2015 UGA Miracle Fundraising Guide
Fundraising isn’t something that should intimate you or scare you. Fundraising is something that everyone and anyone can do; it’s all about putting the power of choice into people’s hands and making them want to donate. Here’s how:
1. Inspire People want to feel good about what they are doing in life. Remember to ask anyone and everyone for a donation because the worst possible thing that can happen is that they tell you “no”. Don’t be afraid to double message/email/text because sometimes people are extremely busy and want to donate but simply didn’t have time in that moment. Inspiration: People want to feel inspired. When you are reaching out family/friend/whomever, instantly start your message with a personal and direct greeting, “Dear Uncle Bob, (place name). Immediately spend the first paragraph telling them what their direct impact on your life has been. Talk about how your life would be different if they weren’t involved. This really engages the reader and makes them feel good about what they have done in his or her life, it opens him or her up because he or she feels like a mentor or friend to you and when people feel good about themselves, they are more likely to donate. It allows you to love them back and to verbalize how his or her actions, words, or just overall demeanor has changed you. Example: Dear Mrs. White (high school teacher). I wanted to send this email to first personally thank you for everything that you had done for me while I was in your AP Spanish class. Your constant dedication to our class and willingness to stay before and after school to help us really meant a lot to me, not only were you a teacher but you were a life coach. You showed us how to live lovingly.
2. Empower
After telling the potential donor what his or her impact on your life has been, move into talking about CHOA, UGA Miracle, and the direct impact that this organization has had on your life, similar to the one that the donor has had. Talk about how it would mean the world to you if you could be the bridge between the organization and the donor and combine them to have an impact not only on you, but the organization. You want to empower them by telling them a brief, personal story about how CHOA and Miracle has impacted the kid’s lives and how if the hospital wasn’t funded then these children wouldn’t be treated with such high quality of care and love that CHOA specializes in. Talk about how the hospital is dedicated to giving sick kids back their childhoods. Then empower them! Talk about how they can continue their impact on this world, this city, and children’s lives through making a donation. Talk about your fundraising goal here, where the money goes, and include a CHOA video that empowers them to donate. People need people and people need to know their impact. If you stress how desperately you need them and how their gift* not donation will change a life, then they will feel like a superhero wanting to change.
3. Call to Action Now that they have been inspired and empowered…. It’s time to call to action. Here is where you become less gentle but stress the importance of their donation. We usually say, “I would not reach out to you personally, if this wasn’t something that I desperately needed your help with.” Talk about your understanding of the tough economic times right now and that any and all gifts are extremely appreciated regardless of the size. Post the link to your fundraising page in this third part with a powerful message asking them to give. Reiterate their specific role that they have played in your life and how thankful you are for way that they life. Desperately plea for their financial help and tell them that their donation comes full circle in the sense that it is tax-deducible. Then leave them with this: “I promise you that as I continue to grow up that I will utilize and further carry on the legacy and impact that you have had on my life. I promise to always remember your contribution and when I am one day in your shoes, I promise to pay it forward and bless someone who asks me to help their cause.