Peer to Peer Fundraising

No matter what channel you choose to reach your network in support of the Red Cross, you can utilize these great tips to get your fundraiser ready to go!

• Set a Goal. Pick a number that you feel is achievable for your personal fundraising goal – you can always edit this on your page once you get a feel for the campaign. Keep in mind that donors like to see your progress and are more motivated to give if the goal is close
• Make it Personal. Update your fundraising page with personal touches: Upload a good photo, preferably one showing your support for the Red Cross. Tell your story on why this effort is important to you. Upload a short video, perhaps of you carrying out the work of the Red Cross. A few examples of some great personal pages can be found Here, Here, and Here
• Self-Donations. Consider making a donation to your page to get things started, even if it's small it will show you believe in your own efforts!

Use email, social media, and your creativity to spark interest and start engaging your personal network with your fundraising efforts

• Draft Potential Donor List. Think of people that you can count on for their support – friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers
• Segment your Donors. For best results, contact your potential donors in the way that is best for them. While sending a group email might be the easiest method for you, a personal letter or phone call to key contacts might be best for them. Lay out your approach and group your contacts by the best form of contact. Start with friends and family, co-workers, and fellow volunteers
• Email. Email drives more donations then social media. If possible, try emailing in small batches, such as 10, instead of larger batches. Making everyone feel slightly less anonymous will lead to more engagement
• Social Media. Use Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram to update your supporters about your fundraising campaign but don't solely rely on it, remember to engage supporters in other ways
• Turn-it-Around Fundraising. Remember those people that have asked you to buy products they sell, purchase cookies from their kids, support school events and donate to their charitable fundraisers? Now is the time to turn around and ask them to support your efforts!
• Start Small and Build. Recruit a few close supporters to donate before you let your network know about your efforts. Having a few donations to start off can make people feel like they are part of an already successful campaign
• Use Numbers. Find a creative way to ask for support using numbers. Ask people to donate $12 on the 12th of the month, or to donate the total of their birthday (month plus day)
• Ask, Ask, Ask. People want to support you, but everyone is busy and forgets. Follow up with your supporters, send updates to help remind them of your efforts and personalize your requests

Try out some of these tactics to keep your supporters motivated and your fundraising strong!

• Update Often. Don’t just send out asks, send out updates on your progress as well. Let your donors know when you’ve reach certain milestones, or if there has been an exciting update from the Red Cross. Consider updating the photos on your page as well, finding unique ways to show your progress
• Check your Progress. Check your fundraising page statistics regularly to understand what's working
• Use Deadlines. Work towards specific dates and milestones to create some urgency and rally support; donors can be more inclined to give if they know there’s an approaching deadline
• Thank Them. Be sure to personally thank your supporters, either by email, phone, eCards or in person; they want to know you appreciate them! Be sure to include an update on the campaign’s progress

$600 can provide financial assistance for a family impacted by a local disaster, like a home fire.This assistance helps a family purchase items immediately after a disaster, such as food, lodging, clothing and other critical needs. Here is a potential plan of how you can reach $600 through your network!

• Make a self-donation of $20 - $20
• Ask your significant other to donate $25 - $45
• Reach out to 3 close family members for $40 each - $165
• Ask your closest friend for $50, or two friends for $25 - $215
• Ask 5 co-workers for $10 each - $265
• Post a message on social media with a link to your page $150 - $415
• Send personal emails to your co-workers and extended professional network $100 - $515
• Reach out to your extended family for support $85 - $600!

Subject line: "Please Help Give Hope”

Dear {Name},

I'm emailing to let you know that I'm raising money for American Red Cross and it would mean so much to me if you could support my campaign with a donation.

Please Click Here {LINK TO YOUR FUNDRAISING PAGE} to give.

It'll take about ten seconds and any donation, large or small, is so appreciated.

Here are some quick facts about my cause ...{SOME INFO ABOUT YOUR CAUSE. THE MORE TANGIBLE THE CAUSE THE BETTER}

Again, to support my campaign please Go Here {LINK TO YOUR FUNDRAISING PAGE} and click on the Donate button.

Thanks so much for your support!

{NAME}

Subject Line: Spreading the word…

Dear {NAME},

I wanted to reach out and ask for some quick help. Spreading the word about American Red Cross is the single best way to help gain awareness and much needed money for my favorite cause.

So, I'm emailing everyone I know to ask them to share my fundraising page {INSERT LINK TO YOUR FUNDRAISING PAGE} with their friends and family.

A social media share on Facebook or Twitter, or an email to your closest friends would be great and help me so much.

If you're willing to share, can you please send everyone this link: {LINK TO YOUR FUNDRAISING PAGE} and ask them to check it out?

Thank you for your support! 

{NAME}

LAUNCH your campaign with this message:
I’m helping to support the relief efforts of the Red Cross by raising $200! Please join me by donating here {LINK TO YOU FUNDRAISING PAGE}. A $10 donation provides 1 hot meal and additional snacks to 1 person.

UPDATE your supporters with this message:
I’m close to reaching my goal of raising $200 to help @RedCross provide comfort and hope to those in need! Will you consider a gift to sponsor me and help me reach my goal? {LINK TO FUNDRAISING PAGE}

THANK a donor with this message:
Thank you {@nameofdonor} for donating to support me and this important cause! Together are making a difference to those in need.

ASK for more support with this message:
My fundraiser is ending soon– can you help me finish strong and reach my goal? Just $20 can provide breakfast, lunch, and dinner to a person in need. Please sponsor me and donate to: {LINK TO FUNDRAISING PAGE}.

CELEBRATE your successful campaign with this message:
We did it! With your support, I raised {$TOTAL} and contributed towards the helping of those who need it most. Together, we helped @RedCross deliver its mission of providing care and comfort to those in need.