Idea's for fundraising - The Toronto Weekend to End Women's Cancers

bosomboobies · Member

Idea's for fundraising

lmcphail · Veteran Member

Hi Erin,

Thanks for the great tips. I plan on hitting all the places I spend money in on a regular basis in my area. If they want my continued business they will give generously.

Good luck on your fundraising and walk.

-- Edited by lmcphail on Thursday 19th of March 2009 12:02:31 PM

Ashley Costa · Senior Member

I agree with you Erin - We just need to pick up the phone and call, you never know what you'll get.

I called around to different food places, pubs, salons etc and received a ton of gift certificates!!

Just call - I usually have a little 'script' ready just so I don't ramble on :)

Dale · Newbie

Hi Ladies,
You have some great ideas for funraising. Thanks. As a 4th year walker I am always looking for new ideas.

I have a new one for you.Last year I had a representative from a sterling silver jewellery company that was new to Canada do a Home Show for me at my house as a fundraiser. It was great fun (a girls night out, socializing and trying on jewellery) and very successful and she donated 15% of her profit. Well, I fell in love with the jewellery and now I am a representative! It's beautiful Sterling Silver, natural gemstone jewellery. If you are interested in hosting a home show as a fundraiser please contact me at dalemcmill@yahoo.com
Good luck to all of you.

tferus · Veteran Member

Hey Ashley,

I'm seriously shy when cold-calling. Would you mind sharing your script? I'm better when I know what to say.... and I haven't a clue at the moment!

Thanks in advance!

Tee
algonquinwoman@yahoo.com

Naamphong · Senior Member

Ashley Costa wrote:

I agree with you Erin - We just need to pick up the phone and call, you never know what you'll get.

I called around to different food places, pubs, salons etc and received a ton of gift certificates!!

Just call - I usually have a little 'script' ready just so I don't ramble on :)

Ashley,
Do you still have your lil script kicking around?

Ashley Costa · Senior Member

Actually, no I don't still have that 'script'.

Really, just think about what you want to get across - but in the quickest form possible - managers don't have time to sit and listen for 15 mins (ideally, 2 mins - MAX).

First ask to speak to the general manager, if they aren't available - the manager on duty.

Here is something Im coming up with at the top of my head. And thinking about it, I just edited the script as I went along (what worked and what didn't).

I would say, Hi my name is Ashley Costa and I'm calling to ask for your help (or you could say "Im calling to talk about an event I am involved in).
I am making a bold move to end cancer - Im participating in the Weekend to End Women's Cancers! Have you heard of this event before? (If yes, then it saves you a ton of time). If not, it's a 60 kms walk through the neighbourhoods of Toronto but the catch is, I have to raise $2000 and this is where I need your help.
I am hoping your company (say the name) would be willing to donate a gift certificate, merchandise, service (etc etc. depending on the place you are calling) to help me reach my goal.
If you're interested, I would be happy to come and meet in person to discuss the event more and also provide you with my participation letter proving that I am indeed a registered walker.

Like the post said above, it's really easy to call - just have a little something planned out before you do call and it makes it so much easier.
I've done this a couple of years and end up walking away with $25-$50 gift certificates from restaurants and salons.

Good luck!

Dale · Newbie

Hi Everyone,
Great ideas for fundraising. Thanks. As a 5 time walker I am always looking for new ideas.
Just to let you all know that I am a representative for a fabulous line of sterling silver and gem stone jewellery and I am willing to do fundraisers for the walk. I do one every year for my team and they can be very successful. If you would like more information please email me at dalemcmill@yahoo.com.
I look forward to helping all of you.

ckhouzam · Member

The movie theatres also gave me movie passes which is a great deal these days at the price of movies!!

SaraP · Member

Wow, I really appreciate everyone's advice on this.

I have a couple of questions about doing the raffles/give aways.

Where do you do the raffles/give aways and how do you advertise them? Like are you selling tickets to the raffles on your tag days only, or are you doing it some other way?

Also, does everyone actually go to the trouble of getting the raffle license or whatever it's called?

I'm a first time walker and really excited to try out these ideas!

Ashley Costa · Senior Member

Hi Sara and welcome!

For the raffles / give-a-ways I tend to do them when I do events... Like Casino Ram bus trips (I'll do a raffle on the way there or back).
Or this year I am trying out a PUB NIGHT (April 8th at the Auld Spot Pub on

College St

.). There I am having an auction for a Toronto Maple Leafs Jersey/18K Diamond earrings along w/ a raffle for tickets to Toronto Rock, Toronto Marlies, gift certificates etc.
For the tickets, I have season tickets to Marlies which I donated, my friend has season tickets with Toronto Rock and the Jersey I got donated by a friend who owns a Jersey store online (www.sportsjerseyscanada.ca).
It's all about who you know and who you're willing to ask (which should be everyone).
I also ask companies, restaurants, salons etc. for gift certificates or any items they can donate (bars always have things kicking around).
So what you have to do is build up some confidence, write down a little script and call everyone/everywhere you can think of and just ask.
Print off your participation letter (found on your participation centre page - once you log onto your account at endcancer.ca) and have that handy when you meet with the people you're asking for donations.
I don't get licences for raffles - I think it all depends where you're doing your fundraisers (and who is watching).

Hope this helps - otherwise feel free to contact me by email
ac_144@hotmail.com

Talk soon!