Fundraising 1.1: eFundraising Basics
Thank you for participating in the GSAF SUMMER FUNDRAISER!!
Checklist for eFundraising
Send Your First Email Blast
Example Email/Letter:
Dear ________,
35 years ago I attended California Girls State as a delegate from El Segundo High School. It was an honor I couldn’t quite understand, but I made the most of the experience. I was voted Most Outstanding Citizen of my city by my peers, not because I won any big elections, but because I was me. Girls State was the first time I had met girls of different races, religions, and socio economic backgrounds. We discussed a myriad of topics and debated our beliefs. At Girls State I could be me without being teased or belittled for being too tall, too skinny, or too weird. I could be smart and goofy, and I could have a voice. It was like Utopia.
A little over ten years later I became involved in Girls State again, returning to join the counseling team. I got to see Girls State from a different side, and see other girls grow and change and find their voices. I have continued to be part of this amazing program, taking on roles of leadership. I served for 5 years as Chief Counselor, and just finished a two-year stint as Director. Serving as Director I saw first hand the cost of this program. I was responsible for a budget of about $230,000, a staff of 65, and 500+ delegates. The delegates pay $50, and the rest is raised through a variety of means. Units will even cover that for girls from low-income families, and in most cases fundraise to cover the cost of transportation to the program - this ensures that Girls State is truly a meritocracy, where delegates can participate regardless of socio-economic background.
I am a volunteer, and have continued to work for this program because I love it, and I love what we do. We jokingly say, “Changing lives. It’s what we do” to each other, but the truth is, that we do change lives. We help young women leaders become stronger. We help them experience a sisterhood where we lift each other up, not tear each other down. We help them find their voice and use it. I feel good about that.
I mentioned before that this program costs about $230,000 each year, and costs continue to rise. I am asking for your help to keep this amazing program going. You may make a tax-deductible donation of any amount to the Girls State Alumnae Foundation, which supports and promotes the American Legion Auxiliary's California Girls State Program and its alumnae.I have pledged to raise at least $1,000, but hope to raise closer to $5,000.
I can’t do it without your help. Please go to http://www.cagsaf.org/donate.html and make a donation today.
I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Val
P.S. If your company does corporate matching gifts, let me know. Please pass this on to others would be interested in supporting young women who will be the leaders of tomorrow.
Follow Up & Thank You
Sending follow-up emails, letters, and calls to your donors is one of the most important components of a successful fundraising plan. Don’t be surprised if you have to follow up 3-4 times with your donors until you receive a donation. Don’t get discouraged and don’t think you are a pest – chances are they were busy and forgot.
Checklist for eFundraising
- Be sure to follow the social media tips (Fundraising 102)
- Update your status on Facebook, Twitter, etc. and include the GSAF page where they can donate via PayPal or check http://www.cagsaf.org/donate.html.
- Send out your first fundraising e-mail to friends and family. Ask donors in your e-mail to let you know if their company has matching grants – it’s a great way to double the donation!
- Create a Facebook fundraiser or Instagram fundraiser (choose a photo, add fundraiser and select alacagirlsstate as the recipient) and set a goal!
- Update your social status again and again! You’d be surprised how many people respond to status updates by donating.
- Include different personal stories, pictures, or donation goals in your status and always include the donation link
- Follow-up reminders. Sending weekly follow-up emails and calls to your donors is one of the most important components of a successful fundraising plan.
- Say thank you! It’s important to acknowledge donors with a personal thank you email and/or Facebook shout-out.
Send Your First Email Blast
- Include everyone on your mailing list! Friends, family, coworkers, old schoolmates, etc. Even if you haven’t been in contact with them in recent years, include them!
- Send individual messages rather than mass e-mails to increase response. Use mail merge to personalize if you have a stock message.
- Include your personal Girls State story and the who, what, where, when, why, and a call to action (ask for the donation!).
- Also include the mission of Girls State Alumnae Foundation and make it clear donors are giving to GSAF in order to support Girls State.
- Include date by which you want your donors to give - Bold this to make sure it stands out.
- Use a catchy subject line such as “Empowering women leaders of tomorrow” “Support. Connect. Empower.” “Support Girls State-Change Lives!”
- Ask your donors to forward on your email to those who may also want to support your cause
- Time your mailing - Send emails as early in the day and early in the week as possible. People pay most attention to emails on Tuesday morning.
- Add your donation page to your automatic email signature. You will reach out to people you didn’t even think of asking, and it’s a great friendly reminder to those who have not donated yet. Example: “I’m raising funds for California’s Girls State Alumnae Foundation to empower the next generation of women leaders. Please help! You can donate to at: [insert link]”
Example Email/Letter:
Dear ________,
35 years ago I attended California Girls State as a delegate from El Segundo High School. It was an honor I couldn’t quite understand, but I made the most of the experience. I was voted Most Outstanding Citizen of my city by my peers, not because I won any big elections, but because I was me. Girls State was the first time I had met girls of different races, religions, and socio economic backgrounds. We discussed a myriad of topics and debated our beliefs. At Girls State I could be me without being teased or belittled for being too tall, too skinny, or too weird. I could be smart and goofy, and I could have a voice. It was like Utopia.
A little over ten years later I became involved in Girls State again, returning to join the counseling team. I got to see Girls State from a different side, and see other girls grow and change and find their voices. I have continued to be part of this amazing program, taking on roles of leadership. I served for 5 years as Chief Counselor, and just finished a two-year stint as Director. Serving as Director I saw first hand the cost of this program. I was responsible for a budget of about $230,000, a staff of 65, and 500+ delegates. The delegates pay $50, and the rest is raised through a variety of means. Units will even cover that for girls from low-income families, and in most cases fundraise to cover the cost of transportation to the program - this ensures that Girls State is truly a meritocracy, where delegates can participate regardless of socio-economic background.
I am a volunteer, and have continued to work for this program because I love it, and I love what we do. We jokingly say, “Changing lives. It’s what we do” to each other, but the truth is, that we do change lives. We help young women leaders become stronger. We help them experience a sisterhood where we lift each other up, not tear each other down. We help them find their voice and use it. I feel good about that.
I mentioned before that this program costs about $230,000 each year, and costs continue to rise. I am asking for your help to keep this amazing program going. You may make a tax-deductible donation of any amount to the Girls State Alumnae Foundation, which supports and promotes the American Legion Auxiliary's California Girls State Program and its alumnae.I have pledged to raise at least $1,000, but hope to raise closer to $5,000.
I can’t do it without your help. Please go to http://www.cagsaf.org/donate.html and make a donation today.
I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Val
P.S. If your company does corporate matching gifts, let me know. Please pass this on to others would be interested in supporting young women who will be the leaders of tomorrow.
Follow Up & Thank You
Sending follow-up emails, letters, and calls to your donors is one of the most important components of a successful fundraising plan. Don’t be surprised if you have to follow up 3-4 times with your donors until you receive a donation. Don’t get discouraged and don’t think you are a pest – chances are they were busy and forgot.
- Call/text your donor to remind them, then follow up with an email! Statistics show that participants will receive an 80% response rate if they make reminder calls to their donors followed by an email.
- Revisit your donor network! Did you leave anyone off the list because you thought they wouldn't donate? Add them to the list and email them!
- Thank donors as you find out you got a donation via email, text, phone call, and/or Facebook post. If you don't acknowledge your donors right away, they'll feel unappreciated.
- Thank you notes are also great - Keep a box of stationery or cards handy so you can hand-write a note and mail it. Make sure to include GSAF’s Tax ID number 20-3187027.