Start Off Strong Checklist
- Take a few minutes to personalize your fundraising page. You can add pictures and update the text in several areas to encourage your network to give generously.
- Review the “Ask for Donations & Thank Donors” tab found in the left-side menu (Log In > Manage My Page) – it is a “one stop shop” for all key actions to start your fundraising off strong!
- Lead by example and make a self-donation to your page if you can.
- Check out the tips and links in the “Ask Your Friends” tab – send emails, texts, and post on social media. Sample verbiage to help you get started can be found in the email/social post sections below.
- Use the campaign hashtags #CMAcolorwalk when posting on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
- Make sure to thank your donors and enter any offline donations you receive.
Keys to Success
Make it personal. The messages in this document are samples that you can use as is, or better yet, as a starting point to create your own. Customizing the messages/images you share on your online fundraising page, social media, via email, text, etc. is a great way to highlight why this is important to you. This will inspire your network to give even more!
Set a goal. And make a plan to reach it! Keep scrolling for a list of daily activities that can help you raise $200 (or more) in just one week! Focus on actions like emailing, texting, posting, and asking for specific donation amounts that will help get you to your goal.
PRO TIP: If you are getting close to or exceed your fundraising goal, you can update it to reach for a new goal! To do this, log in and go to the Manage My Page Personalize Your Page tab (left side menu). Here, you will be able to update the amount in the “What is your personal fundraising goal?” section.
Make it fun. Consider going “live” on social media, fun challenges, small incentives, shoutouts, and other ways to have fun while raising money!
Create a sense of urgency. To help move people to act quickly, consider ways you can create a sense of urgency throughout your fundraising. Can you create micro-goals to promote via social media (e.g., help me raise $100 today, etc.)? Can you use mission messages to inspire your network to donate right away? Brainstorm some other ways to engage everyone throughout your fundraiser. People love a challenge!
Work your connections. Do you know a company who might want to sponsor your fundraiser or a business owner who might want to donate a portion of their proceeds? Reach out to share details about the CMA Color Walk to see if they might want to get involved. Do you know someone with a large social media following? Ask them to help you promote the fundraiser on their channels. You will be surprised how many people will want to help if you ask them to!
Have a follow up plan. People are busy and may not be able to donate when you ask them to. Think of some follow up messages you can send to your network to encourage continued support. Creating a follow up plan will help ensure that you reach your goals. You’ve got this!
PRO TIP: Four weeks is a long fundraising timeline, so when it comes to outreach via email and text, it’s best to wait about 3-5 days between each individual touchpoint. If you’ve emailed someone once or twice already, consider switching it up by texting them next time. Post on social media about 1-2x per week and mix it up by using different platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and perhaps even LinkedIn. Space it out and mix it up!
Show thanks. Fundraising for weeks and reaching your goal means lots of support from friends and family. Show the love and share words/actions of thanks whenever you can! Send thank you messages, give social media shoutouts to donors, highlight the impact of giving, etc. Your supporters will be grateful for anything you do to thank them for giving and sharing throughout your campaign!
Sample Email
Subject Line: Support Me in My School's Walk-A-Thon!
Hi friends and family,
I'm excited to be participating in my school's Walk-A-Thon this year, and I need your help! 🏫 We're raising money to support Central Montessori Academy, and my goal is [insert goal] to contribute to the school’s programs and activities.
Would you consider donating to help me reach my goal? Every little bit helps, and it would mean a lot to me! Visit (Insert Fundraising Page Link) to learn more.
Thank you so much for your support!
Best,
[Child’s Name]
Sample Follow-Up Email
Subject Line: Please support my efforts for CMA
Hi friends and family,
I just wanted to follow up on my Walk-A-Thon fundraiser for Central Montessori Academy. There's still time to donate, and I’m getting closer to my goal! 🎯 Your support would really make a difference in helping me and my school.
If you're able to contribute, I'd really appreciate it. Visit (Insert Fundraising Page Link) to learn more. Thank you again for considering!
Best,
[Child’s Name]
Tell your friends & family why CMA is important to you
Sample Social Post/Text Message A:
I am proud to be participating in school's Walk-A-Thon! We're raising money to support Central Montessori Academy, and my goal is [insert goal] to contribute to the school’s programs and activities. Visit (Insert Fundraising Page Link) to learn more. Thank you!
Sample Social Post/Text Message B:
Did you know that CMA is (Insert your child’s favorite thing about CMA)? You can support CMA by donating to my fundraiser today. Every dollar helps! (Insert Fundraising Page Link)
Sample Social Post/Text Message C:
Challenge alert! I am only (Insert Amount to Fundraising Goal) away from reaching my fundraising goal for CMA. Won't you please give today? You can donate or share this post to help me reach my goal. Thank you! (Insert Fundraising Page Link)
Campaign Hashtags: #CMAcolorwalk
Raise $200 in a Week Challenge!
Day 1: Kickstart your fundraising by making a self-donation of $20. It will inspire others to give!
Day 2: Call two of your extended family members – aunts & uncles, grandparents, cousins – and ask them to each match your $20 donation. Now, you’re up to $60!
Day 3: Record a short video about why you are fundraising and post it on social media, along with the link to your fundraising page. If three people give $20 each, you’ve doubled your total to $120!
Day 4: Send an email to family and friends with your fundraising link. Ask them to help you hit your fundraising goal. If three of them give $10 each, you’re already to $150 – just $100 more to go!
Day 5: Text the link to your 5 best friends to ask them to each make a $10 donation. Now you’re up to $200!