TeamFORCE Fundraising Guide

Since 1999, FORCE has provided trusted information, support, advocacy and research opportunities to people and families affected by hereditary cancer, at no cost to those who need them.

When you raise money for FORCE, you join TeamFORCE: a community of volunteers and supporters who make sure no one faces hereditary cancer alone. Your fundraising helps more people reach these resources, and it lets you share a mission that matters to you.

Here is the best part. You do not need fundraising experience. When you share your story and invite others to support FORCE, you make a real difference.

Why People Give

People rarely give just because they are asked. They give because they care about someone, because they have been affected themselves, because a story moves them or because they want to help. You already know what FORCE means to the hereditary cancer community. When you share how and why FORCE matters to you, you give other people a reason to join you.

Every dollar counts. The funds you raise keep FORCE programs free for the hereditary cancer community. Whether you raise $50 or $5,000, your effort helps FORCE deliver trusted support to the people who need it.

FORCE by the Numbers in 2025:

FORCE is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, rated Charity Navigator 4-star and GuideStar Platinum.

What Your Dollars Can Make Possible

Anchoring your ask to real impact helps people give.

Try this: “My goal of $520 funds five Peer Navigation connections for people facing a new diagnosis.”

Add other fundraising goals here.

Your Support Helps Provide

Peer Navigation: One-on-one support from trained volunteers who understand the hereditary cancer experience.

Support Groups: Virtual groups led by genetic counselors and FORCE-trained moderators for different cancers, mutations and communities.

Education:  Expert-reviewed information on genetic testing, cancer risk, screening, prevention, insurance and treatment.

Advocacy:  Work to improve public policy and expand access to testing, screening, prevention and coverage.

Research: Connections to studies and trials that advance knowledge and improve outcomes.

Five simple steps take you from “I want to help” to “I hit my goal.”

1.  Pick how you will fundraise. Choose an option from Ways to Fundraise on the next page. Pick what fits your style and your timing.

2.  Set a goal that inspires. A clear target raises more than no target at all. Start meaningful and reachable, then raise it once you get there.

3.  Make the first gift and personalize your page. Fundraisers who donate first, add a photo and write a few honest sentences about why they care raise far more. Your gift sets the tone.

4.  Share your story, then share it again. Most people give after the second or third ask, not the first. Post when you launch, at your halfway point, and in your final days. Use email, text and social media.

5.  Thank everyone, quickly. A fast, personal thank-you turns a one-time gift into a lasting supporter.

Big goals can feel daunting until you break them down. Most goals are just a handful of everyday asks:

Quick tip: your own gift, plus asks to the five to ten people who love you most, usually gets you to your first milestone fast. Then raise your goal and keep going.

If you are participating in an event where FORCE is an official charity partner, such as runDisney or the TCS New York City Marathon, or if you are joining one of our annual fundraising campaigns, you will receive a personal fundraising page as part of your registration.

If you would like to support FORCE in your own way, there are many options to choose from. You can select one fundraising activity or combine several to create a campaign that feels meaningful to you. The links below will help you get started.

Facebook or Instagram Fundraiser

    Celebrate a birthday, honor a survivorship milestone, recognize a loved one, or mark a special occasion by creating a fundraiser through Facebook or Instagram. Set up a fundraiser.

Personal Fundraising Page

    Create your own fundraising page and share it with friends, family, and colleagues through email, text, and social media. Personal pages can be customized to reflect your story, honor someone important to you, or support a goal that inspires you. Start your page.

Run, Walk, or Move with FORCE

     Join TeamFORCE at events such as runDisney, the TCS New York City Marathon, and other endurance events, or create your own virtual walking, running, cycling, or fitness challenge. Explore opportunities.

Memorial Pages and Gifts

     Honor the memory of a loved one by creating a memorial page where family and friends can share donations and messages of remembrance. To create a customized memorial page, email us at TeamFORCE@facingourrisk.org, and we'll work with you to make it a meaningful tribute.

Additional Fundraising Ideas and Inspiration

Looking for a creative way to support FORCE? These ideas can be paired with a personal fundraising page or used alongside any of the fundraising methods above. Choose an idea that reflects your interests, talents, and connection to the hereditary cancer community.

• Host an Event
  Bring your community together by organizing an event at home, work, school, or in your neighborhood. Whether it's a game night, bake sale, golf outing, fitness class, or other gathering, we can help you create a dedicated donation page to support your efforts.
• Maybe even host a virtual event like a "No-Show Tea Party"
  Mail or deliver a tea bag with a warm note inviting friends and family to enjoy a quiet cup of tea at home. Instead of attending an event, ask them to donate the time, money, or effort they saved to support FORCE.
• Restaurant Give-Back Night
  Partner with a local restaurant that is willing to donate a percentage of sales from a designated day or evening to FORCE. If you would like help planning your event or approaching a restaurant, contact TeamFORCE@facingourrisk.org and we'll be happy to help.
• 100 Squares for FORCE
  Create a fundraising board with 100 numbered squares. Supporters select a square and donate the corresponding amount. If every square is filled, you can raise up to $5,050 for FORCE.
• Stream-a-Thon for FORCE
  Go live for a cause! Host a livestream on Twitch, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Zoom, or another platform. Share your story, play games, host guests, answer questions, or complete fun challenges while encouraging viewers to donate.
• Raise Awareness During National Hereditary Cancer Week
  Create a fundraiser that educates your community, explains why hereditary cancer awareness matters, and inspires others to support FORCE's mission.
• Create a Bar or Bat Mitzvah Project
  Incorporate FORCE into your bar or bat mitzvah project by raising awareness and funds for individuals and families affected by hereditary cancer. It is a meaningful way to celebrate an important milestone while making a difference.
• Ask for Donations in Lieu of Flowers or Gifts
  During treatment, recovery, a special celebration, or another meaningful life event, invite loved ones to make a gift to FORCE as a thoughtful way to show their support.
• Turn Your Talents Into Support
  Whether you enjoy making friendship bracelets, baking, crafting, photography, teaching, organizing, or creating something unique, use your skills to raise funds in a way that feels personal and authentic.

SPECIAL IDEA FOR FORCE VOLUNTEERS!

• Fundraise in honor of your volunteer service. Share that you’re a proud FORCE volunteer and let your friends and family know how your work helps improve the lives of individuals and families affected by hereditary cancer. Invite them to support your volunteer efforts by making a gift, helping you raise awareness, and expanding FORCE’s ability to provide education, connection, and support to more people who need it. If you would like to become an official volunteer for FORCE, please use this link to learn how to get involved.

Need Help?

No matter how you choose to fundraise, the TeamFORCE team is here to support you. If you have an idea you would like to explore or need help getting started, contact us at TeamFORCE@facingourrisk.org. We would love to help bring your fundraising vision to life.

The ask feels uncomfortable for almost everyone. Remember: you are not asking for yourself, you are inviting people to be part of something that matters. A few tips make it easier:

Lead with why.  One or two honest sentences about your connection to FORCE beat any statistic.

Be specific.  “Help me reach $1,000 to fund Peer Navigation” works better than “please donate.”

Make it easy.  Always include your link and tell people exactly how to give.

Ask more than once.  People are busy. A reminder is not a nuisance; it is a second chance to give.

Copy, paste and personalize. Add your own name, goal and link.

Launch message (email or social)

Text message (short)

Halfway nudge

Final push

Although any donor who gives through your personal fundraising page will receive a thank-you email, which they can also use as a tax receipt, a personal thank-you from you helps donors feel the impact they made. A quick note, by text, email or card, makes it personal. Thank people within a day or two and tell them what their gift makes possible.

Sample thank-you

Is my gift tax-deductible?

Yes. FORCE is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Our EIN is 65-0927702.

Where does the money go?

All dollars donated will be recorded as “unrestricted funds” (unless otherwise indicated) and will be used to support initiatives such as FORCE’s free programs: education, peer support and navigation, advocacy and research. FORCE holds a Charity Navigator 4-star rating and a GuideStar Platinum seal.

Will my donors get a receipt?

Yes. FORCE provides an acknowledgment for every gift made through our fundraising pages.

I have never done this. Can I still succeed?

Absolutely. Most TeamFORCE fundraisers are first-timers. Share your story, follow the five steps listed above under “Your Fundraising Playbook” above and ask for help whenever you need it.

Who can I contact for help?

Reach out to us any time. The best way is to email us at TeamFORCE@facingourrisk.org. Emails sent to this address are seen by multiple members of our team, ensuring you receive the quickest response.

For FAQs specific to runDisney or New York City Marathon events, click the badges below.