Since Mercy Home is almost 100 percent privately funded and the care we provide is only possible thanks to generous donors, all Heroes are encouraged to maximize fundraising. If you haven’t read “8 Steps to Charity Running Success” start there. These
- Edit your fundraising page with a photo of you, preferably in your Heroes jersey, and your personal story. What is your reason for doing this? Continue to update the page during your journey. People who personalize their page raise seven to 18 times more than those who don’t!
- Energy is considered one of the important attributes of being a great fundraiser. Energy, enthusiasm, and empathy are the 3-Es donors like to see in the people who call on them for gifts.
- Every dollar helps but make big asks first. Remember it takes 175 $10 donations to hit the $1,750 minimum, and only 35 $50 gifts.
- Asking in person gets the largest gifts. Find your asking style and use it to your advantage.
- Put your fundraising page link in your social media bios and your email signature.
- Thank people quickly and personally. Hand-written thank you cards increase the likelihood of a second gift by 400%. (Yes, people will give a second gift!)
- People want to give. You provide them with an outlet to change the world. Never say no for someone. You never know who our mission might resonate with.
- When posting your fundraising page on social media, use hashtags, especially on Instagram #sweatyselfie #chicagomarathon #mercyhome #mercyhomeheroes #nodistanceistoofar
- Be authentic, honest, passionate: It’s OK to say it’s hard. In fact, it’s preferred. Post after your hardest runs, on your toughest days.
- Use special days to create social media fundraisers, such as your birthday or Global Running Day. You can use the National Day calendar to take advantage of this too. “It’s National Sugar Cookie Day. Do something sweet and give a gift to bring hope and healing to kids in need.”
- Follow the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on social media and share and their posts, along with a link to your fundraising page.
- Don’t just mass email your address book. Take a few minutes to make a connection to an email recipient. It can make a HUGE difference. Fundraisers who utilize personalized mails raise up to 11 times more. Only 22% of fundraisers send emails. People who send just 4 to 10 emails average $585 in donations; sending 15 or more raises that to $1368! And pay attention to your subject line. It has to stand out in a crowded inbox.
- The word “you” warms up the conversation, brings people closer, makes everything much more personal, and sends an unengaged mind into a higher state of alertness. Please understand: “you” is far more than a pronoun. It’s a profound emotional trigger as well. Be sure to use “you” in written asks.
- Our staff writes stories regularly on the children in our care. Use these via email and social media to show potential donors success stories of what their money is funding. People want to be part of a winning team. We also have a YouTube page with some excellent videos you can share.
- Get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Asking for money can be hard.Remember you are not asking for yourself, you are asking on behalf of the children supported by Mercy Home. And people really like to help!
And remember…
- Start with a solid donation to your own page. It shows donors you’re financially committed as well. Remember your gift will set the bar. Runners who donate to themselves raise twice as much.
- Make your initial asks with the people most likely to give: Friends and family. Build some early momentum and practice your fundraising pitch.