fundraising 101 - empire state...
TRANSCRIPT
Personal Fundraising PageWhen you register for the Empire State Ride,
you’re automatically given a fundraising dashboard and personal fundraising profile.
Through your dashboard you can add a picture or video, upload your contacts, set your fundraising goal, use our templates to send emails and social media posts, or create your own emails and posts!
Get SocialMore and more donors are giving
through social media, and Facebook is still the king. Twitter and LinkedIn are great at getting donations after your initial request. Use your fundraising
dashboard to post links to your profile page, or create your own personalized
posts asking for donations.
THE BASICS
Tell Your Story With Compelling Content
Storytelling is a great way to engage your networks and encourage them to donate. Whether your ride is a personal challenge
or you’ve been affected by cancer in some way, share your reasons for riding
on your fundraising page and in your donation requests. Be sure to include
photos and video. Those you ask will be more inclined to give when they know
how much this ride means to you.
STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT PERSONALIZED
PAGES GENERATE
20 PERCENT MORE DONATIONS ON AVERAGE THAN THOSE
WITH GENERIC COPY*.
Email Still RulesEmail is still the most effective way
to fundraise. More donations are made via email than any other channel. So email everyone in your address book,
even those you don’t expect to give. You’ll be surprised who donates to your ride.
* As reported by DonorDrive Peer-to-Peer Fundraising
Facebook “f ” Logo CMYK / .eps Facebook “f ” Logo CMYK / .eps
FUNDRAISING 101
The Empire State Ride is more than just a cycling adventure across New York State. The money you raise will support groundbreaking cancer research that will one day find a cure. We’re committed to helping you reach your fundraising goals, and we’ve compiled our most effective tips and tools for you to use in your efforts.
Diversify Your PortfolioMore channels drive more donations.
Make sure you’re asking across many different platforms (email, Facebook, standard mail, face to
face, etc.) and multiple times through each one.
KEEP AT IT
Follow UpBe persistent and ask multiple times to engage
prospective donors. While you may feel like you’re pestering them, life is hectic, and most donors appreciate the reminder.
Remember, these are your friends, family and loved ones. They want to support you!
ALMOSTHALF
OF DONORS DON’T DONATE THE
FIRST TIME THEY ARE ASKED.
Don’t Just Ask, Show ...… And tell. Donors want to know how their
money is being used and about the progress being made as a result of their donation.
Familiarize yourself with the research being done so you can tell donors why their support is so important. Use the fundraising tools at empirestateride.com to
show people how their donation will be used in the fight against cancer.
Thank YouSay Thank You
Make sure you acknowledge the people who donate to your ride. Send them a personal note, or update your progress and say thank
you on social media while tagging them in your post.
Be PreparedPotential donors are everywhere.
ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS TELL YOUR STORY
AND ASK. Keep Empire State Ride business cards
with you to hand out to potential donors.
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… AND YOU’RE PROBABLY WELL ON YOUR WAY TO YOUR FUNDRAISING GOAL.
NOW, TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL WITH THESE FUNDRAISING TIPS:
PERSONALIZE YOUR ASK BY TELLING YOUR STORY
ASK MULTIPLE TIMES THROUGH MULTIPLE CHANNELS
SHOW DONORS HOW THEIR MONEY IS BEING USED
SAY THANK YOU
So send out same-day reminders via email and social media. Urgency drives action, so give your donors a deadline
and ask them to donate TODAY!
Donations in Lieu of GiftsDo you have a wedding, birthday
or anniversary coming up? What about the holidays?
Ask your friends & family to donate to your ride instead of buying you a gift.
WE’VE COVERED THE BASICS
85 PERCENT OF DONATIONS
COME ON THE SAME DAY DONORS FIRST VISIT
YOUR PAGE*
Same-Day ServiceDonate to Yourself
Each week, set aside a certain amount of money to go toward
your final goal. You’ll be surprised how much you will
accumulate if you’re consistent.
* As reported by DonorDrive Peer-to-Peer Fundraising
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Throw a Fundraising PartyEveryone loves parties. Throw one — like an International Night — with
themed food and drinks. Take a minute to talk about your ride, then pass a hat or leave a jar by the door to encourage
your guests to donate.
Solicit Local BusinessesIs there a restaurant or bar that you andyour friends frequent? Ask the owner or
manager if they’ll sponsor your ride,donate a portion of a day’s proceeds,
or place a donation jar in a high-traffic area.
Send UpdatesUpdate people on your progress.
Post a picture or video of yourself training for the ride and ask your friends to donate and spread the
word to their networks.
BONUS: YOUR EMPLOYER OR A LOCAL BUSINESS CAN SPONSOR YOUR ENTIRE RIDE
AND RECEIVE SPONSORSHIP BENEFITS. NOT SURE HOW TO ASK?
WE’LL HELP YOU MAKE THE PITCH!
Send a Personal LetterNever underestimate the power
of the postal service. People love getting mail! Write a personal letter
to potential donors explaining why you are riding and ask
them to support you. You can download a sample letter from empirestateride.com.
Don’t forget to include a personal note!
50/50 RaffleSports not your thing? Organize a 50/50 raffle
between your friends, family and neighbors. Split the amount you
raise between the winner of the raffle and your fundraising goal.
Use Your Email SignatureAt the bottom of your email signature
add a link to your fundraising page encouraging people to donate.
ORGANIZE
FOOTBALL SQUARES
OR
BASKETBALL BRACKETS
AT WORK AND PUT ALL THE PROCEEDS TOWARD YOUR RIDE.
Sports Pools
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FUNDRAISING TIPS
FUNDRAISING TIPS
Voicemail MessagePersonalize the voice message
on your home, work and cell phones asking people to
donate to your ride.
Ask at Tax TimeTAX SEASON IS A GREAT
TIME TO ASK FOR DONATIONS. JUST REMIND PEOPLE THAT
THEIR DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE!
Happy Hour PartyWho doesn’t love a good happy hour? Why not throw a happy hour for your
co-workers, friends and family where all the money raised goes toward your goal!
Be a TV & Radio StarCall your local radio & TV
stations and ask them to make an announcement about your
ride. Who knows? Maybe they’ll even put you on air and tell
your story!
ExtracurricularsDo you or your kids play a team sport
or participate in a group activity? Ask teammates and fellow parents
to support your ride!
Poster/Display at WorkPrint out a poster at
empirestateride.com or make your own sign and leave
it at your desk or at the front of your office along with a jar
asking co-workers to contribute.
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Organize a Garage SaleDo some spring cleaning and hold
a garage sale. Ask your neighbors if they’ll contribute items and put all the
proceeds towards your goal!
BONUS:IF YOU DON’T WANT TO HAVE A GARAGE SALE, YOU CAN STILL
GET RID OF OLD CLOTHES, TOYS, FURNITURE, AND GADGETS BY SELLING THEM ONLINE!
DONATE THE PROCEEDS TO YOUR RIDE.
Ride in Honor of a Loved OneGive your ride extra meaning by riding
for a loved one who is currently fighting cancer, beat it or lost their battle. Make sure to share their story in
your outreach efforts.
Enlist Your Loved OnesYou probably already asked your friends and family.
But did you ask them to ask THEIR friends and family to donate? Multiply your reach by asking them to spread word of your ride through their networks.
Donation JarsRemember that donation jar you put at the front of your office? Do the same
thing at your gym, coffee shop, local bar or any business that you frequent.
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FUNDRAISING TIPS
Church BulletinAsk your place of worship
to mention your ride in their bulletin.
Member OrganizationsARE YOU A MEMBER OR ALUM OF
A CLUB OR TRADE ORGANIZATION? ASK YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO SUPPORT YOU AND HELP SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT
YOUR FUNDRAISING EFFORTS.
Use Your TalentsAre you a good baker?
Maybe you’re a skilled painter? Perhaps you’re an amateur handyman. Hold a
bake sale or an art show or offer to do small repairs around a friend’s house to
get you closer to your goal!
Local Bike ShopChances are you’re familiar with your local bike shop. Ask them to support your ride,
donate a portion of sales proceeds or place a donation bucket near their register.
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FUNDRAISING TIPS
Dress DownOrganize a dress-down or themed dress
day at work and ask co-workers for a donation to your
ride in order to participate.
empirestateride.com
Looking for more fundraising ideas? Have a successful tip of your own that you’d like to share? We’re here to support our riders and help them reach their goals! Contact us any time at [email protected] or by calling 716-845-3179.
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