Personalize your individual and/or team fundraising webpage with photos, a video, and stories.
Send emails through your Fundraising Dashboard encouraging everyone you know to join your team or support you with a donation.
Give a gift yourself to show your commitment to the team and to the cause you are fundraising for.
Share your story: Think back to when you first signed up for Advocate’s charity running team. What was the fund you selected to raise money for, and what was it that compelled you to choose that program? It’s good to remember the reason you are raising funds and to share that reason with your friends and family when you ask them to donate on your behalf. Be sure to express the impact their gift will make.
Challenge your social media followers: Ask your Facebook and Twitter followers to make a donation on your behalf (Don’t forget to use a direct link to your webpage). To keep things interesting, offer to complete challenges for each milestone you reach (Ex: Promise to grow a mustache or debut a drastic hair change for the cause if you hit the $500 mark).
Host a cocktail hour or dinner party: Rather than spend a night out, host a cocktail hour or dinner party at your home. This is your chance to entertain your family and friends while raising important funds.
Plan a party: Contact a local business (restaurant, bar, bowling alley, nail salon, etc.) to ask if they’d be willing to partner with you. Let them know you are raising funds for Advocate Health Care and would like to host a fundraising party at their establishment. Work out a mutually beneficial arrangement with the business so that you will receive a portion of the proceeds from the fundraising party.
Host a garage sale: Ask your friends and family to clean out their attics, garages, and basements and bring items for a garage sale to support your fundraising. Be sure to post signs indicating that all proceeds benefit Advocate Health Care and the specific area you are fundraising for. Have a donation jar available and ask everyone who attends to donate an additional amount.
Arrange a dine out fundraiser: Ask a local restaurant to donate a share of the evening's proceeds to Advocate Health Care, and then invite your friends!
Ask local businesses: Walk in to a neighborhood coffee shop, restaurant or store and you could walk away with a donation or even a sponsor.
Propose a casual day at work: Encourage your workplace to offer a dress-down day in exchange for a small donation.
Organize a bake sale: If sweet treats are your specialty, stage a bake sale at work or at your child’s school.
Be Helpful: Dog walking (or washing), babysitting, running errands, you name it, just ask for a donation as payment.
Be Handy: Mow lawns, rake leaves, clean gutters, or wash windows for donations.
Use gift-giving holidays to your advantage: During the holidays or your birthday, ask for a donation rather than a present.
Tie donations to everyday expenses: Asking your supporters to skip a small purchase in exchange for a donation is a simple and effective way to gain support. Why not encourage your co-workers to donate their coffee money for the day to support your efforts?
Stage a car wash: Find a prime location in your neighborhood to set up a car wash. Don’t forget to promote your efforts around the area!
Music to your ears: For those who choose to run with music, it’s not too early to start thinking about your playlist for the race. Turn your playlist into a fundraising opportunity. Tell your friends, family, colleagues, acquaintances that you will add any song they choose to your race day playlist in exchange for a donation amount.
Double your impact: Many companies offer a matching gift program for charitable contributions. You can double your gift just by filling out a simple form. To find out if your employer offers a matching gift, check with your personnel or human resources department to see if your company has a matching gift program. You can also search a list of companies that already match gifts to the Advocate Charitable Foundation.
