• Fundraising Tips for Individual
• Tips for Teams
• How To Raise $1500 in just 6 weeks
• Sample Emails

Fundraising Tips for Individuals <Top>

First step: Sign Up online to Register to Paddle at http://www.peoplepaddle.com/register.htm

Email your Friends and Family
Send emails to everyone you know. Soon, credit card donations will start rolling in.

Make a List and Check It Twice
Make a list of potential donors. Include everyone you know. Start by sponsoring yourself on your walk paper and by making a donation to yourself online. Your gift will set the tone for others to give. (You can print a walk paper from this Web site).

One a Day
Ask one person each day to make a contribution. If you get four $25 gifts, you will have raised $100 in less than a week. Don’t be afraid to ask for larger gifts. Your cause is an issue that affects everyone, and most people are happy to donate.

Double Your Money
Many employers offer matching funds programs. Your $50 donation could turn into $100. Inquire with your personnel/HR department and remind your supporters about matching gifts.

The Mighty e-Pen
Send an email to friends, family, and co-workers asking for their support. Let them know if you are paddling in honor of someone. Explain why the cause is important to you; heartfelt messages get the best response. Don’t forget to send a thank you note to people who donate.

Talk It Up
Ask for a few minutes on the agenda of any meetings you will be attending. Explain why you are walking and ask for everyone’s support. If you are dedicating your efforts to someone you know.  Tell their story.

Offer Food
Offer healthy treats to your friends, family and co-workers for a small gift to your cause through People Paddle. The best way to most people's wallet is through their stomach.

Clean House
Clean out your garage or home and set up a People Paddle donation booth in exchange for your finds. Ask your friends and neighbors to donate their stuff to you, explaining that all proceeds go to your cause.

Celebrate
If a birthday or holiday is coming up, tell your family and friends that in lieu of a gift, you would like them to make a donation to your cause through People Paddle.

Pin It Up
Post your walk paper on the bulletin board at church or temple, in the office, at the gym, or at school. Make sure to highlight your name, phone number, email address, and team Web page address.

Send the Message
Change the recording on your voicemail or answering machine to mention People Paddle and how callers can make a donation. Then, when you call people back, ask them to sponsor you. When emailing friends, add a “PS” asking for their support.

Fundraising Tips for Teams  <Top>

Go Casual
Dress down for a cause. Arrange for your office or school to allow people to dress casual in support of People Paddle by giving a dollar or two or even five.

Reduce Stress
Find a masseuse through a health club, training school, or chiropractor’s office. Have them come to your business and provide five or 10-minute neck and shoulder massages for a gift of $10. Have employees sign up beforehand, and the masseuse will come right into their office.

Give Ribbons
Give out ribbons for a gift of $1 or more. Employees can take home a ribbon in honor of a friend or loved one. Create your own wall to list the names of these people.

Give Rewards
Ask your boss to offer an extra vacation day to the team member who raises the most money. If your team is the highest fundraising team within the company, see if everyone on the team can have a day off.

Give Prizes
Get some great prizes donated to your team. Try gift certificates at a restaurant or spa. Then auction them off to the highest bidders.

Honor Loved Ones
Create quilt squares in honor of, or in memory of people. Accept varying donations for different sizes: a 4” square for $5, an 8” square for $15, and a 12” square for $25. Display the quilt in the lobby at work, school, health club, or place of worship. If you can’t use fabric, try something else like card stock.

How to raise $1,500 in just six weeks: <Top>

Week 1:

• Take the first step: Sponsor yourself for $25.
• Send out at least 25 emails to friends and family (ask for a minimum donation of $20) = $500.
• (Note: the AVERAGE pledge in most similar events is $40.  $20 is do-able by just about everybody.)
  

Week 2:

• Follow up on your fundraising letters and emails.
• Ask four additional family members (minimum donation of $25 each) = $100.
• Ask five friends to sponsor you (minimum donation of $25 each) = $125.
• Ask three co-workers to sponsor you (minimum of $25 each) = $75.
• Check with your company's human resource department to see if they offer matching gifts.

Week 3:

• Ask three additional co-workers to sponsor you (minimum donation of $25 each) = $75.
• Plan a fundraising party with at least 25 people (e.g. 50% of split cover charge of $20 for a happy hour) = $250.

Week 4:

• Ask eight neighbors to sponsor you (minimum donation of $10 each) = $80

Week 5:

• Ask your boss for a company contribution = $100

Week 6:

• Ask three businesses you frequent for a donation (e.g. doctor, dentist, dry cleaners, etc., $50 each) = $150

VOILA!  $1500 YOU CAN DO IT! 

Hi Friends and Family,

I hope this finds you all well and having a great 2008!

I have spent the past several years working with a great non-profit organization called <your nonprofit goes here>, which provides wilderness experiences for young people to help them rediscover their inner strength and spirit by reconnecting them with the outdoors - so they can leave the city and their stresses behind for a time - which can help give them some healing.

Part of the work I'm doing with <your nonprofit goes here> is to participate in a new kayaking benefit called "People Paddle" on June 15, 2008.  The event is raising money for several causes, but I have stipulated that all proceeds from pledges I raise go directly to <your nonprofit goes here>.  The course will be in Foster City's Leo J Ryan Park, up the waterfront, and back to my starting point to raise money for the cause.  I have kayaked before but never in Foster City, so I am a little nervous.  But I'm excited about this new kayaking opportunity and a chance to really help give back!

I am sending this to you to see if you can support me by entering a pledge - any amount is incredibly helpful and greatly appreciated.  If you can't - that's okay, I understand - your moral support is welcome also!

People Paddle is a collaborative effort to enhance awareness and education about several causes, diseases and challenges that each of us face.

<your nonprofit goes here> is fighting an important battle for an important cause. I want to raise as much as I can to help the environment through "People Paddle".  If you can, please go to the following link, select me as your paddler to sponsor, and make a pledge.

Even a few bucks would help, whatever you can spare . . .

http://www.seawallwalk.org/pledge.htm

Also, would you mind spreading the word to your friends & family & coworkers etc. by forwarding this e-mail!  If even 500 people pledged $20, that would be an amazing gesture of support for individuals in need. 

Also, if you are in Foster City, come on out and cheer me on, on June 15. Here are the directions:

http://www.seawallwalk.org/courses.htm

Thank you, in advance, for your generous support. Together we will make a difference.

Warmly, Lisa

 http://www.bluemountain.com/view.pd?i=165226102&m=5118&source=bma992

Another letter from another participant:

Hi Friends,

My goal is to set a fund-raising record of $1000 before I hit the water on June 15, since this is a first time event we have the opportunity to set the bar high.  Proceeds of all pledges made in my name will go directly to <your nonprofit goes here>.

People Paddle is a collaborative effort to enhance awareness and education about several causes, diseases and challenges each of us face.

<add blurb about your favorite NPO>

<your nonprofit goes here>. is fighting an important battle for an important cause. I want to raise as much as I can for the cause through "People Paddle". Please go to the following link asap, select me as your paddler to sponsor, and make a pledge. Even a few bucks would help, whatever you can spare.

http://www.seawallwalk.org/pledge.htm

http://www.seawallwalk.org/courses.htm

Thank you, in advance, for your generous support. Together we will serve the cause.

Sincerely,

Paula Paddler