Fundraising Tips

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A most effective means of fundraising is through FirstGiving. We will provide access for all individuals to create a personal fundraising page that can be shared with all your contacts through email, blogs and social media. Your contacts can donate safely and securely via credit card. You will not be collecting donations by cash or check. This makes it easier on you and us. We will send you details on creating your personal page through FirstGiving.

Here are a few suggestions for creating effective online fundraising page:

1. Personalize your page. Add a photo. Write a brief paragraph on what you are doing. Include information about the Tiger Gathering and the Zoë Foundation.

Introduction: Let people know what you’re doing. You are participating in a fundraising event for the Zoë Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to help save the tiger before extinction.

2. Be sure to add the following statement in your presentation.

Donations under $10 are 100% tax deductible. If you donate $10 or more, the donation is then not tax deductible because you (the sponsor) are getting one (1) entry into the Sponsors Only drawing, which the IRS considers a raffle. The IRS explicitly prohibits deducting the cost of raffle tickets as a charitable contribution.

3. Post your fundraising goal. The minimum is $200, but I recommend you post a much higher goal. It shows potential sponsors you are aiming high. There are some great incentives to exceed your $200 minimum. Check out the Trip Trigger. How much can your raise?

4. Make your personal sponsors aware that this fundraising event will help the Zoë Foundation promote awareness about the tiger’s fight for survival. You can provide the link to the foundation for your sponsors to review – www.ZoeTigers.org

Tell your sponsors the Tiger Gathering is a Guinness World Record attempt. Mention how much you want to participate in this event. You can also mention the Run for the Tiger 5K.

Tell your sponsors that for every $10 or more they donate they will get one (1) entry into a Sponsors Only drawing. Direct your sponsors to the Sponsors Only incentive page so they can review the drawing prizes – www.TigerGathering.com/sponsor-incentives/

Be creative! Bake a sponsor a pie. Offer to cut their yard or weed their garden.

5. Link your fundraising page to all of your social networking sites.

Spread the Word

Once your personal page is set up through FirstGiving, you are going to want to share that link with everyone you know! The fastest and easiest way to start is to send out an email to everyone in your address book. You may also consider sending snail mail letters to your holiday card list.

Make Your Correspondence Great!

Express what a great cause you’re supporting. The request for a donation is really important. Make sure you specifically ASK for help reaching your goal by ASKING for a donation.

Tell your sponsors how to donate. Provide them the link to your personal donation page at FirstGiving.

Include a personal fundraising deadline so people don’t put off donating.

Thank each sponsor very much for their help.

Methodology

Email is the fastest way to get your online fundraising website out to all your family and friends. It is also the tool of choice for sending event updates and reminder emails.

Since you will not be taking cash, checks, or money orders, using snail mail may not be as effective. Your sponsors will have to go online anyway to donate. However, a personal letter can be an effective way to show a sponsor how serious you are about reaching your goal.  

Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and Blogging

Social media is a great way to self promote! Connect with people who you would normally not be in regular contact with and let them know you are fundraising. Your personal FirstGiving page will have an easy way to broadcast your message to your contacts.

Use your Facebook status update with your website link.

Tweet your web link to let people know what you are doing.

Start a fan page on Facebook and invite all of your “friends” to be a fan. Be sure to include your fundraising page link on your fan page and send out periodic updates.

You can also start a blog that chronicles your efforts to help set a Guinness World Record and save the tiger!

Who do you know?

A successful fundraising campaign depends on asking everyone you know for support. Start with your email contacts, address book, cell phone numbers, holiday card lists, wedding invitations, or party invite lists. Think about everyone that your life and ask him or her to make a donation. If you spend money someplace regularly like the dry cleaner, salon, child care, dog walker…don’t be afraid to let them know you’re fundraising. They value your business! Who is on your list?