FUNDRAISING TIPS
Congratulations and well done!
You have registered to run the BLOM Beirut Marathon for your favorite cause, this means that you’ve taken the first step in supporting your chosen charity and you are now part of their team.
But your work isn’t done just yet……………………
Charities rely heavily on supporters like yourself to take part in big sponsored events like the BLOM Beirut Marathon and make an effort in helping them raise funds. Any amount of funds you raise can make a big difference!
To help you along in your journey, we have put together some simple steps and tips to successful fundraising:
- Start as soon as possible: the more time you have, the more funds you can raise!
- Plan ahead: have a fundraising plan of action, who do you want to target? How will you target them, in person, by email, social media or all the above?
- Arm yourself with information: you must really understand the charity and the cause you are raising funds for, it is easier to elicit donations when you can confidently tell people what their money will be spent on
- Set a fundraising target: people will ask you how much you’re planning to raise, if you set an ambitious target it will prompt them to give more. It will also remind them what a worthwhile task you’re undertaking.
- List your target sponsors, think local and international: make a list of your family members, friends, colleagues and any organizations you want to approach and how you want to approach them. Start your sponsorship sheet with those you think will give the most generous donation, this will encourage the others to follow suit. Also be prepared to prompt people with an amount for which you would like them to sponsor you
- Reach out: Now that you know who you are targeting it’s time to start sending requests. Contact your local and international sponsors by sending out an email requesting for them to sponsor your run by helping along your fundraising efforts and donating towards your cause. Please download the below sponsorship email template for an idea of what sort of message you can be sending
If you do not have internet access or you want a more personal approach, you can easily approach people directly, in this case you would use the below pledge form template or if your chosen charity has a customized form available on their website you would use that.
pledge_form_template__to_print_
- Your sponsors are now part of your team: Make your sponsors feel involved by sending them regular updates on your fundraising progress and any news about the charity you are running for
- Last but not least, remember that you are doing something that will make a change in the lives of others……………….Be proud!
