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 walking 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 your fundraising page, share the link with everyone you know and ask them to sponsor you for CT Walk for Autism. 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) Walk the Walk: Get ready for the CT Walk for Autism by reviewing important Day of information.

• Turn in any cash or check donations you have received before the walk, to be added to your fundraising page, or drop them off the morning of the walk.​
• If you have raised $100 or more, don't forget to pick up your t-shirt(s) at the registration area on the day of the walk.
• It's up to you, along with others, knowing that your hard work supports youth, adults and seniors navigating the autism landscape.

TIPS TO HELP YOU REACH YOUR GOAL:

The people most likely to give are those who have given before. Go back to your 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.

Set Your Target and Request: Ignoring to set up your fundraising page is the biggest mistake that could be made in fundraising. A successful fundraising page includes a personal picture or video along with a personal message talking about why the walk is important to you. 

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.

>> WHY NOT CONNECT YOUR PAGE TO A FACEBOOK FUNDRAISER <<

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 walk. Research has shown that most donors give because the cause is important to the fundraiser. Make the email personal by conveying why you are walking and why they should donate.

Follow Up With Texts And Calls: You’ve created a personalized fundraising page, now make a donation on the page yourself. Next, start reaching out to all those that would consider making a donation via texts and phone calls. And don't forget to follow-up...In this day and age of limited attention spans, making sure that you’re driving donations to action is extremely critical.