New to fundraising or need a refresher? This page has some great ideas, steps and ways you can be truly successful.
Below are three easy steps to get you started and remember to aim high and you could be one of our top fundraisers!
Step 1) Make It Personal: Personalize your fundraising page, where friends, family, and co-workers can sponsor you online, by logging in to your Participant Center. There you can:
Share your reasons for participating in the 5K by editing the text on your page.
Create or change your custom URL that links directly to your fundraising page.
Upload your own images or videos.
Set or change your fundraising goal.
Step 2) Talk the Talk: Now that you have a sparkling new fundraising page, share the link with everyone you know and ask them to sponsor you for PAWS IN MOTION. Don’t be afraid to follow up or send reminders, and remember to thank your donors! You can share the link by:
Sending an email through your Participant Center - the link is automatically included in all messages you send and there are templates to choose from and customize!
Connecting your Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn accounts to your HQ to post outreach messages to all your social media contacts.
Copying and pasting your custom URL into your fundraising outreach emails directly.
Step 3) Get Moving: Get ready for Paws In Motion 5K by reviewing important "Day of Event" information.
Turn in any cash or check donations you have received before the event, to be added to your fundraising page, or drop them off the morning of the event.
Don't forget to pick up your t-shirt and packet the week of the 5K (check for dates and times on the calendar of events).
It's up to you, along with others, knowing that your work supports the Helping Paws mission to further people's independence and quality of life through the use of Assistance Dogs.
The people most likely to give are those who have given before. Go back to our previous supporters and let them know the impact of their past donation(s). Keep your supporters updated on your progress and follow up after the walk. Thank your supporters… and then thank them again.
Request a Presentation: Are you on a team and want to learn more about how their fundraising is making an impact to those benefited by the use of an assistance dog? We have staff available to do a DEMO in your office or community center. If you are interested in setting up a DEMO please fill out this online form and someone will reach out to discuss further details.
Set Your Target and Request: Ignoring to set up your fundraising page is the biggest cardinal sin in the land of Helping Paws. A successful fundraising page includes a personal picture or video along with a personal message talking about why this is important to you. Including "tangible outcomes", such as “A donation of $60 provides food and supplies to a litter of newborn puppies.", are often effective.
Post On Social Media To Maintain Momentum: Leverage your social media networks to maintain momentum. Thanking people for their contributions, posting pictures/videos of thanks and your previous participation, asking friends to share/re-post your ask and seeking more donations is pretty effective.
Send Regular Updates And Celebrate Successes: Use email and social media platforms to keep everyone up to date with your progress. Send regular updates, especially when you hit certain milestones (50% raised). Use this communication to seek donation pledges that will get you to the next milestone.
Send Personalized Email Appeals: There is nothing more your friends, family and colleagues care about than “WHY” the 5K is important to you. Research has shown that most donors give because the cause is important to the fundraiser. Make the email personal by conveying why you are participating and why they should donate.
Follow Up With Texts And Calls: So you’ve created a stunning page, donated on the page yourself, have reached out to close friends and family via emails. It’s time to put the hammer down and start following up with them via texts and phone calls. In this day and age of limited attention spans, making sure that you’re driving donations to action is extremely critical.