Project AWARE Fundraising Guide

#TEAMOCEAN

#TEAMOCEAN FUNDRAISING GUIDE WHY FUNDRAISE? It’s fun and easy! Ocean protection is a real challenge, one that we must address together. Fundraising brings your community together to raise funds and awareness for a clean and healthy ocean. Our local actions collectively protect the most vulnerable marine species and decrease pollution. We work together for a clean, healthy ocean – and we have fun doing it!

WHY SUPPORT OCEAN ®PROTECTION WITH PROJECT AWARE ?

Put purpose behind your passion. Project AWARE connects the passion for ocean adventure with the purpose of marine protection. Our adventures above and below water, fins on and off, lead us to see what often others can’t. We bring to the surface what’s beneath the waves and take action to implement positive change in our communities across the globe.

HOW DOES MY SUPPORT HELP? Fundraising for ocean protection with Project AWARE supports a clean and healthy ocean.

A Healthy Ocean: Vibrant and thriving marine ecosystems are critical to the ocean and the people that depend on them. We support policies that reward sustainable fishing practices and fight for biodiversity with both fins on & off. Our goals: • Advance policies to protect the most vulnerable species – in particular threatened and endangered sharks and rays - from overfishing • Restore critical marine habitats • Decrease and report the impacts from climate change on the underwater world

A Clean Ocean: Pollution from human activity has seriously damaging effects on marine ecosystems. We support the right policies to stop pollution at the source and work towards long-lasting solutions to eliminate the impacts in our communities with both fins on & off. Our goals: • Share the marine impacts of land based sources of pollution through data collection and reporting to help influence policy • Reduce the amount of pollution in the ocean • Save marine life from the effects of pollution Visit www.projectaware.org/teamocean to create a personal profile. Get started today!

The more time you have to fundraise, the greater impact you can make.

#TEAMOCEAN FUNDRAISER IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU

KEEP UP THE MOMENTUM

Donate your birthday, host an event or run a 5K. Whatever your passion or excuse, be sure to personalize your fundraising page from the heart. Make it about you. Fundraising is most effective when you share your personal story. Your friends and family want to support you. Wear your heart on your sleeve and share why you are passionate about ocean protection and explain what your fund­raising challenge is all about. Make it compelling; photos and videos can go a long way to convey who you are and why you are passionate about the cause.

Download the Fundraising toolkit. It’s full of free templates as well as printable and digital materials to support your fundraising success.

FOLLOW UP Send follow up emails. Don’t be shy to send a follow up.

People are busy and they will appreciate a reminder. Include an update on your fundraising action (maybe share a blog post and or photos of your preparation in action) and remind them how their donation helps. Use the email template we created or write your own. You can use Project AWARE’s My Ocean online community (www.projectaware.org/myocean) to post the event, blog and share photos and video.

FINISH STRONG Send a final reminder in the last few days before your event. Urgency is powerful.

Most people donate the week of or after a big event and appreciate a final call to remind them. Be sure your friends know your challenge is coming soon and they can help you hit your fundraising goal.

TEAM CHALLENGE? Want to make a huge splash for ocean protection? Rally some friends to join your fundraising chal­lenge. Think of a team name and create a team page. Add a photo, create a personal appeal and let everyone know about your action.

Don’t forget to invite your friends to join your team and start fundraising.

BE A GOOD EXAMPLE Get your fundraising challenge off to a great start, be sure to show your commitment and donate yourself.

This sets an example for others to follow. Then let your close friends and family know you made a donation and ask them to join you and support your challenge. Let them know why you are passionate to support a clean and healthy ocean.

SPREAD THE WORD Announcements and updates on social media are a great way to get the word out but sending personal emails and snail mail letters are the most effective way to ensure a positive response. Let your supporters, friends and family know about what you are doing and why you are doing it. Use our email template to get started.

Then use your social media as a follow up. Use funny, personally relevant images or memes to grab attention.

SHOW GRATITUDE Project AWARE will acknowledge all donations made directly through your fundraising profile but be sure to send all your supporters a personalized thank you email or letter. Let them know how much their support means to you. You can write your own or use our email template that we have created for you.

PUBLIC RECOGNITION Post acknowledgement on social media. Public recognition makes us feel good about ourselves and our contribution.

Be sure to thank and tag for each donation. They will love it and it might even encourage more donations from others on the fence!

FAQS We know you love the ocean but what else excites you? Love running? Create a team of runners and knock your fundraising socks off! Is bowling up your alley? Then get your mind in the gutter and hit a strike for ocean protection! There’s no set formula for the #TeamOcean Challenge – your options are as vast as the ocean.

Is it a race?

The #TeamOcean Challenge is not a competition. It’s all about raising funds and awareness while having fun. If you are competitive, create a team, invite others and make the most of your challenge and push yourself to raise more than the other fundraisers for the greatest impact.

Are donations tax deductible?

Immediately after a donation is made online, donors receive an email acknowledgement which serves as a receipt. Project AWARE Foundation is a registered, nonprofit organization. All or part of the gift may be tax deductible as a charitable contribution.

Do I need to sign a liability release form?

These are available for download and should be collected for every team member involved with physical challenges (for example swimming, scuba diving, running etc). Please ensure all team members are trained as appropriate according to the event challenge.

How do I get started?

You can start by creating your online fundraising profile.

Visit www.projectaware.org/teamocean for more info and to get started. Soon after you create your profile, we will be in touch to offer you support along the way.

What support is provided to ensure fundraiser’s success?

Project AWARE provides a toolkit for fundraisers at www. projectaware.org/resource/Team-Ocean-Fundraising-Tools and one on one support to help generate ideas and motivate fundraisers. Additional support materials like brochures, stickers and more are also available on request. Tech support for online fundraising is available. Fundraisers are regularly recognized through Project AWARE’s channels when possible.

Contact information@projectaware.org for more information.

I’m apprehensive about asking friends for money.

How can I do this?

Remember, fundraising isn’t about bothering people for money. It’s creating an opportunity to offer them a choice, to be a part of something bigger than themselves - helping our ocean planet! Studies prove donating makes people feel good so rest assured and enjoy spreading the good vibes! Plus you can always turn your services into cash – bake some cakes, wash some cars and channel your energy into your fundraising goals.

What requirements should I know about?

Fundraisers, please ensure you comply with all applicable local, state, provincial, federal, civil and criminal laws.

#TEAMOCEAN

THANK YOU! The challenges for the future of our ocean are vast, but together we are taking a stand for ocean protection. Since you’re passionate about protecting the ocean and its wildlife we thank you for supporting ocean protection with a #TeamOcean Challenge.

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Where Conservation Meets AdventureSM © Project AWARE 2018