Today we bring you another installment in our weekly series of fundraising Best Practices in Action. Each week, we’ll highlight an organization that has done an incredible job of promoting its online fundraising efforts with FirstGiving and show you how to do the same. This week’s Best Practice is. . .
Create some excitement around your event.
Our friends at Special Olympics Montana know how to get their supporters excited about their annual series of Polar Bare Plunges. The icy events begin this weekend and continue through March, and the brave souls who are “freezin’ for a reason” have already raised over $20,000 online.
A few weeks ago, Terri at Special Olympics Montana sent out an email to her plungers about the “coolest event in town” (i.e., the polar plunge). It was a great and effective email because she:
- said “Thank you for being one of the brave and frozen in this chilly event. The positive impact this will have on the lives of thousands of individuals with intellectual disabilities will last a lifetime.”
- provided details about where to be and when on the day of the event
- reminded plungers of their fundraising commitment and included a sample email to send to friends and family:
Dear friends,
I am writing to ask for your help. On December 5, 2009 I have committed to “Freezin’ for a Reason” for the athletes of Special Olympics Montana by taking a chilly dip into Lake Elmo during the Polar Bare Plunge. I have set a personal fundraising goal of $[insert amount], and I need your help to reach it! So no, I’m not asking you to take the Plunge alongside, but instead, I am asking if you will make a donation to Special Olympics Montana on my behalf. Any amount would be appreciated – it all goes to a wonderful cause and every little bit gets me that much closer to my goal.
So, to recap: Build some fundraising reminders into your event communication plan, and give your supporters the tools to be successful for your cause.
Happy fundraising!
