It may sound a cliché, but it’s important for everyone to keep the ‘fun’ in fundraising. We’ve come up with some tips that will help you to raise as much as you possibly can for Burnet. To make things even easier, we’ll be sending you our simple fundraising kit.
The Burnet Institute are doing some incredible work, finding cures and preventative measures to put a STOP to The Big Three – HIV, TB and malaria – the world’s biggest killers.
- 33 million people live with HIV (that’s 1 ½ times the population of Australia)
- Someone in the world is newly infected with TB every second
- Did you know, a child dies of malaria every 30 seconds?
Every cent you raise will make a Big difference. Our scientists and public health professionals will be able to continue their remarkable work towards eradicating The Big Three, and making the world a healthier place.
And remember, all prizes awarded on the day will go to the riders who go out of their way to help Burnet, so it’s win win all round!
Some TOP TIPS to make fundraising as easy as pie:
Shout about it! Let the world know what you are doing and why!
It may sound simple, but it’s true - 'If you don't ask you don't get!'
- Set a target to give you something to work towards
- Don't be daunted by the total; break it down into manageable chunks such as $100 at a time.
- Use our fundraising kit; it’s there to help you raise as much $$ as possible
- If you don't ask for sponsorship no one will give it to you.
- Make it easy for people to sponsor you
- Remind donors that all donations over $2 are fully tax deductible
- Use your Rider Profile Page to direct donors to make a simple online donation
- Make yourself available and always return calls from people you have contacted
Whatever your approach, and it is likely that you will use a mixture of the approaches outlined below, the cardinal rule is to always follow up.
- Call
- Call again
- Stop by and see your potential donors personally
- Ask if they need any more information
- Always thank sponsors, it’s amazing the difference a thank you can make.
Let all your sponsors know how the ride went and show them pictures of your stunning trip through the Rainforest.
Timing
Give yourself plenty of time. Leaving fundraising to the last minute could lead to you missing out on reaching your fundraising target – and the all important Top Spot on the fundraising ladder.
Approaching an employer
Asking your employer to sponsor you can be a great way for them to get exposure on the day and for you to get some big sponsorship bucks.
Employers will often offer to match whatever other fundraising you manage to get, so get sweet-talking!
If you are approaching your employer make sure that you present your ideas in an organised and professional manner, detailing:
- The Ride
- Information on the Burnet and the great work we do
- What benefits there are to the company in question (eg you could wear a company jersey on the ride)
- Ask to be included on your employer’s website and newsletter.
Service/Rotary Clubs
Service Clubs such as the Lions or Rotary Clubs can be good places to approach for sponsorship and they may well invite you to come and talk about the ride. Expect to talk for about 15-20 minutes and use visual aids where appropriate, to illustrate your points and the cause you are supporting.
Friends and Family
Where possible, delegate. Never underestimate the value of friends and volunteers. They will have another set of contacts to you, different skills and enthusiasm.
The Internet
Each rider has their own Rider Profile page so use it! It’ll show your supporters why you’re fundraising, let them leave messages of support and give them a quick and easy way to ‘click to donate’.
Thank you’s
Keep a detailed record of everybody that has supported you so that they can all be thanked. Let them know how the ride went and how much it raised in total.
A sample fundraising plan
Fundraising Target $3000
Week 1
Sponsor yourself = $50 (note this isn’t tax deductible)
Send out at least 25 letters to friends and family asking for $25 = $625
Start a fruit box at work for a gold coin donation.
Result: Only $2325 to go……
Week 2
Follow up on sponsorship letters
Plan a fundraising party with at least 30 people at local pub, host a quiz night and charge $20 per head = $600
Get three of your company's suppliers to sponsor you $50 = $150
Result: Only $1575 to go….
Week 3
Ask four family members to sponsor you $25 = $100
Ask eight work mates to sponsor you $25 = $200
Ask four neighbours to sponsor you $25 = $100
Speak to your employer’s human resources department and persuade them to ‘match your fundraising’.
Result: Only $1175 to go….
Week 4
Organise a barbeque/ cheese and wine evening and charge $25 per head for 30 people taking out $5 per head costs = $600
Result: Only $575 to go….
Week 5
Yard Sale = $300
Result: only $275 to go….
Week 6
Collect contributions from the fruit box you set up at work in Week 1 = $240
Result: only $35 to go….
Week 7
Have a swear box at work = $35
Result: $000000 to go…….
Week 8
Remind your employer that they were going to match you fundraising
Wow, $6000 raised!!!
Some other ideas to boost your fundraising:
- Jail breakout challenge - workmates must get as far away from work as possible within a day or a weekend. They are sponsored for every kilometre - provided they stay within the law and don't spend any money
- Car boot sale
- Out tray sale. We've had car boot and garage sales, why not stock your out tray with the trinkets you don't want anymore? Someone else may love those earrings!
- Produce a monthly A3 quiz and sell it for $1.
- Have a dress down day at work or at your local school.
- Sell your services for a day to iron, clean, cook, dog walk.
- Organise a 5-aside netball, cricket or sports match. Charge each team an entry fee, sell refreshments and run a sweepstake at the same time.
- Run an auction of promises. Contact your friends and see what they can offer: babysitting, washing, hairdressing, gardening, photography, decorating, the list can go on and on.
- Spot the baby. Embarrassment guaranteed when you collect everyone's baby photos. Charge people $1 to guess their identities.
- Sponsored swim, run, diet, shave, leg wax - old fashioned they may be but they work.
- Cycle or walk to work for two months and put the money you would otherwise spend on transport towards your fundraising- and reduce pollution at the same time!
- Hold a bad taste day at work- the worst shirt, tie or dress wins a bottle of champagne, or to continue the theme, the cheapest most revolting bottle of sparkling wine you can find!
- Invite your supporters to a themed evening - a night of Indian, Chinese or Mexican, where you provide the food (in keeping with your theme of course), attendees bring a bottle of wine, and you charge $25 with $5 to cover the cost of the food.
- Sponsored lunch run - offer to pop out and buy lunch for your colleagues. At 50cents a go, five lunches a day will raise over $50 in a month.
- A birthday card amnesty - get your friends to send you a small donation instead of a card or present.
- A cake sale at work every Friday - make a regular thing of it, so your work mates can plan ahead.
- The cake divide - bake or buy your cake, divide it into eight slices and sell them at 50cents a shot. In six months you'll have raised over $100, and won the undying love of your workmates!
- Demure day - you undertake not to swear, use vulgarity, innuendo or indulge in raucous cackling for one whole day. Set a day and publicise it well in advance. Appoint an independent arbiter to monitor your performance/s. If you lapse - no cash!
- Sponsored stairs. Work in a high-rise building? Get workmates to sponsor you to use the stairs instead of the lift for a set period.
Remember all donations over $2 are tax deductible, as long as the person making the donation is not getting something in return.