Fundraising Tips
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The Hudson River Swim For Life has 2 components to it; training and fundraising. There is a $375 fundraising minimum for swimmers. This fundraising minimum must be met either before or on the day of the event in order to participate.Kayakers and volunteers are also encouraged to raise donations.
Many employers sponsor matching gift programs and will match any charitable contributions made by their employees. To find out if your company has a matching gift policy, please check out http://www.matchinggifts.com/lls/.
Set-up your own webpage!
Setting up your own swim fundraising page is a quick and simple way to raise funds! Once you register online you will receive a confirmation e-mail with your username and password. Use this info. to login to your fundraising website, http://wch.swimforlife.llsevent.org. Just hit ‘Login To My Account’ to get started. Next go to ‘Fundraising Control Panel’ and then ‘Personal Website.’ You can set a goal, post pictures and write up your own message. Then just e-mail all of your friends. It’s that easy!
New!! "Paper Swim Cap Partnership
Stores sell "paper swim caps" during a four to six week period of choice. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society provides the initial stock of the paper swim caps and replenishes as necessary. Paper swim caps can be sold to customers for a $1 donation. Click here to download the form. You can request paper swim cap icons for a specific store or just ask for a general amount for yourself to use as a fundraising tool. Download proposal.
Try A Letter Writing Campaign!
Everyone likes getting mail, as long as it aren’t bills! Write up a short and personal letter that explains why you are participating in The Hudson River Swim For Life. Mail them to your friends and family and enclose a self
addressed envelope, so they can mail their donations back to you. Just watch as the donations roll in!
Party Ideas
What better excuse to have a party! Possible themes include:
Gourmet Dinner Party:
Treat your guests to the finest cooking, or the finest your local restaurants have to offer.
Ethnic Food Sampler:
Let your friends sample the best from Italy, Greece, Mexico, China, etc
Happy Hour:
Contact your local hang-out and ask them to let you host an after work happy hour one night. Charge an admission at the door for an open bar or for drink specials and food. Hold a 50/50 raffle during the party and watch your dollars add up!
Progressive Feast:
Ask your neighbors to commit to provide one stage of the meal at their homes (e.g. cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, dinner dessert and night cap).
Wine Tasting Party:
Contact your local wine shop to see if they can provide a wine expert. Consider an auction/raffle for a bottle of premium wine.
Take Your Goal To Work
Your co-workers and/or company can be a wonderful source of support. Consider forming a fundraising campaign team within your workplace and conduct events throughout the training period.
Dress Down Day:
This is a great promotion for those people who work in a formal office environment. For a donation of $5, or more, an individual has the “company OK” to dress down for one day.
Pizza Party:
Ask your local pizza shop to donate a few pies for a company lunch. Charge co-workers a lunch fee (what they would typically pay for lunch).
Company Silent Auction:
Ask co-workers to bring in an item or two they have “laying around the house.” Set up a silent auction table at work and let it run for a day or two.
Matching Gift Program:
If your company has a matching gift plan, take advantage of it. Just ask your HR Department. Don’t forget to ask your fr
iends if they can get their donations matched where they work as well.
Sell Something
What do you have that people may want to buy? “One man’s junk is another
man’s treasure!” Consider…
Yard Sale:
Team up with neighbors or co-workers
Bake Sale:Works well at the workplace and at church.
Fee for Service
Car Wash:
A good way to cool off on a hot day while raising funds!
Handyman Service:
Organize a handyman (or handywoman) service team and spend a Saturday doing odds and ends for for a fee, of course.
Door-to-Door Campaign
Spend a Saturday/Sunday meeting your neighbors-let them know what you are doing and ask for their support.
Store Front Collection
Ask your local grocery store or bank if you can spend a Saturday asking patrons to support your efforts. (Be sure to get permission).
Set your sights high and develop a plan to get you there.
Think outside the box and have fun!!
Call Diandra at 914-949-0084, ext 8993 for more ideas or to share your success stories!
GOOD LUCK!!!