THE GOOD LIFE HALFSY

P R E S E N T E D B Y BU L U B OXTM

Run for CharityFUNDRAISING

TOOLKIT

Welcome!

Thank you for taking part in the Good Life Halfsy Run for Charity Program! Your commitment to raising $500 for Habitat is a generous gift of both time and money and is much appreciated. Together, we hope to raise over $10,000 for Habitat and an additional $10,000 for People’s City Mission. This will do an incredible amount of good in our community and we hope that the miles will mean even more to you on November 1st, 2015 when you take on the Good Life Halfsy.

This toolkit is your easy step by step guide to reaching your fundraising goal. Good luck!

Letter from Habitat for Humanity’s Executive Director

Thank you so much for your commitment to Lincoln/Lancaster County Habitat for Humanity! Your efforts of advocating for the elimination of poverty housing mean so much! Through homeownership parents can provide stability for their families and children, feel a sense of dignity and pride, gain health, physical safety and security, and increase their education and job prospects. YOU are helping us bring safe homes and neighborhoods to our community! THANK YOU!

If you would like to learn more about Lincoln/Lancaster County Habitat for Humanity to help your fundraising efforts feel free to contact us at 402-477-9184.

Thank you for being part of our mission,

Michele WilliamsonExecutive DirectorLincoln/Lancaster County Habitat for Humanity

ALL ABOUTEach year, Lincoln/Lancaster County Habitat for Humanity builds six to eight quality homes at affordable prices. We have helped more than 600 men, women and children out of substandard, unsafe rental property in the past 25 years. Stories of families that the Lincoln Habitat affiliate serves are all similar and typical, given the families’ low-income status—30-50% median income range. One such story is of a family whose apartment was in such poor condition that continued water damage from an apartment above eventually caused the ceiling in their apartment to crumble and collapse, ruining clothing and furniture. Another family whose rental house with a leak in the roof that the landlord would not or could not fix, had prompted them to place a children’s blow-up swimming pool on the floor of their living room to catch the water when it rained.

Our ultimate goal is to break the cycle of poverty for the working poor families we partner with. Because of Habitat’s not-for-profit loans and because the houses are principally built with volunteer labor, mortgage payments are affordable for Habitat partners. Their monthly mortgage payments come back to L/LC Habitat for Humanity and go into a revolving fund to help finance the construction of more houses. Through this approach, Habitat gives partner families a hand up--restoring the hope and dignity that economic deficiency can strip away. Habitat also provides education programs for our families including; training in household budgeting, insurance and taxes, home maintenance, energy efficiency workshops, and the dangers of predatory lending.

• Habitat for Humanity has built 800,000 houses around the world, providing homes for more than 3 million people in 3,000 communities with safe, decent, affordable shelter.

• To qualify for a Habitat home in Lancaster County a family of four would need an annual income between $20,350 and $33,950.

• Habitat homes are simple and affordable with around 1,000 square feet and no garage unless required by neighborhood covenants.

• It takes approximately 2,000 volunteer hours to complete a Habitat house. Habitat families are required to complete 300-400 “sweat equity” hours before moving into their Habitat home.

• There are 132 completed Habitat houses in the Lincoln/Lancaster County area--housing a total of nearly 600 people - 194 adults and 403 children.

• It currently costs approximately $73,000 + lot cost to construct a Habitat house in Lincoln.

• The average monthly mortgage payment for new mortgages is $475 including taxes and insurance.

• Approximately 50 families apply for a L/LCHFH house each year.

JUST THE FACTS

1 CREATE YOUR OWN FUNDRAISING WEB PAGE POWERED BY GROUPREV

Be sure to take advantage of creating your Personal Fundraising Web Page. This is where your potential donors will learn more about your cause and why you are fundraising. Once your web page is setup, you will be able to invite friends and family to make online donations just by sending an email or making a post on social media. You will be able to keep track of your progress with the click of a button. It’s easy, we promise!

• Create a GroupRev Fundraising account: http://grouprev.com/signup/2015glhhabitat• Be sure to write down your username and password and keep somewhere safe.• Choose a simple custom URL that explains your Fundraising campaign. Write it down.• Set your goal to $500 or more

• Customize your Fundraising Web Page• Make any edits to personalize your page. Many items will appear by default, but many

page elements can be customized. Your page can be updated at anytime• Add personalized photos or upload generic Habitat photos which you can get here:

http://goo.gl/LWdqln• Personalize your story. Share your fundraising goal and why you are fundraising.• Personalize your thank you confirmation email to donors.

• Your Fundraising Web Page is done. You’re almost ready!

SIX EASY STEPS TO SUCCESS

ONLY THE COOLEST CATS WILL BE RUNNING FOR CHARITY. YOU’RE ONE OF MY KIND.

3 CREATE A GAME PLAN AND GET STARTED FUNDRAISING!

• Check out our 10 Days and 10 Ways to $500. It’s the kick in the pants you need!• Write your personalized fundraising letter/email. Use our sample letter to help get you started.• Go! Start Fundraising. Share your Personal Fundraising Web Page URL early, often and everywhere!• Be sure to follow up with those you have not heard from. Sometimes they just need a reminder.• As you receive donations, don’t forget to thank them. Their money is supporting a great

organization and helping you run the Good Life Halfsy!

2 DEVELOP YOUR CONTACT LIST

Before you share your fundraising page, its best to spend some time to gather a master list of potential donors.

The possibilities are endless and you will be surprised how many people will support your goal and cause if you are just willing to ask. Be sure to tell them your goal and make a suggested donation amount.

• Start by collecting names from your:• Email addresses• Business cards• Holiday cards list• Social network sites

• Think about the people you see every week:• Co-workers• Business contacts• Neighbors• Place of worship• School contacts• Members of clubs or organizations to

which you belong• Parents of your children’s friends or

teammates

• What about people from your past:• Former classmates• Former neighbors or co-workers• College or high school friends• Former teachers

• Consider asking at the businesses you frequent

• Grocery Store• Dry cleaning• Child’s pediatrician• Veterinarian• Lawyer, banker or accountant

• How about sending a postal letter to the special people in your life

• Grandparents• Siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins• Close family friendsCHOO CHOO

CHOOSE THEM.

6 THANK YOUR DONORS

Last, but not least, remember to thank your donors. Let them know about your results and experience at the Good Life Halfsy. Let them know how much you appreciate their donation and that their generosity helped make a difference for Habitat.

5 COLLECT, ENTER & SUBMIT ANY OFFLINE DONATIONS

• Keep a running tally of your offline cash or check donations using the Donation Information Form• Make sure all donations are written to Habitat as you receive them.• Enter any offline cash or check donations on your Personal Fundraising Web Page. Track your

progress towards your goal in real-time.• Bundle all received offline donations, confirming all checks are made out to Habitat. Make sure

you include your completed Donation Information Form. Convert any cash received and write a personal check. Finally mail the envelope to Good Life Halfsy – Run For Charity Program, 3121 S. 6th Street, Unit C, Lincoln, NE 68502. Your offline donations should be received by Good Life Halfsy no later than November 6th, 2015. Please mail us offline donations only once if possible.

• Remember, if you are short of the $500 minimum, we will charge your credit card provided for the remaining balance.

4 RUN THE GOOD LIFE HALFSY!

You earned it! On November 1st, you will join over 6,000 other running fanatics to take on the Good Life Halfsy, Nebraska’s half-marathon running celebration. We hope the miles will mean even more knowing that you supported an incredible local charity.

AHHHHHHYEAH! LET’S

DO THIS.

10DAYS

DAY 1

DAY 2

DAY 3

DAY 4

DAY 5

DAY 6

DAY 7

DAY 8

DAY 9

DAY 10

10WAYS

& TO $500Show your commitment! Start by making your own donation of $50 or more. You were already willing to pay $69 just to run the Good Life Halfsy right? Start off with a bang!

Ask two family members for $25 each. You know they’ll say yes!

Ask a business you frequent to donate $25. Think about your dry cleaner, hair stylist or accountant. What about the dealership where you bought your car or the realtor that sold you your house? They owe you!

Ask five co-workers to sponsor you for $20 each. Does your company have a matching gift program? Find out!

Your boss is sure to chip in $100. Are you the boss? You know what to do.

Ask five people you know from your sports league, your child’s school or activities or your place of worship. You’ll be surprised who is willing to support your goals.

Ask five friends to donate $20 each. Send emails and personal messages via Facebook. Be sure to include the url link to your online Personal Fundraising Web Page. That’s what friends are for!

Turn it around! Ask someone who asked you to support their cause to support you for $25. It’s your turn!

Get creative! Do one unique thing to fundraise for Habitat. Have a garage sale and donate the proceeds. Ask your boss to allow jeans at work for a $5 ‘tax’. Have a loose change day at work. Sell space on your race day shirt. There are limitless ideas. Get creative, choose your best idea and do it!

Use Facebook. Share your story and post your url link on your Facebook wall. Money will come out of the woodwork!

SAMPLE FUNDRAISING LETTERGreetings [insert name],

I’m writing to ask for your support for a very special goal—to advocate for the elimination of poverty housing.

In November, I will be running the Good Life Halfsy half marathon in Lincoln, Nebraska, along with over 6,000 runners. I’ve pledged to help raise $500 for the event’s charity partner, Habitat for Humanity. I would like to ask you to help support my fundraising efforts with a donation. Your tax-deductible gift will help make a difference.

Lincoln/Lancaster County Habitat for Humanity is a 501c3 charitable nonprofit organization dedicated to offering dignity and hope by forming partnerships with low-income families by providing affordable, safe homes. The agency works as a channel for all community members, including faith based partners, to come together and support community members in need. Projects are funded primarily by individuals, community groups, corporations, charities, foundations, schools and religious organizations.

It is faster and easier than ever to donate. Simply visit this link [insert Personal Fundraising Web Page URL] to donate online. If you prefer, you can mail your gift check to me at the address listed below. Please make the check out to Habitat for Humanity and include my name in the “Memo” section.

[insert your address]

Any amount, great or small, helps tremendously and is much appreciated. Thank you!

Sincerely, [insert your name]

Tax ID Number: 91-1914868

I’D WRITE YOUR LETTERS, BUT I CAN ONLY

TWEET!

THE GOOD LIFE HALFSY

P R E S E N T E D B Y BU L U B OXTM

Run for CharityOFFLINE DONATIONRECORD-KEEPING

Thank you for committing to raising a minimum of $500. Please direct any questions to jason@goodlifehalfsy.com

Runner Name:

Donor’s Name

ExampleArchie Mammoth

Your Personal Donation

$150.00 Cash Yes Yes645 N 14th StreetLincoln, Ne 68508

AddressDonationAmount

Cash/Check# Collected

Logged inWeb Page

Phone Number:

This is where you keep track of offline donations. Please complete one entry for each donation. Include donor name, complete mailing address, donation amount, indicated cash or check and check number, and indicate if you entered the donation into your Fundraising Web Page. Please return this form (use multiple forms if needed) along with all donations to the address listed below. Be sure to convert cash to a personal check before mailing. Please submit your collected donations only once and by the deadline of November 6th, 2015. Make all checks payable to Habitat for Humanity. Please return this form and all offline donations to: Good Life Halfsy – Run For Charity Program, 3121 S. 6th Street, Unit C, Lincoln, NE 68502.