#1million4OCD Fundraising Toolkit

What you'll find in this toolkit:

• Key Tips for Fundraising
• Ten Ways to Raise $100
• Facebook Tips
• Twitter Tips
• Email and Letter Templates

Key Tips for Fundraising:

• Set a Fundraising and Walking Goal! Once you've registered for the walk (go here, if you still need to sign up), you will have instant access to powerful fundraising tools, including your personal fundraising webpage, to make your fundraising campaign a success. Then make sure you set a goal — both for how much $ you plan to raise, and how many steps you plan to take. Remember, you’re raising money for a cause you care about. Push yourself to raise more than you ever thought you could.
• Make It Personal. People will donate because YOU are asking them to. Simple as that. Be sure to update your personal fundraising webpage with your story and why you are supporting the IOCDF. Share your passion with your friends, family, co-workers and other potential donors. It’s a critical part of your fundraising success.
  
• Use Our Online Fundraising Tools. By officially registering online you will have access to your own personal fundraising webpage and sample letters, emails and Facebook posts.
  
• Send emails and mail personal letters. Use a combination of emails and personal letters for your donation requests. Your fundraising page allows you to email your donors and will return instant results, but sending a good old-fashioned hand-written note to certain donors shows a personal touch.
  
• Follow Up. It’s very common for people to put things off. We all live busy lives. A little reminder never hurts anyone. Don’t hesitate to follow-up with a phone call or reminder email. People want to support you, they just need to be asked.
  
• Remember Your Inspiration. There’s a reason why you’re supporting the IOCDF. Make sure to bring that same energy to your fundraising efforts. The more personal you can make it the better!

Ten ways to raise $100

1. Make the first pledge yourself. Consider donating $10, $20, or $50 or more to get the ball rolling.
   
2. Ask your “significant other” for $10.
   
3. Ask your boss for $10.
   
4. Ask a friend for $10.
   
5. Ask a co-worker for $10.
   
6. Ask a neighbor for $10.
   
7. Ask a relative for $10.
   
8. Ask your fellow bookclub members, sports team members, workout buddy, or other acquantainces for $10.
   
9. Double your donation! Ask your employer about a matching gift. It’s as simple as filling out a form from your employer and sending it to the IOCDF.
   
10. Ask someone who has previously asked you to support their cause to consider donation $10 now to your cause.

Facebook Tips:

  

• Change your profile picture to the IOCDF Walk Badge (use our Walk Calculator and Virtual Badge Creator here).


• Add a link to your FirstGiving fundraising webpage to EVERY message you post about the walk, so that your friends can easily access your page to donate or register to walk.


• When somebody sponsors you, thank them publicly by writing on their Facebook wall and/or “tagging” them in a thank you message posted on your own wall. This not only lets that donor know how grateful you are for their kind donation, but also inspires others to donate!


• Have fun and make it personal. Telling a story and posting pictures is a great way to get your friends to support your Walk.


• If you have walk teammates on Facebook or Twitter, post comments that help create some healthy competition. See who can be the top fundraiser on your walk team!

Here are some examples of status updates you could post to your wall:

Thank you post – after receiving donations:

Progress to fundraising goal post:

Fundraising Goal Hit!

Sample Team Post:

Thank you message in the week after the Race:

Twitter Tips:

• Change your profile picture to the IOCDF Walk Badge (use our Walk Calculator and Virtual Badge Creator).


• Be sure to use our walk hashtag whenever you tweet about the walk or your fundraising efforts. The hashtag is #1Million4OCD. And don’t forget to include a link to your personal fundraising page!


• Use twitter to update your followers on your walk progress. For example, if you are participating in the virtual walk, and are walking 1 mile every day, let everyone know how many steps you have taken towards your goal.


• You can also help us raise awareness about OCD by tweeting facts about the disorder, along with a link your fundraising page.

Some sample tweets:

Email and Letter Template — Reach out to your personal contacts:

Send a letter or email to your family members and friends to request a donation. Here is a letter template that you can use to get started:

Dear _______,

I’m writing to ask for your support for a very special cause—I just signed up to participate in the 1 Million + Steps 4 OCD Awareness Walk.

(You can use the general paragraph below, or you can personalize this and talk about your own experiences with OCD, and why this cause is so important to you)

Many people believe that obsessive compulsive disorder, or OCD, is just a personality quirk. It is possible that even you may have thought OCD was just about hand-washing or being neat. In reality, it is a debilitating disorder causing severe anxiety that, for many, can interfere significantly with day-to-day functioning. About 1 in 100 Americans has OCD, yet, people with OCD and other disorders are often afraid or ashamed to ask for help. In fact, some studies have shown that only 1 in 3 individuals with OCD will tell their medical provider about their OCD symptoms.

The International OCD Foundation is the world’s leading donor-supported foundation, with the mission to help people with OCD to live full and productive lives. The Foundation’s aim is to increase access to effective treatment, end the stigma associated with mental health issues, and foster a community for those affected by OCD and the professionals who treat them.

I’m asking you to help support my walk efforts by making a donation. Your tax-deductible gift will help make a difference in the lives of so many people.

I plan to raise at least $_______ to support the IOCDF. I know I can do this with your support! Would you please consider making a donation? Visit my fundraising web page at (link here) to learn more and make a contribution. You can also mail a donation using the address below. Checks should be made payable to the International OCD Foundation.

Thank you in advance for your time and generosity.

Sincerely,

Your Name

PS: Want to double your donation? Find out if your employer has a matching gift program.

Learn more about the International OCD Foundation at www.iocdf.org and www.iocdf.org/walk