HELP! HOW DO I FUNDRAISE?

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Fundraising can seem intimidating if you don't know where to start, but it's easier than you think to hit your goal. Asking people to support you means asking them to support Hospice of Southern Maine. Your loved ones will be moved by your commitment to support high-quality end-of-life care. 

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Here are some helpful tips for fundraisers:

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1. DONATE TO YOURSELF. 

Start off by making a small donation to yourself. It's a lot easier to ask friends and family for a donation when you can say, "Can you join me? I donated $20!"

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2. MAKE IT ALL ABOUT THEM!

Remind donors that their support will help provide compassionate, comfort-focused care through end of life. Let them know where their dollars go: 100% of funds raised are invested into programming at Hospice of Southern Maine. Explain to your friends and family how the work of Hospice of Southern Maine impacts them. Reinforce that every dollar donated helps and no donation is too small. 

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3. PERSONALIZE YOUR FUNDRAISING PAGE. 

Each participant has a unique fundraising page. You can personalize your page and share it with anyone you like, so, tell your story!

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Spend a few minutes adding a custom photo and a paragraph about why you're participating in Hike for Hospice. Explain your reasons for participating and why you joined this fun event. Then, share your page with friends, family, co-workers, and anyone else who might want to contribute.

 

And remember: On average customized pages get 20% more donations than pages with generic text. 

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4. AIM HIGH(ER)

Set a personal fundraising goal. Then double it! That will be the number you see on your fundraising page. If your goal is too low, people stop giving. If your goal is high, they will help you meet it. 

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5. EMAIL EVERYONE IN YOUR ADDRESS BOOK, EVEN THOSE YOU DON’T EXPECT TO GIVE.

You'll be surprised at who responds! Also make sure to email your request more than once. Send emails out to everyone in your contact list, let them know your fundraising goal and give them a link to your fundraising page. Check back frequently and send follow-up emails. 

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Remember: Email generates the lion’s share of all donations. We recommend asking once and sending a reminder about a week later. You will be amazed at how many people, not just close friends, will be excited to donate to your fundraising effort. 

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6. GET YOUR 15 MINUTES OF FAME

Consider using your computer camera or smart phone to record a one-minute video of yourself. Upload your video to YouTube, Facebook, or your Instagram account. Explain what your goal is and how people can help. Link it back to your fundraising page and share it far and wide.

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7. FACEBOOK & SOCIAL MEDIA

Not everyone uses Facebook, but if you do, it can be an enormous help. Do you tweet, use Instagram, or other social media? Make sure all your friends know about Hike for Hospice and your personal fundraising goal. The more you spread the word, the more success you’ll have. Post updates to your own page and tag Hospice of Southern Maine. 

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Note: Facebook is responsible for 90% of social donations. 

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8. MATCHING GIFTS

Many employers are willing to offer matching gifts for charitable events. Does your business have a matching gifts program? It never hurts to ask. Send your employer to the Hike for Hospice website – who knows? They might even want to become a sponsor!

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9. DO WHAT YOU DO BEST, AND BE CREATIVE!

We all have special skills. Tap into your best talents to support your fundraising. 

Invite your friends and family to join you, and make your fundraising goal a team effort! Remember – you are not asking for money for yourself – you are fundraising for Hospice of Southern Maine.  

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