Fundraising can be fun and easy! Here are a few tips and ideas that will help you reach your goal (and maybe even surpass it)! Remember, most of your friends, family and colleagues already donate to nonprofit organizations and if you suggest an organization, like Habitat, about which you feel passionate, they'll catch your enthusiasm and want to support you and the Habitat mission. They'll be honored that you asked!
Create your personal fundraising page - Login at www.habitatbuildathon.org and click on the "I want to Participate" button!
Send Letters
Email or use snail mail and let your friends, family, colleagues, neighbors, local business, clubs, teams, congregation etc. know about why you are participating in the Build-a-Thon and how to support you in building safe, affordable, durable homes in our community!
Tell Your Story
Personalize all of your communications and share your excitement about participating in the Build-a-Thon with everyone you meet. The more you share the more EXCITEMENT you can BUILD!
Create a Slideshow/Movie
Include pictures and stories about the important work Habitat is doing in our community and why you are a part of this event. Post it on YouTube and send it to all of your contacts.
Throw a Party
Throw a theme party at your home, at your favorite local spot, at the bowling alley, or at church. Ask guests to make a donation to the Habitat Build-a-Thon. You can even ask your friends to ask THEIR friends to donate!
Invite Your Office
Make sure to share your story at work and invite your co-workers to participate or donate, and don't forget about company matching gifts!
In Lieu of Gifts
Do you have a special occasion coming up? Ask your loved ones to donate to Habitat in lieu of giving you a gift. There is no better way to honor you than to donate in your honor!
Garage/Craft/Bake Sale
Host a community event and donate all of the proceeds to Habitat. You'll exceed your fundraising goal faster than you can imagine!
Change Drive
Create "extra change" jars for your friends and family. At the end of every day ask them to add their pocket change to the jar, and donate the total to Habitat.
Post a Flyer
At work, at your place of worship, at your favorite local businesses and restaurants, at community centers etc. Spreading the word about the Build-a-Thon and your participation will help create affordable housing opportunities in our community.
Delegate
Ask your friends to participate. They can join your team and help you meet a team goal (even if they don't have time to volunteer right now), or they can send emails with the link to your website to all of THEIR contacts and help raise money for Habitat.
Signature Line
Add "Build-a-Thon Participant" in your signature line of emails and letters with the link to www.habitatbuildathon.org. You'll be surprised how many people will ask for more information and be excited about getting involved and supporting you.
Social Networking
Make sure to include your Build-a-Thon status updates on your social networking page(s). You could change your profile picture to the Build-a-Thon logo, send updates about your fundraising progress on a regular basis, and let people know that you are participating in the Build-a-Thon.
Worship Bulletin
Ask your place of worship to include the Build-a-Thon as an announcement in the weekly bulletin. Include the website www.habitatbuildathon.org for members who are interested in participating or supporting you.
Newsletters
Think of all of the newsletters (print and electronic) you receive. Ask worship to include the Build-a-Thon as an announcement in the weekly bulletin. Include the website www.habitatbuildathon.org for members who are interested in participating or supporting you.
BE CREATIVE! These are just a few ideas to get you started. There are lots of ways to spread the word, get others excited, and be successful.
