empire state ride fundraising guide
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2015TRANSCRIPT
Fundraising 101
The Empire State Ride is more than just the ride of your life. The money you raise will support groundbreaking
cancer research that will one day find a cure for cancer. We’re committed to helping you reach your fundraising goals,
and we’ve compiled our most effective tips and tools for you to use in your efforts.
Personal Fundraising PageWhen you register for the Empire State
Ride, you’re automatically given an online fundraising headquarters and personal fundraising webpage. Through your HQ
you can add a picture or video, upload your contacts, set your fundraising goal, use our templates to send emails and social media posts, or create your own emails and posts!
Get SocialMore and more donors are giving
through social media, and Facebook is still the king. Ninety percent of all social media donations come from Facebook. Twitter and LinkedIn are great at getting donations after your initial request, and when the event is coming up. Use your
fundraising headquarters to post links to your personal page, or create your own
personalized posts asking for donations.
THE BASICS
Tell Your Story with Compelling ContentStorytelling is a great way to engage
your networks and encourage them to donate. Whether your ride is a personal
challenge or you’ve been affected by cancer in some way, share your reasons for riding on your fundraising page and in your donation requests. Be sure to include photos and video. Those you
ask will be more inclined to give when they know this ride means something
important to you.
STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT PERSONALIZED
PAGES GENERATE
20 PERCENT MORE DONATIONS ON AVERAGE THAN THOSE
WITH GENERIC COPY*.
Email Still RulesEmail is still the most effective way
to fundraise. More donations are made via email than any other channel. So email everyone in your address book,
even those you don’t expect to give. You’ll be surprised who donates to your ride.
* As reported by DonorDrive Peer-to-Peer Fundraising
Diversify Your PortfolioMore channels drive more donations.
Make sure you’re asking across many different platforms (email, Facebook, LinkedIn, standard
mail, face-to-face, etc.) and multiple times through each one.
Go MobileDownload our mobile app at EMPIRESTATERIDE.COM to
easily post and share from your phone. You can even text the link to your fundraising page
directly to your contacts.
KEEP AT IT
Follow UpBe persistent and ask multiple times to
engage prospective donors. While it may seem to you like you’re pestering them, life is hectic
and most donors appreciate the reminder. Remember, these are your friends, family and
loved ones. They want to support you!
ALMOSTHALF OF DONORS DON’T
DONATE AFTER THEY’VE BEEN ASKED ONCE.
Don’t Just Ask, Show...…And tell. Donors want to know how their
money is being used and about the progress being made as a result of their donation.
Familiarize yourself with the research being done so you can tell donors why their
support is so important. Use the fundraising tools at EMPIRESTATERIDE.COM to show
people how their donation will be used in the fight against cancer.
DONATIONS VIA MOBLIE DEVICES HAVE INCREASED
278 PERCENT IN THE LAST TWO YEARS WITH
TWO-THIRDSCOMING FROM SMARTPHONES*.
Thank YouSay Thank You
Make sure you acknowledge the people who donate to your ride. Send them a personal note, or update your progress and
say thank you on social media while tagging them in your post.
Be PreparedPotential donors are everywhere.
ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS TELL YOUR STORY AND ASK.
Keep Empire State Ride business cards with you to hand out to potential donors.
* As reported by DonorDrive Peer-to-Peer Fundraising
WE’VE COVERED THE BASICS…
…AND YOU’RE PROBABLY WELL ON YOUR WAY TO YOUR FUNDRAISING GOAL.
NOW, TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL WITH THESE FUNDRAISING TIPS:
PERSONALIZE YOUR ASK BY TELLING YOUR STORY
ASK MULTIPLE TIMES THROUGH MULTIPLE CHANNELS
SHOW DONORS HOW THEIR MONEY IS BEING USED
SAY THANK YOU
So send out same day reminders via email and social media.
Urgency drives action, so give your donors a deadline and ask
them to donate TODAY!
Throw a Fundraising PartyEveryone loves parties. Throw one
— like an International Night — with themed food and drinks. Take a
minute to talk about your ride, then pass a hat or leave a jar by the door to encourage your guests to donate.
Donations in Lieu of GiftsDo you have a wedding, birthday
or anniversary coming up? What about the holidays?
Ask your friends & family to donate to your ride instead of buying you a gift.
TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL
85 PERCENT OF DONATIONS COME ON THE SAME DAY
DONORS FIRST VISIT YOUR PAGE*
Same-Day ServiceDonate to Yourself
Each week, set aside a certain amount of money
to go toward your final goal. You’ll be surprised how much
will accumulate if you’re consistent.
* As reported by DonorDrive Peer-to-Peer Fundraising
Solicit Local BusinessesIs there a restaurant or bar that you and your friends frequent? Ask the owner or manager if they’ll sponsor your ride or donate a portion of one
day’s proceeds.
Send UpdatesUpdate people on your progress. Post a picture of yourself training for the ride and ask your friends
to donate and spread the word to their networks.
FUNDRAISING TIPS
BONUS: IF THEY AGREE,
PUT A JAR IN A HIGH TRAFFIC AREA
EXPLAINING WHY YOU’RE RIDING AND ASKING FOR DONATIONS.
Send a Personal LetterNever underestimate the power
of the postal service. People love getting mail! Write a personal
letter to potential donors explaining why you are riding and ask them to support you. You can
download a sample letter from EMPIRESTATERIDE.COM. Don’t forget to include a
personal note!
50/50 RaffleSports not your thing?
Organize a 50/50 raffle between your friends, family
and neighbors. Split the amount you raise between the winner of the
raffle and your fundraising total.
Use Your Email SignatureAt the bottom of your email signature add a link to your
fundraising page encouraging people to donate.
ORGANIZE
FOOTBALL SQUARES OR
BASKETBALL BRACKETS
AT THE OFFICE AND PUT ALL THE PROCEEDS TOWARD YOUR RIDE.
Sports Pools
Voicemail MessagePersonalize the voice
message on your home, work and cell phones asking people
to donate to your ride.
Ask at Tax TimeTAX SEASON IS A GREAT
TIME TO ASK FOR DONATIONS. JUST REMIND PEOPLE THAT
THEIR DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE!
Happy Hour PartyWho doesn’t love a good happy hour? Why not throw a happy hour for your
co-workers, friends and family where all the money raised go towards your goal!
FUNDRAISING TIPS
Be a TV & Radio StarCall your local radio & TV stations and ask them to make an announcement
about your ride. Who knows? Maybe they’ll even put you on
air and tell your story!
ExtracurricularsDo you or your kids play a team sport
or participate in a group activity? Ask teammates and fellow parents
to support your ride!
Poster/Display at WorkPrint out a poster at
EMPIRESTATERIDE.COM or make your own sign and leave
it at your desk or at the front of your office along with a jar
telling people about your ride and asking them to contribute.
Organize a Garage SaleDo some spring cleaning and hold
a garage sale. Ask your neighbors if they’ll contribute items and put all the
proceeds towards your goal!
eBayGET RID OF OLD CLOTHES,
TOYS, FURNITURE AND GADGETS BY
SELLING THEM ON EBAY AND DONATING
THE MONEY
TO YOUR RIDE.
Ride in Honor of a Loved OneGive your ride extra meaning by riding
for a loved one who is currently fighting or may have lost their battle to cancer.
Make sure to share their story in your outreach efforts.
FUNDRAISING TIPS
Enlist Your Loved OnesYou probably already asked your
friends and family. But did you ask them to ask THEIR friends and family to donate? Double your reach by asking them to
spread word of your ride through their networks.
Donation JarsRemember that donation jar you put at
the front of your office? Do the same thing at your gym, coffee shop, local bar
or any business that you frequent.
Dress DownOrganize a dress down or themed dress day at your office and ask
co-workers for a donation to your ride in order to participate.
Church BulletinAsk your place of worship
to mention your ride in their bulletin.
Member OrganizationsARE YOU A MEMBER OR ALUMNI OF A CLUB OR TRADE ORGANIZATION?
ASK YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO SUPPORT YOU AND HELP SPREAD THE WORD
ABOUT YOUR FUNDRAISING EFFORTS.
Use Your TalentsAre you a good baker?
Maybe you’re a skilled painter? Perhaps you’re an amateur
handyman. Hold a bake sale, an art show or offer to do small repairs
around a friend’s house to get you closer to your goal!
FUNDRAISING TIPS
Local Bike ShopChances are you’re familiar with your local bike shop. Ask them to support your ride, donate a portion of sales
proceeds or place a donation bucket near their register.
EMPIRESTATERIDE.COM
LOOKING FOR MORE FUNDRAISING IDEAS? HAVE A SUCCESSFUL TIP OF YOUR OWN THAT YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE?
We’re here to support our riders and help them reach their goals! Contact us any time at [email protected]
or by calling 716-845-3179.28728