The best fundraising tip is simply to be optimistic and excited – with a goal of helping to build a new children’s hospital, this should be easy!!!

People will respond to your passion and energy. With enthusiasm and a careful plan, raising the minimum or more can be easy. A simple plan will make it easier to acquire pledges. Here are some steps to help you begin:

1. Raising the Money is Not as Hard as it May Seem

Take a deep breath, and realize that meeting your fundraising goal is easier than you probably imagine. In the end, the event is not about the money. The event is about sharing your passion for children and their good health and passing that passion on to your friends, family and the community. Most of us have had the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital touch our lives in one way or another. Share your story with people, and the vast majority of the time, they will answer your request for support with a resounding, “Yes!”.

2. Start Fundraising Today

Start asking today, and you’ll reach your goal before you know it. It’s that simple. Begin making contact with everyone you know as soon as you register for Tour de Broward (tourdebroward.com). Some of your contacts may need to hear about your commitment to the event two or three times before it sinks in that you are serious and want their support.

3. Brainstorm and Make a List

Make an exhaustive list of everyone you know. Include everyone: family, friends, co-workers, schoolmates, local businesses, club members, politicians, hairdressers, gardeners, neighbors, your doctors, your dentist, and so on. Make it a goal to tell everyone on the list about your event and ask each person, company, or organization to support you. Remember, if you don’t ask, you are saying “no” for them. Often companies can match pledges, offer days off or other perks in exchange for donations. They can help to recruit new riders for the event. Local clubs or church groups can also be a huge help.

4. Set Your Goal

If your fundraising goal is $150, break it down into increments that are easy for you to accomplish. Ask 3 family members to contribute $25 each. Ask 4 co-workers and 3 neighbors to sponsor you at $10 each. Skip one lunch out and put in your own $5 – you have already reached your goal!! Our easy online fundraising guide helps you to reach out to friends, family and co-workers with a personalized web page that will track donations and sponsors as you work towards your goal.

5. Be creative With Your Fundraising Efforts

Kids can donate a portion of their weekly allowance. Set up challenges among your fellow team mates, classmates or co-workers. Get rid of unwanted clutter and make some money by hosting a garage sale benefiting your cause. Bake sales, car washes, lemonade stands, dress down days at work, are all fun and painless ways to reach your goal.

6. Follow-Up Is Important

Each of us has a favorite communication style. Some people prefer face-to-face conversations, while others prefer the phone, letters or e-mail. Start with whatever works best for you. But keep in mind that the less personal your initial contact is, the more important the follow-up becomes. Your contacts may have every intention of making a donation, but simply set the paper aside or let the email get lost in the inbox. Sending out a fundraising update is a fantastic way of reminding those friends and family that their support is still wanted and needed.

7. Ask With Confidence

Practice your “ask” before you start fundraising. You will be far more effective if you are straightforward. Never apologize about asking for money! Instead, follow a simple formula: Tell people WHAT you are doing, and WHY you are doing it. Tell them your fundraising goal, and ask for a specific amount of money. Then stop, and wait for their answer. Resist the urge to continue talking. Statements such as, “I understand if you can’t....” and “I know it’s a lot of money, so....” are more likely to lead to smaller donations. If someone can’t donate what you have asked for, they will tell you.

8. Say Thank You

Send everyone who makes a contribution a simple note of thanks. Think about also sending a photo of you at the event, and/or on a training update. The more you can include your supporters in your event experience, the more they will feel a part of the community, and the better they will feel about their role in the organization. It’s nearly impossible to say “thank you” too many times.