Fundraising Checklist

Every Registrant Can Make an Impact by Fundraising

You don’t need to be a fundraising expert in order to be successful at it—you just need the desire to stand up to breast cancer and make a difference. In 2011 we have exciting new tools to help even the shyest registrant support our mission.

Remember: You’re not raising money for yourself, you’re raising money to eradicate breast cancer and EVERY dollar makes an impact.

• Register Today. The sooner you get started, the easier it is to raise funds.
• Set Your Personal Goal. We suggest setting your fundraising goal at $150 – Ask 15 people for $10 each.
• Log into your Participant Center and create a personal fundraising web page. Then click on send emails. Emails sent from your Participant Center will include a link to your page, allowing people to see your story and donate directly to you. There are sample e-mail templates, or you can create your own.
• Learn about Komen Chicagoland and where the money you raise will go. The more confidently you can discuss where a donor's money will go, the more confident that donor will feel in making a larger donation.
• Grant Page
• Race for the Cure Fact Sheet
• Identify Your Potential Donors. This is a list of everyone you know. Don't limit the list to friends and family, but add everyone you have contact info for or see in your daily life, including your online social networks, the person who delivers mail to you, colleagues that you work with, and acquaintances you might have lost touch with or only see sporadically. You never know who has been affected in some way by breast cancer and would be happy to support you and this cause.
• Download and Print Fundraising Tools. The following tools can be found online under the Fundraise tab on the Race site:
• Fundraising Tips
• Breast Cancer Fact Sheet
• Fundraising FAQs
• Start Asking. You can ask in person, by email, letter or phone. It depends on the person you're contacting. Whatever the format, it's important to let people know what you’re doing, why it's important to you and how they can support you. If you're not asking in person, let your passion shine through in your letter or email! Never assume people can’t or won’t donate. Ask, and let each individual decide for themselves. Be sure to let them know about the monthly payment option. People will surprise you. You will find that most will say yes, I want to help you.
• Start fundraising with Facebook and extend your fundraising efforts to your Facebook friends and networks.
• Check to see if your employer has a matching gift program. Many employers will match your personal gift. Employer matching gifts may also be available to you if you are the spouse of an employee, a retired employee or the spouse/widow/widower of a retiree.
• Thank every individual who helps you reach your goal. Let them know they’re making a difference.
• Provide updates - let people know how much you’ve raised and how close you are to reaching your goal.