Setting a goal for your fundraiser is your first step. $500 is a good place to start. Once you’ve reached your goal, you can increase it and raise more funds.
PRO TIP: To jumpstart your campaign, be the first one to donate! Showcasing that you’re not only a supporter but also a donor will encourage your network to give.
Your story is the first thing people will see when visiting your fundraising page, so your goal is to make it as impactful as possible. It’s important to communicate how our Pathways mission has impacted your life in a meaningful way and why you’ve decided to fundraise on our behalf. People are more likely to give if there’s an emotional connection.
We’ve included pre-written communications for you to use at every major campaign milestone to make fundraising as easy as pie.
We recommend maintaining momentum between each of these main milestone communications with one to two social posts per week and one weekly email to help keep your campaign top of mind.
Copy, paste (fill in the blanks), and start fundraising. 🙂
WHEN TO SEND:
Right after you’ve completed setting up your fundraising page. The purpose of this announcement is to let your online network (IRL & social media friends, family, peers, colleagues, neighbors) know that you’ve signed on to raise funds for a cause near and dear to your heart and that you need their help. Basically, you’ve got to get the word out to everyone you know to help you reach your fundraising goals. The goal is to share, share, share!
SUBJECT LINE:
Let’s raise some money together for a good cause, Pathways to Independence
BODY:
Hey, [Name]!
I hope this finds you healthy and doing well. I’ve got great news! As you might know, I am a (name your involvement-FOP, Board Member, client or mentor), and as an (FOP, Board Member, client or mentor), I’m committed to helping Pathways to Independence raise [$Goal] which will keep our clients in school, healthy, moving forward to their goal of independence and contributing to our world.. I would love your help! Every donation, large or small, makes a difference and moves Pathways to Independence closer to their fundraising goal.
Are you ready to make a lasting impact? Please visit my fundraising page at [URL] and make a donation today! Any amount helps, from the cost of a latte to the cost of a new purse..
If you want to make an even larger impact, you can sign on as a supporter of this campaign, too, and create a fundraising site [Link to Campaign Site Landing Page] of your own, set your personal fundraising goal, and start spreading the news!
Can’t donate or become a supporter? No worries, we have another way to help: please consider forwarding this email to your friends and family to get the word out.
Thanks so much for your support!
WHEN TO SEND:
When you’re halfway to meeting your fundraising goal.
The purpose of the midway announcement is to share that you’re halfway to meeting your fundraising goals and still need help to get to the finish line. The tone should be excited in nature and get your network to feel motivated to help you reach your goals.
SUBJECT LINE:
Ohhh, we’re halfway there—$XX more to go!
BODY:
[Name],
I’ve got great news—I’m halfway to reaching my personal fundraising goal of [Goal Amount] raised for Pathways to Independence! Pretty awesome, right? All the money raised will help Pathways clients in their education and wellness goals and help get them closer to graduation. Will you help me move the needle forward with a donation? Visit [Campaign Site Link] today.
If the mission of Pathways to Independence is near and dear to your heart like it is mine, consider becoming a supporter and starting your own fundraising page to help them reach their goal more quickly! Plus it’s a great way to leverage your awesome social media networks for a good cause (but keep those cat memes coming, please!).
Thank you!
WHEN TO SEND:
One (1) day before the fundraiser ends.
The purpose is to inform your network that time is running out and they can help you reach your goals by donating and/or sharing your fundraiser with their network. These messages create a sense of urgency with a time-sensitive deadline so your network knows they only have a little time left to help you reach your goals.
SUBJECT LINE:
I’m close to my goal—will you help me reach it?
BODY:
Hi [Name]!
Believe it or not, I’ve raised [Amount Raised] for Pathways to Independence and their clients, and I’m only [$XX] away from reaching my fundraising goal. If you haven’t donated yet, please donate now!
If you’ve already donated, consider one more gift: share this link [Campaign Site Link] with your family, friends, and social networks. Imagine how much more can be accomplished if everyone joins in. We are making the world better, one step at a time. Let’s do it!
WHEN TO SEND:
When the campaign ends or you’ve hit your goal.
The purpose of this is to let your network know that the campaign has ended and/or you’ve reached your fundraising goals. The tone should be congratulatory and should thank your network for their contributions of donations/shares. This is also a great way to share the impact of their support.
SUBJECT LINE: We did it!
BODY:
[Name], with your help and support, I raised [$XX] for Pathways to Independence! I can’t thank you enough. Pathways will now be able to keep our clients in school, keep them on track with healthcare and wellness, get them closer to graduation—that’s a huge deal. I hope you feel good about your contribution because I sure appreciate it.
I hope we can continue to work together to help organizations like Pathways to Independence reach their fundraising goals. World change happens one person at a time, and I’m happy we were able to make a difference together.
Until next time!
WHEN TO SEND:
One (1) week after the campaign has ended.The purpose is to thank everyone who helped support you in reaching your fundraising goals with a personal message.
BODY:
Dear [Supporter Name],
Dear [Supporter Name], We did it! Thanks to your support, I met my fundraising goal of $XX for Pathways to Independence. They’re now one step closer to achieving their mission of helping clients complete the program and keep moving forward to graduation. How great is that?
It felt so good to have my friends and family join me in raising money for such a great cause. I’ve been a (Friend of Pathways, Board Member, Client or mentor) for X years and this is a new way to help our clients, beyond the amazing annual event. Reaching this goal is a testament to the power of social fundraising and what we can achieve if we all work together toward a common goal. I hope you feel great about your contribution because I couldn’t have done it without you.
Hope we can make some more fundraising magic in the future. Until then, cheers!
The success of our event depends heavily on the amount and ways that we’re sharing our campaign with friends, family, and colleagues. Social media, email, text messaging, and word of mouth are some of the best ways to get our request noticed. Feel free to use the images and video however suits your personality best.
Always include a link to either pathwaystoindependence. org or your funraise page on each post
Tag Pathways to Independence in your posts by typing @Pathways to Independence and selecting the correct organization. Should show as highlighted when typing post on Facebook.
Hashtag ideas: #partyforpathways #auction #education #healthcare #therapy #mentoring #supportingwomen #funraiser #missiondriven #changemakers #nonprofit #causes #educateminds
Use emojis to add personality to your posts
