Fundraising Tips for Mercy Home Heroes
You've made your first asks and you're on your way. Now it's time to keep the momentum going. October will be here before you know it, and there's still plenty of opportunity to grow your fundraising total. Here are some tips and reminders to help you finish strong.
Start with Your Inner Circle
If you haven't already, go back to friends and family who haven't responded yet. Whenever possible, make these asks in person. It gets the largest gifts. And don't be afraid to go back to people who have already given. A personal thank you followed by an update on your training journey can open the door to a second gift.
Make It Personal
Don't mass email your entire address book. Instead, send a few personalized emails each day, connecting Mercy Home's mission to why it might resonate with that specific person. Fundraisers who use personalized emails raise up to 11 times more than those who don't. Only 22% of fundraisers send emails at all, yet those who send just 4 to 10 average $585 in donations, and those who send 15 or more raise an average of $1,368. Pay attention to your subject line too. It has to stand out in a crowded inbox.
A few other writing tips: use the word "you." It warms up the conversation, makes everything more personal, and is a powerful emotional trigger. Also, be authentic. It's even preferred to say it's hard. Post after your toughest runs and your most challenging days. Donors connect with real stories.
Make Big Asks First
Every dollar helps, but lead with your largest asks. It takes 250 $10 donations to hit the $2,500 minimum, but only 50 $50 gifts. Energy, enthusiasm, and empathy are the three qualities donors love to see. And remember: never say no for someone. You never know who Mercy Home's mission might resonate with.
Save Social Media for Last
If you've already been posting, don't stop now. This is the time to lean in. Share photos from your training runs with a link to your fundraising page, and celebrate milestones: your longest run yet, a new personal distance record, the weeks ticking down to race day.
When you post, use relevant hashtags, especially on Instagram: #sweatyselfie #chicagomarathon #mercyhome #mercyhomeheroes #nodistanceistoofar. Put your fundraising page link in your social media bios and email signature. Follow the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on social media and share their posts alongside your fundraising link.
Also, make sure your fundraising page is personalized with a photo (preferably in your Heroes jersey) and your personal story. People who personalize their pages raise seven to eighteen times more than those who don't. Keep updating it throughout your journey.
Don't Forget to Say Thank You
Thank donors quickly and personally. While you should personalize the automated thank-you message on your fundraising platform, adding a handwritten card significantly increases the likelihood of a second gift. When you take that extra step, people are more likely to give again!
Use Every Opportunity
Take advantage of special days to promote your fundraiser: your birthday, Global Running Day, or fun entries from the National Day Calendar. ("It's National Sugar Cookie Day: Do something sweet and give a gift to bring hope and healing to kids in need.") Our staff regularly publishes stories about the children in our care, and our YouTube page has excellent videos you can share via email and social media to show donors exactly what their money supports.
One Final Thought
Your fundraising number is a minimum, not a finish line. No one trains for a marathon planning to do the bare minimum and fundraising is no different. You're not asking for yourself. You're asking on behalf of the children supported by Mercy Home. And people genuinely want to help. You're simply giving them an outlet to change the world.
Heroes don't just do the minimum.
