Fundraising

Personalize Your Profile – Make your profile page personal. Include your photo and a message that explains why you are participating in the DCC.

• Are you riding in memory of someone?
• Have you been personally affected by cancer?

Personal Appeals – If you are asking someone for a significant gift, ask him or her in person.

• Consider taking the person to lunch, dinner, or coffee.
• Make eye contact!
• Be prepared to talk about the DCC and why this is a meaningful event to you.

E-mail – E-mail your friends and family personalized donation messages asking for their support.

• Be yourself! Be personal! Be passionate! Explain why YOU are participating in the DCC.
• Speak directly to the reader! Use their name in the salutation. Help donors understand they are making a difference.
• Include a link to your DCC profile page and a link Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center website.

E-mail Signature – Add the DCC link and Sylvester link to your e-mail signature.

Text Messaging – Send out a text message to your friends and family with a link to your DCC profile page.

Hard Copy Letters – Consider sending out a hard copy of your donation letters. These can be very powerful and more personal then e-mail and text message.

Facebook and Twitter – Post a message and link to your DCC profile page on Facebook and Twitter to promote the DCC and to provide an easy way for your friends and followers to donate. Don’t forget to “Like” the DCC Facebook page by clicking HERE!

Thank You Notes – Send unique thank you notes to your donors.

•  Handwritten notes are more personal than typed notes!
• Consider using personalized stationary.

eBay & Mission Fish – Auction items on eBay or Mission Fish. Talk to local businesses about donating items for your auction and be sure to describe your cause in the item description. For further instructions on how to auction items using these sites, click HERE.

Promote at the Office – Use your office or school to your advantage!

• Ask your company to donate.
• Check with your HR department to see if your company matches charitable donations.
• With your employer’s permission, send a solicitation e-mail to your colleagues with a donation form and DCC link.
• Host a lunch and present about the DCC and your involvement.
• Post a goal thermometer outside your office or on your cubicle for others to see at work.
• Post on the company intranet message board.
• Ask your supervisor to approve a jeans day, where employees can wear jeans if they bring $5 to work on designated day

Tell Everyone On Campus – Take your campus by storm!

• Ask your professors if you can make an announcement in class.
• Post fliers on bulletin boards in heavily populated areas.
• Send solicitation e-mails to sororities, fraternities, and other student organizations.
• Ask your college or university to place an ad in the alumni newsletter asking for donations.

Ask Friends, Family, and Local Merchants for Help – Don’t fundraise alone!

• Reach out to friends and families and ask them to distribute forms at work or school.
• Ask local businesses to promote your fundraising by posting a flyer with your Rider number.

Fundraising Parties – Host a fundraising party at your home. Have donation forms readily available for your guests. Your party could include raffles and silent auctions.

Garage Sales, Bake Sales & Spaghetti Dinners – Host a garage sale, bake sales, or spaghetti dinners and donate the funds raised.

Spin-A-Thons – Organize a spin-a-thon at your local health club. Speak with spin instructors at the club and see if they would be willing to donate their time to teach a class.  You can also leave donation forms with the instructors and ask them to make an announcement in class.

In Lieu of Gifts – Have a special occasion coming up? Ask for donations in lieu of traditional gifts.

Need more ideas?  Check these out!

HOW TO RAISE $1000 IN 10 EASY STEPS!

SAMPLE FUNDRAISING LETTERS

Use the Dolphins Cycling Challenge logos below in your fundraising efforts.