Fundraising Ideas
- Start early. The sooner you start, the sooner you will see the wonderful response.
- Set a high goal and tell everyone. You’ll be amazed how easy it is to recruit supporters if you give people the opportunity to support you. If you meet your goal, raise it!
- Have an elevator pitch. Develop a personalized concise response to “Why is Samaritans important to you?” Most of your network wants to support you first and suicide prevention second. (Make this into your team bio!)
- Write a letter or email. A meaningful letter about your participation is an easy way to tell your story. Include a link to your online fundraising page. Send emails through your 5K Participant Center to automatically track responses.
- Know the facts. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. On average, there is one death from suicide every 12 minutes in the U.S. In Massachusetts, there are four times as many suicides as homicides each year.
- Educate people about where their gift goes, and don’t apologize for asking. Every dollar raised for the 5K Run/Walk for Suicide Prevention goes directly to Samaritans’ lifesaving programs: the 24/7 Helpline that answers calls and texts, peer grief support for those who lost a loved one to suicide, and workshops to help prevent future tragedy.
How to Raise $1,000 in a Week
- Day 1: Love Yourself – Kickstart your fundraising and donate to your own campaign! People are more likely to give if they see that you’ve already donated!
- Day 2: Make It a Family Affair – Ask five family members to donate $25 each. You’re $125 closer to your goal!
- Day 3: With a Little Help from My Friends – Ask ten friends and neighbors to make a $25 donation. That’s $250, a quarter of your goal!
- Day 4: Workin’ Hard for the Money – Ask your boss for a company contribution or see if they offer a matching gift program. Don’t forget to ask your co-workers to support you and submit the appropriate paperwork for their matching gifts. If you’re a student, ask classmates and teachers to contribute.
- Day 5: Get Social – Share your fundraising page on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter and ask for contributions. If 20 connections donate $10, that’s $200!
- Day 6: Sponsor Me Please – Ask your favorite local business to sponsor your campaign with a $100 donation.
- Day 7: Find Your Community – Are you part of a book club, religious community, meet-up group, running club, or yoga class? Whatever you are into, ask 20 fellow attendees or members to donate $5.
Who to Ask
Individuals
- Immediate family
- Distant family
- Work acquaintances
- Friends
- Classmates
- Professors and instructors
- Neighbors
Groups
- Your religious and spiritual groups
- Alumni networks
- Clubs and organizations you belong to
- Social media followers
Businesses & Corporations
Talk to people you know at businesses you frequent. Many are willing to support community-based efforts. Many corporations offer matching gift programs; don’t forget to ask your donors if their companies match donations. An added bonus: Gifts of $1,000 or more from a business receive sponsorship visibility benefits. This is a great incentive when asking for large gifts!
Contact Samaritans’ Development office at (617) 536-2460 x 5 or [email protected] to learn more.
