Emily's pick: My favorite fundraising tool.
I have loved hearing from families this past week what they are doing to fundraise for the Summit. Need some ideas to get started? Each Friday we'll be posting helpful fundraising ideas right here, so stay tuned. Here’s one to get you started.
GoFundMe
This fundraising platform is my favorite resource to share with families because it’s so easy! It doesn't require a financial commitment to get started like a lot of fundraisers do – just a computer, a heartfelt description of what you would gain from attending a Leadership Summit, and some creative personal thank you gifts.
Step 1 – Start: Go to www.GoFundMe.com to create your campaign.
Step 2 – Set your goal: Are you hoping to raise the full tuition or a portion of it? Do you need help with travel expenses? Factor everything in, set a dollar amount and work until you meet it!
Step 3 – Your pitch: When you write the description of your campaign, think about what potential donors would want to know about the program and why it’s important for you. Write about the awesome campus where you'll be staying. What are you most excited about? Were you nominated by a teacher? What do you hope to gain from attending? Essentially, how will their donation impact your life in a positive way?
Step 4 – Rewards: These are thank you gifts you will give people who contribute at a certain level. Your gifts don’t have to cost you money (that would be counterproductive to fundraising, wouldn’t it!). Get creative. A special thank you note, a hand-drawn picture, a shout-out on social media, a small souvenir from the campus – so long as it’s from the heart, people will appreciate it.
Step 5 – Share like crazy: After your campaign is published and ready to accept donations, SHARE SHARE SHARE! Post it on all of your social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and even Snapchat. You never know who might be able to make a donation. Once you've shared your campaign, get your family and friends to share it too! It's all about spreading the word.
Once the donations start coming in, don't forget to thank your sponsors to show your appreciation to the people who got you there.
There are many other online fundraising platforms out there. Research them carefully, as many require a minimum threshold to be met before you can take your hard earned funds.
Remember, YOU CAN DO IT! You have plenty of time to make it happen, especially if you start now.
Are you a superstar fundraiser? Let us know your ideas and you could be featured on our blog! Just email info@ambassadorleaders.com.
By Emily Hanson
Emily is the Program Coordinator at Ambassador Leaders. When you call or email us, you'll likely speak with Emily. She loves helping families find the perfect program for their student and hearing how confident and motivated they return home.