you are logged in, you will be taken to the homepage screen where you can edit your webpage, send emails, record pledges and track your progress.

Homepage Screen

Click the tabs for different

functions of the site.

3. We’ve already started you off with some basic verbiage. Use this platform to personalize your web page by adding a photo and telling your story!

Include your

personal story

here. Tell

potential

donors why

you are

passionate

about helping

those living

with MS.

Upload a fun

picture from a

past event!

Step 2: Start Fundraising

o Upload contacts into your account and start sending emails to your friends, family and colleagues.

o There are two email templates already created or you can start from scratch. Either way, a link to your personalized fundraising page will be included. Ask your closest friends and family to donate first. An empty page can be a bit intimidating, so

having a couple of donations on the page should encourage other donors. Email your other contacts in groups — colleagues, running club, friends overseas, etc -

personalizing your message each time. Get creative! Come up with a fun subject line to entice people to open your email. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are the best days to send emails between 10 am – 2 pm.

o When a donor uses your personalized page to donate, your thermometer will be automatically updated

and you’ll be that much closer to your goals.

o Offline Pledges: You can also track offline pledges on your page. When Can Do MS receives your checks or cash, we will confirm the donation.

o Link your personalized page to your social media accounts. – see our Social Media Fundraising Tips

Upload and

manage email

addresses. We’ve started

you off with

some

templates, but

donors want

to hear your

personal

story!

Step 3: Track Your Progress!

o Watch your thermometer rise as you reach your goal.

o Visit the My Progress Section of your website to see who has donated and view your pledges.

o Don’t forget to send follow up emails.

o Online donors will automatically receive a thank you from Can Do MS, but they’ll always appreciate hearing it from you too!

For more information or help customizing your page, uploading your contacts or recording pledges, please review Gift Tool’s Guide to Managing your Webpage or contact Maren at 970-926-1292.

Example: Your very own fundraising page!

Prepare

o Set goals and set aside time to achieve them. o Gather information on who you will be contacting including email, phone number and address. If it’s not

someone you already know well, do a little research to get a sense of the potential donor’s giving ability and tendencies.

o Make a contribution yourself so you know what it feels like (hint: it feels good!), so you understand the psychology of giving, and so you have more credibility in asking.

Meet in Person, If Possible

o Set meetings to be respectful of the potential donor’s time. o Bring materials, such as brochures and other promotional materials. We can provide these for you! o Say your name, and what you’re raising money for: "Hello, my name is Jane Jones, and I’m

participating in Vertical Express for Can Do MS to raise money for people and families living with multiple sclerosis."

Describe Can Do MS's Programs and its Effectiveness

o “A national nonprofit organization, Can Do Multiple Sclerosis is an innovative provider of lifestyle empowerment programs for people with MS and their support partners. The organization empowers people to move beyond their condition by giving them the knowledge, skills, tools and confidence to adopt healthy lifestyle behaviors, actively co-manage their MS and live their best lives.”

o In 2011, Can Do MS provided programs and services to over 14,000 people living with MS and at little or no cost to the program participant.

o Can Do MS has received five consecutive four star ratings from independent non-profit evaluator, Charity Navigator for demonstrating fiscal responsibility.

o Over 80% of funds raised go directly to our lifestyle empowerment programs.

Asking for Money - The Pitch o Always ask for a specific amount of money. o Let them know their donation is tax deductible. o Smile - stop talking. Wait for a response. Listen. o Answer questions briefly. o Explain why we need the money now. “Money raised at this year’s Vertical Express events will help

launch a new multi-day program for people and families with MS.” Say Thank You or Ask for Follow Up

o Thank the donor for their gift and their time. If they do not make a gift, thank them for their time. o If you receive a donation, verbally thank them on the spot. Follow up with a handwritten note of thanks. o If they say no, thank them for their time and consideration. Ask why, if it’s not too awkward. Maybe

they’d like to be involved in some other way – donate time, or materials – or perhaps the timing is wrong this year, but they’d be interested in the future if you approach them at a different time of year, etc.

o If a donor is undecided, ask if you may follow up with them. Do so within an appropriate time period. On the following page, you will find an editable sample fundraising letter to help you with your ask.

{Insert Date} Dear {First Name}, As you may know, I’m participating in the 2013 Vertical Express for Can Do MS on [insert date] at [insert location]. I’m contacting you on behalf of Can Do Multiple Sclerosis to request your support in the form of a tax-deductible donation. I hope you will find Can Do MS – and its lifestyle empowerment programs for people with MS and their support partners – to be worthy of your support. {Insert your personal connection here. Remember: donors want to hear why you are passionate about the cause.} According to the National MS Society, an estimated 400,000 Americans have MS, and every week about 200 people are diagnosed. Worldwide, MS affects about 2.5 million people. There is currently no known cause or cure for MS. Can Do MS relies on your Vertical Express dollars to bring their lifestyle empowerment programs to people living with MS and their support partners. Leveraging the powerful legacy and principles of former Olympian and organizational founder Jimmie Heuga, Can Do MS has helped thousands of people living with MS reclaim a sense of dignity, control and freedom by empowering them with the knowledge, skills, tools and confidence to transform challenges into possibilities. Please help me reach my goal of {insert goal amount here} by making a tax-deductible donation to Can Do MS. Any amount you can provide is greatly appreciated. If you’re able to donate, please also ask your employer about their matching gift programs. Many companies have matching programs in which you may not be aware. For more information, visit www.mscando.org/verticalexpress or call Can Do MS at 888-DO-IT-4MS or 888-364-8467. Or contact me at {insert contact information here}. Thank you for your time, consideration and generosity. Sincerely, [Sign your name here] [Insert your name here] [Insert your e-mail address and/or phone number address here] P.S. Please make checks payable to: Can Do MS. Donations to Can Do MS are tax-deductible under IRS Code Sec. 501(c)(3) No. 74-2337853.

3 Always provide a link to your Gift Tool donation

page when making an “ask”

3 Download our Vertical Express Facebook cover

images from our media page

3 Tag us in all your posts/tweets, then we’ll share

it with all our followers

3 Try and schedule your posts when you think yo

ur friends will be online

3 Post regularly and consistently about your fundr

aising status and goal progress

3 Follow us so you can share info about what we

’re doing and gain more tips on fundraising, we’r

e a team!

MORE SOCIAL MEDIA TIPS!

Your friends can help you raise money without even donating! Encourage them to share your posts and emails with their friends to help you reach new people! Have fun with it, eveeveryone enjoys a good laugh.

Include pics in your post & always tag us by typing an @ symbol before our name. People tend to like/comment/share pictures more which

expands your post’s reach!

Find a donor or company willing to match

donations you receive over a certain time period. People love when their donation magically doubles!

Change your cover image, we have a few you can pick from on our media page!

Social Media Fundraising Tips