Okay, I know fundraising can seem daunting (or even scary) for some people but it doesn’t have to be. Here’s a day to day breakdown of how you can actually raise $1000 in 10 days that should help (and maybe even encourage) you with your personal fundraising activities. Remember, people give (donate) because they were asked!

Day 1- Donate $50 to your group. You give already, but this will get your campaign going with a nice sized donation, and show everyone that you’re committed to the cause. (Net $50)

Day 2- Ask 2 family members to donate $50 to your campaign, or 4 members to donate $25! You can mention this would be better than getting a birthday or Christmas gift this year, which makes it even easier for them! (Net $100)

Day 3- Ask 10 friends to donate $20 to your campaign. That’s what they’d pay to go out for drinks one night, or just for an entree’ at dinner. If it seems too steep for some, encourage 4 of them to band together and give just $5 each, totaling $20. Altogether, you want to get $200 from your friends. (Net $200)

Day 4- Ask 5 of your friendly, pet-loving neighbors to donate $20 to the campaign. (Net $100)

Day 5- Ask 5 of your co-workers (who always ask you to buy stuff from their kids) to donate $20. (Net $100)

Day 6- Ask 10 people you know who own pets to donate $10 each towards your cause. (Net $100)

Day 7- Ask 10 people from your social networks to give $10 each. This could be people from your book club, your yoga class, your church group and your bowling league. (Net $100)

Day 8- Ask a civic organization you’re affiliated with in your town to pledge $100 to your campaign. (Net $100)

Day 9- Ask your company/ employer to match your $50 donation. You can usually do this through the Human Resources Dept. (Net $50)

Day 10- Ask 5 companies or professionals with whom you’ve done frequent business to give just $20 to the campaign (Net $100). This could be your dentist, your doctor, your hairstylist, your favorite restaurant. You are a repeat client, and it is fine to ask them to sponsor you in this campaign.

Extra Tips:

• Mention your goal early in your pitch.
• Keep some of your donation letters and money bag with you at ALL times during the campaign! You never know when someone may donate! (Only keep enough money on hand to make change as needed. Leave the rest at home.)
• Or, make it a contest for yourself! If you reach $1,000 in 10 days, you’ll _________ (shave your head, dye your hair pink, kiss a pig…)
• Take the campaign online by using Facebook or Twitter.
• You may hear NO, and that’s OK. Just keep asking to reach your goal! Accept smaller donations and continue to ask until you reach your goal!
• Offer to match the highest gift from an individual!

Good luck and don't be afraid to ask anyone you may come into contact with! You just never know who might be affected by cancer (or may even be a survivor).

Michelle Nowland, Team Captain

Pink Ribbon Angels

Chicago 2006-2012