Last month our friends at the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Richmond (DSAGR) put together their local chapter’s Buddy Walk fundraiser as part of Down Syndrome Awareness Month.

This year, the Richmond chapter used a Firstgiving start page to co-ordinate registration and fundraising for the event.  Allison, the Walk’s Committee Chair, emailed us to say,

“Thanks a million for helping us to net over $50,000 total for the DSAGR Buddy Walk! We almost quadrupled our net fundraising total from last year’s Walk!”

Here at Firstgiving, we are always working hard to help our fundraisers meet (and heck, not just meet. . . exceed!) their fundraising expectations.  So we are of course thrilled when fundraisers like these Buddy Walkers do so well.

We’re also willing to bet that a few key aspects of DSAGR’s online fundraising plan helped them to be wildly successful.  Here are some highlights:

• Recognition that their supporters come in all shapes and sizes.  DSAGR provided several registration options to Walk participants: walker-fundraiser (individual and team), event volunteer, and non-walker fundraiser.  In so doing they included their entire network of supporters and enabled all these people to fundraise for them, even if they could not participate on the day of the event.
• Clear instructions.  The DSAGR start page provides clear, step-by-step instructions on how to register for the Walk, create a fundraising page, donate, and volunteer.
• Where to go for help. The page includes links and email addresses for participants who are baffled or need some coaching through the registration and fundraising process.
• Media=Inspiration.  DSAGR provides links to a video of last year’s walk, DSAGR’s main site, and other resources related to Buddy Walks nationwide.

Result: individual fundraisers like George, Megan and Maura, and teams like Queen’s Team and Taylor’s Trotters raised thousands of dollars online.  Kudos to you and everyone who worked hard to make this year’s Buddy Walk a success!

Don’t keep your stories a secret; post a comment below to tell us about how you’ve made your fundraising events successful.