My wife and I had dinner on Friday night with an old friend, Sandra and her husband.
Sandra sadly lost her Dad to cancer a few months back, and her mother-in-law has recently been diagnosed with advanced cancer.
Sandra wants to do something. She knows firsthand the devastation that cancer can bring and wants to contribute to the fight against it.
So Sandra is committing to doing a 60 km Walk in October to raise funds for the Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) and Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH). A couple of great causes.
Because I’ve done a ton of fundraising over the years, Sandra asked for some tips. I thought I’d share them below in case they’re useful for others.
How To Fundraise For Charity
The first thing to know is that people don’t donate to causes (usually), they donate to people.
People are far more likely to donate money to a friend because of the emotional connection they have with the friend.
So for Sandra, printing off a poster or 2 and placing it around her workplace, knocking on the neighbourhood doors and rattling a tin outside a shopping centre isn’t going to work very well.
What will work well is this – a story about why she is doing the walk. Perhaps a letter like this:
===================
Dear Brendon
As you know, my Dad recently passed away from cancer. My husband’s mum has also just been diagnosed with an advanced stage of cancer and her prognosis isn’t looking too good. It’s been a tough time.
I figure I can sit around and mope about the devastation cancer has had on my family, or I can do something about it.
I’ve chosen to do something about it – it’s my way to help others and it’s a way I’d like to honour my Dad, my mother-in-law and everyone who has been affected by cancer.
In late October I’ll be doing “The Weekend to End Women’s Cancer” 60 km Charity Walk in Brisbane.
My goal is to raise $2,000 – the money benefits the Queensland Institute of Medical Research and the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital with research work and equipment.
Please find enclosed the donation form. I’d be honoured if you can help me reach my goal with a donation – I’d be very grateful for any help.
Thanks and talk soon.
Sandra
===================
A personal appeal like that to Sandra’s friends will work wonder because it’s an emotional connection via her genuine story. We’re far more likely to buy from those we like – that’s why a donation request from a friend is way more likely to elicit a donation than a request of a stranger.
Hope that helps with any fundraising you might be doing.
Cheers
