17th Heart & Sole
AIDS Walk '07
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Chase Palm Park Soccer Field,
Santa Barbara
Questions: 963-3636 ext. 121

Getting Sponsors

Fundraising is one of the most important activities in our culture today. If asking for donations seems daunting, here are some ideas to make it easy for you to raise the money you seek. It’s helpful to remember why you are asking for donations. Raising money for Pacific Pride Foundation by collecting sponsorships for the Heart & Sole AIDS Walk is giving people you know the opportunity to help those in Santa Barbara County infected, affected by or at risk for HIV/AIDS.

Here are a few ideas to consider as you and your team begin your fundraising efforts:

• MAKE A PLAN TOGETHER…Bring team members together to gather suggestions and set goals. Think BIG! Start by going through the Team Packet together. Discuss fundraising goals, pledge solicitation ideas, and ways to help each other.
• JUST ASK…Asking is the golden rule for any kind of fundraising. Ask a little, raise a little, ask a lot, raise a lot. Last year, Americans gave away over $243 billion to charity—75% was donated by individuals – people like your friends, your family, your co-workers. Most people you know want to support the activities you’re involved with. And remember, people are often flattered by being asked to contribute at higher levels – it means that they’re perceived as successful, important members of the community.
• SHARE THE WALK…Make a list of everyone you know – friends, relatives and associates. Many people want to be involved in the fight against AIDS but just don’t know how they can help. Each could sponsor you or maybe even join your team and get their own sponsors! The possibilities are endless – so do some brainstorming and you’ll discover how easy it is to recruit team sponsors.
• RECORD A WALK ANNOUNCEMENT AS PART OF THE MESSAGE ON YOUR CELL PHONE OR ANSWERING MACHINE...What a great excuse to let your phone go to voice mail instead of rushing to answer it!
• BROADCAST EMAILS…two years ago, a walker raised $400 just by sending out a groveling, begging email to her entire email list. People are glad to hear from you and if they don’t want to contribute, they can just ignore it. No worries.
• WALK IN MEMORY OF…a beloved friend, family member or co-worker. This can be one of the most powerful motivators for an individual or team. We all know someone living with HIV/AIDS or someone who has died of AIDS. Collect donations in memory of someone you love. Sponsors will appreciate your effort and are likely to give you their support.
• WRITE A LETTER…A personalized pledge letter sent to friends, family and acquaintances is a great way to start. Include a description of the Walk, who the Walk benefits (please use any information included in this packet), and personal account of why you feel it’s important to help people with AIDS. When you share YOUR reasons for walking, it personalizes your effort and potential sponsors will be moved by your story. One of our walkers has raised thousands of dollars by sending a letter each year to everyone he knows. One year he raised $4,300. This really works!
• WEAR YOUR BUTTON…By wearing your AIDS Walk button, you draw attention to your involvement in the Walk. This can help attract sponsors as well as people interested in being walkers themselves.
• GET ON THE PHONE…Raising dollars for the AIDS Walk is a great excuse to re-connect with old friends.
• SCHEDULE A HOUSE PARTY…house parties can be a powerful tool in raising pledges. Host a party or dinner on your own or together with friends. If you like, a speaker from Pacific Pride Foundation will attend and give a presentation about the Walk and the programs in Santa Barbara County it benefits. In fact, the speaker does the fundraising for you. It is not a hard sell but rather an opportunity for your guests to join you in making a difference in the lives of people with HIV/AIDS.
• CREATE AN AIDS WALK DISPLAY…Set up an AIDS Walk display at your work or at organizations you frequent. These displays can help involve others as sponsors or as additional walkers.
• INVOLVE YOUR OWN COMPANY…Provide the CEO and upper management with information on the Walk, including the company team you’re forming, and encourage them to help support your idea and team. Most businesses these days are supportive of community activity and other forms of outreach. It’s good for morale and business.

1. Give all your company’s staff or division the opportunity to participate, even upper management.
2. Ask management if you could slip a special note in the employee paychecks encouraging their participation or support in the company’s AIDS Walk team.
3. Encourage management to produce a team t-shirt or hat for each team member to wear at the Walk.
4. Offer employees the opportunity to donate to the AIDS Walk through a simple payroll deduction. This is a highly effective way to increase participation from all employees.
5. Ask about corporate matching: Your company may match the amount your team raises! Or think about someone who could match all your pledges.

• Think about people you know with money and how you can get a significant pledge from them.
• Think about people you know who own or manage a business who might sponsor you.
• Ask a person a day to sponsor you…
• REMEMBER TO SPONSOR YOURSELF!

Good Luck and Thank You!!!

Step Up! Step Out!

All Photos on this page Copyright © 2004 Sarah Glover; All Rights Reserved