Fundraising Tips
How will you know unless you ask?
- Explain why you are raising money for Pathways and your connection to youth homelessness in York Region and Richmond Hill.
- Suggest specific donation amounts (e.g. $50, $25, $10 etc.), but appreciate every level of support! Tell your donors about your goal.
- Make a generous personal donation first; donors will follow your lead.
- Keep a print version of your pledge form in your pocket/purse/school bag, just in case an opportunity presents itself.
- Be optimistic and stay motivated.
Be Informed – Educate Others
Learn everything you can about Pathways of York Region and what they do. Share that information with your potential donors.
Learn everything you can about Pathways of York Region and what they do. Share that information with your potential donors.
Fundraise with friends, family and in your community
- Offer your incentive prize as a draw to your donors.
- In lieu of gifts for a special occasion such as Valentine's Day or a birthday, ask for a donation to your GivingPage.
- Host a movie, or sporting event party, and suggest a donation as ‘admission.’
- Get to know your neighbours: hold a neighbourhood block party, in support of you and your team.
- Ask for donations for services: babysitting, shovelling snow, dog walking, etc.
- Book sale: dust those bookshelves and have a book sale.
- Valentine's Day party decorating: set-up a friend's party for a donation.
- Cook Off: Charge an entry fee/donation to cast your vote.
- Events/Games: Win the trophy, be the champ and earn bragging rights at Euchre, Rock/Paper/Scissors, Tic Tac Toe, Twister, Office Bingo, etc.
- Battle of the Bands – Guitar Hero/Rock Band: Charge an entry fee and judge the winner based on best costume and performance.
- Pools: Run a hockey/football/Lotto pool with part of the proceeds donated to Pathways.
- Errand Service: no-one ever has enough time, run an errand for a donation.
At work and in the office
- Corporate Match Program: Have your company match what you raise.
- Customize Your Email Signature: Add your fundraising page link to your email signature. “Please help me support Pathways of York Region by supporting me as I walk to raise funds for Youth Homelessness”
- Auction off a prime parking space at work to the highest bidder.
- Jeans/Casual Day at work: For a donation of just $5 to Pathways, employees can dress casually on a designated day. You can even sell a year's worth of Jeans/Casual Day privileges for $500 (that’s only about $20/pay!), or one month for $50.
- Team Spirit Day: Wear a jersey, t-shirt, or ball cap of favourite sports team for a donation.
- Spare Change: Have a collection box at reception to collect “extra change.”
- Food/Beverage Sales: Pancake breakfasts, BBQ lunches, snacks, fundraising lunches, etc.
- Recognition Day: Sell balloons, cupcakes, flowers, cards, etc. to be given to a co-worker. Bouquet of flowers: ask a local florist to donate one bouquet of flowers for February, March and April, and then have the emplyees take a chance to win some "springtime" for their desk.
- Auction off the boss: have the boss or department heads as your assistant for a day at work.
- Brown Bag Lunch Day: everyone pack a lunch and donate the money they would have spent on lunch.
- Challenge another team to beat you: many radio stations will air your challenge.
Follow-up
If you haven’t received a response from someone you’ve asked for a donation, remember to follow-up with them. Pick up the phone or send an email. Give them an update on your progress and be sure they haven’t forgotten.
Don’t forget to thank your donors!
After someone has supported you, pick up the phone and say thanks right away. Tell them about your progress to date. After the event, send out a personal thank you card in the mail to share your final results and some highlights from the event.
If you haven’t received a response from someone you’ve asked for a donation, remember to follow-up with them. Pick up the phone or send an email. Give them an update on your progress and be sure they haven’t forgotten.
Don’t forget to thank your donors!
After someone has supported you, pick up the phone and say thanks right away. Tell them about your progress to date. After the event, send out a personal thank you card in the mail to share your final results and some highlights from the event.