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Fundraising 101: Tips and Ideas
Five easy steps to get you started:
- BE BOLD – aim high when you set your goal. Don’t forget about our Top Fundraiser club made up of all individuals who raise $1,000 or more. All Top Fundraisers receive great perks and prizes. Update your goal in your Participant Center so it is proudly displayed on your fundraising website, and share your goal when asking your friends and family for support. When you surpass your goal, be sure to update your page with a new one!
- BE THE FIRST – start your fundraising off with a bang by making a donation toward your fundraising goal. Others will be more inclined to give if they see you have made a donation yourself.
- BE PERSONAL – share your story with your donors. Tell everyone you know that you are participating in Climb to the Top, and tell them why.
- BE SIMPLE – go online and use the set of easy to use online fundraising tools right at your fingertips called your Participant Center! You can set up a personal web page, send out emails, and track your progress. Go to www.climbMSnyc.org to log in to your Participant Center and get started now!
- BE CREATIVE – we have all kinds of innovative fundraising ideas and tips to help get you started. Some ideas are listed on this page and you can find many more by visiting 101 Fundraising Ideas. If you would ever like to meet with a Society staff member to discuss your fundraising plan and gain more resources, please contact Carrie at carrie.seekircher@nmss.org.
Other ideas:
- Use the special occasions – instead of gifts for holidays or your birthday - ask for donations.
- Hold a raffle – ask people to make a donation to your Climb to the Top fundraising to receive a ticket for a drawing and ask a local retailer to donate a prize that the winner will receive.
- Offer to do something unusual or embarrassing for your friends (shave your head or dye your hair) to raise a specific amount.
- Corporate sponsorship: Ask companies that you frequent if they would be willing to sponsor you at a certain level. This is an easy way to get a large donation fast!
- Include a link to donate in the signature of your email and mention Climb to the Top and the website on your voicemail.
- Create your own Climb to the Top business cards that include a brief synopsis of the event, your name, and the website to register or donate. Pass these out to everyone you know and encounter!
- Host your own Wrap-Around Event. A Wrap-Around Event is a fundraising event you plan and host to help raise money for Climb to the Top. This could be anything from a karaoke night to a bake sale – all the money raised can go back to your Climb to the Top efforts. It is also a great idea to get a local restaurant or bar involved and ask them to partner with you on a special fundraising night.
- Ask your company about their matching gift program – this is the easiest way to double your donations!
- The best tip we can give is to BE BOLD in asking:
- Don’t be afraid to share your story and make your fundraising personal. Tell your friends, family, neighbors, and colleagues why you are passionate about the MS movement.
- Sticking to traditional methods of face to face asks, letter writing, and emails are sometimes the best methods.
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