Online Fundraising Toolkit Providing free prevention and care services to end HIV in San Francisco.
1 Welcome 6 How to be a fundraising superstar 2 3 4 5 Why fundraise? Your fundraising dollars at work Fundraising getting started Fundraising on social media 7 Questions? Contact us SAN FRANCISCO AIDS FOUNDATION 2
Welcome Thank you for signing up to fundraise for San Francisco AIDS Foundation. As a fundraiser, you make our community stronger and healthier. Your support helps us to continue the life-saving work and services that prevent HIV transmission and support those living with the disease. From all of us at San Francisco AIDS Foundation, thank you. SAN FRANCISCO AIDS FOUNDATION 3
Why fundraise? San Francisco AIDS Foundation was founded in 1982 as a grassroots community response to the AIDS epidemic and its impact in San Francisco. Now, more than three decades later, we are one of the most highly respected and influential AIDS organizations in the United States. Each year, more than 16,000 clients come to the foundation to access our free programs and services, and an additional 2 million people access our online resources for up-to-date information on HIV prevention, treatment, and care. The foundation s mission is to end the transmission of HIV in San Francisco and improve access to care through education, advocacy, and direct services in communities most vulnerable to the disease. We are proud to offer all of our programs at no cost to our clients through the generous support of our many community partners and individual donors. We believe that San Francisco can be the first U.S. city to end the HIV epidemic. With your help, we can achieve that goal. SAN FRANCISCO AIDS FOUNDATION 4
Your < Copy fundraising and paste colored dollars headline bar at here work > Your gift(s) to San Francisco AIDS Foundation help us provide the following essential services for prevention and care. $5,000 can help keep our mobile testing unit rolling for one year so that 2,400 gay, bi and transmen can be tested and counseled. $2,500 can help four people living with HIV receive safe and stable housing situations for one month. $1,000 can help provide two Positive Force community forums where 150 men can learn more about HIV and how to live better and longer with HIV. $500 can help 15 people receive medical benefits counseling to obtain prescription drug assistance. $250 can help provide ten Rapid HIV Antibody test to test ten people. $175 can help provide case management for 15 HIV-positive clients who are homeless or at-risk for homelessness. $150 can help provide 1,000 syringes through the street-based Syringe Access Service. $100 can help provide the travel cost for a Treatment Advocacy Coordinator to attend the medical appointments of 25 clients, providing moral support and to help clients advocate for themselves. $25 can help a Financial Benefits counselor to assist one person in navigating the private and public benefits systems, including Medi-Cal, Medicare, CARE/HIPP, short-term disability, and Social Security. $10 can help provide 143 condoms to our clients at all of our service sites. SAN FRANCISCO AIDS FOUNDATION 5
Fundraising getting started Step 1: Set a goal Setting a goal that is attainable is important. Our statistics reveal that the average donation to a fundraiser is $53 and each fundraiser received an average of 15 gifts. That s $795 raised per fundraiser on average! The first step is to make a list of people you plan to ask to donate to your campaign. Remember to include people from all aspects of your life including your friends, family, coworkers, school, clubs, volunteer groups, church, neighbors, and businesses. When you start writing the names down, you ll be surprised to see how many people are in your network. Do you think you can secure 10 gifts? 15 gifts? 20 gifts? Be realistic and optimistic. More people than you think will support you and the cause. SAN FRANCISCO AIDS FOUNDATION 6
Fundraising getting started Step 2: Personalize your Fundraising Webpage Personalize your fundraising page through your Participant Center. Data shows that people who update their fundraising page with personal information generally raise 3-4 times as much as those who leave the generic information. Make sure to add a picture and a link to your Facebook event page. A personal story about your connection to the mission will help your donors feel engaged and connected to the cause. Step-by-step instructions: 1. Visit your Fundraising Page and login to your account 2. Select the Personal Page tab on the menu 3. Edit your fundraising page title and add your story to the text 4. Upload a picture by clicking the Photos/Video link on the right 5. When you re done, click Save. Click Preview to see your lovely page. Copy the link in the preview screen to share via email and social media. SAN FRANCISCO AIDS FOUNDATION 7
Fundraising getting started Step 3: Create a Facebook event Create an event and invite your network to support you. Step 4: Make a personal donation Take a moment to kick start you fundraising effort by making a personal donation to yourself. Making a donation to your own fund will show your donors that you are serious about the cause and you ve made a personal commitment to your fundraising effort. SAN FRANCISCO AIDS FOUNDATION 8
Fundraising getting started Step 5: Ask for donations Your fundraising webpage not only helps you track your fundraising, we ve also included some useful tools to help you along the way. Use any of the email templates we ve provided to send emails to your contact list. Our top fundraisers send a minimum of 15 emails from their fundraising webpage. Step-by-step instructions: 1. Go to your fundraising webpage and log in to your account 2. Select the Email tab on the menu 3. Upload your email list using the Contacts link 4. Write your letter and a link to your personal fundraising page will appear at the bottom of your email. This will direct donors straight to your page. SAN FRANCISCO AIDS FOUNDATION 9
Fundraising getting started Step 6: Share your personal page URL on Facebook and twitter Let your social media community know about your commitment to raise funds for HIV/AIDS programs in the Bay Area. You may be surprised by the number of donations you receive from your online community! Step-by-step instructions: 1. Copy your personal page URL and paste it on Facebook and Twitter. 2. A simple post will help your network find their way to your Personal Page. Here s some sample text: I ve committed to raise funds for HIV/AIDS programs in the Bay Area. Help me reach my goal by donating to my personal fundraising campaign. We ve found that direct asks garner the most donations. Here are some tips: Direct asks demonstrate your passion for ending HIV/AIDS. Tell your personal story that will interest your donor. Offer a dollar range instead of asking for a general gift. It s OK to let others do the asking for you. Spouses, moms, dads, and grandparents can be compelling champions for you. SAN FRANCISCO AIDS FOUNDATION 10
Fundraising getting started Step 7: Follow up and say thank you Your first email to your network shouldn t be your last. Send a follow-up email, text, or Facebook message to those that didn t respond. Some people might need to be nudged a few times to remember to donate. Don t forget to say thank you to those who have joined you in supporting you. Here s a list of creative ways to thank your donors: Send a personal email Send a handwritten note Send a photo or a link to your event photos Post a social media shout out Make a personal phone call Send an e-card SAN FRANCISCO AIDS FOUNDATION 11
Fundraising on social media Try some of these social media ideas to increase your fundraising success. Sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Flickr, and YouTube are valuable resources for spreading the word about your fundraising campaign. Sample Tweets: I m raising funds for @SFAIDSFound. Support my campaign at [insert your personal page url] #dolsf Help me raise funds for @SFAIDSFound [insert your personal page url] #sfaf Sample Facebook posts: Help me raise funds for @San Francisco AIDS Foundation. Donate to my personal fundraising page [insert your personal page url] #sfaf Support me and @San Francisco AIDS Foundation Donate to my personal fundraising page and help me reach my goal [insert your personal page url] #sfaf Share a video Record your own video to let your community know why our mission matters to you. Remember to include a link to your personal fundraising page when you post the video. Post a photo Take a photo of yourself and show what you are doing for your campaign. Add a caption with a link to your personal fundraising page when you post on Facebook, Instagram, or Flickr. SAN FRANCISCO AIDS FOUNDATION 12
How < Copy to and be paste a colored fundraising headline bar superstar here > Here is a list of creative ways to take your fundraising to the next level. Host a Raffle Online or at a Restaurant Have an item you can donate to your fundraiser? A raffle with a restaurant gift certificate, bottle of wine, or concert tickets can be a good way to raise money online. Send Handwritten Invitations and Thank You Cards Let your network know that you are serious about your commitment to raising funds. Nothing says you care more than a handwritten note. Invite Your Office to Join You Your coworkers might enjoy supporting you, right? Let them know you are rasing funds for a good cause. Host a Bake Sale at Work Everyone loves baked goods - especially for a good cause. Explore Your Employer s Matching Gift Program Double your donations through a matching gift program! Contact your company s Human Resources department to find out if they will match charitable gifts. SAN FRANCISCO AIDS FOUNDATION 13
Questions? Contact us Events Team Contact Information: Emily Fahey Associate Director of Events (415) 487-3072 efahey@sfaf.org Melanie Woods Senior Events Associate (415) 487-3114 mwoods@sfaf.org SAN FRANCISCO AIDS FOUNDATION 14
sfaf.org 1035 Market Street, Suite 400 San Francisco, CA 94103 SAN FRANCISCO AIDS FOUNDATION 15