Fundraising Tips

Are you ready to fundraise for Team Golden Apple? Share some of our resources to the right and check out our fundraising tips below.

20 fundraising tips to make reaching your goal a little less daunting:

• BE YOUR FIRST DONOR: Make the first donation to your page. It shows that you’re committed and helps your friends and family be confident in you.
• E-MAIL: The easiest place to begin! Email all your friends, family and coworkers and let them know why you’re running. Send them the link to your fundraising page, and you’ll be amazed how many donations come in right away!
• SOCIAL MEDIA: Don’t be afraid to reach out on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. It only takes seconds to create a post that hundreds of people can see and connect with. Share regular photo updates of your training progress with a link to your Crowdrise page.
• MATCHING GIFTS: Check with your company to see whether they have a program to match donations you make to charities.
• SEND A LETTER: Handwritten notes and traditional snail mail still go a long way. Write short and sweet notes sharing how teachers have impacted your life and ask your friends to donate so that other students can have amazing educators in their lives.
• PARTY: Who doesn’t love a party? Hold a get-together at your house and ask attendees for a donation as “admission.”
• BIRTHDAY: Donate your birthday to your campaign. Ask your friends for donations in lieu of presents.
• ASK YOUR FRIENDS TO CELEBRATE: Ask your friends to donate to your campaign and help to provide all students with phenomenal teachers. Or, pick another holiday that’s close to your heart and do the same.
• YARD SALE: You didn’t want all that stuff anyway! Gather it, price it, and take it outside on a sunny Saturday to get money for it. Keep a stack of cards near your cash box that have your personal fundraising website on it along with more information about Golden Apple. That way they can give more to your campaign when they get home.
• RESTAURANT FUNDRAISER NIGHT: Lots of restaurants offer charity fundraising evenings, where they will return a percentage of their profits for an evening to the charity of your choice. Ask if your local favorites offer charity evenings, and whether they would be interested in holding one for you.
• GROCERY STORE: Ask your local grocery store if you can set up a table at the exit. Approach people as they leave and inquire whether they would be interested in donating to your campaign.
• CHANGE JAR: Place a household “change jar” in your kitchen, where your family and roommates can place loose change. Every bit helps!
• DOOR-TO-DOOR: Go to your neighbors’ houses and ask them directly whether they can make a donation to your campaign. Make sure to tell them all about Golden Apple and be prepared to answer any questions they may have.
• BRUNCH: Hold a potluck-style brunch at your house on a Saturday morning and ask for donations in exchange for attendance.
• WINE TASTING: Hold a BYOB wine-tasting event at your house and ask for donations in exchange for attendance.
• LOCAL ART: Have a friend who’s an artist? Ask whether she or he could design greeting cards, prints, or anything else you could sell to family, friends, and coworkers in exchange for a set donation to your marathon campaign.
• AWARDS SHOW GALA: Invite your friends over for your favorite awards show, and request that they all dress up – whether as movie characters or musicians, or simply wear their finest gala attire. Ask for donations in exchange for attendance.
• ASK YOUR CHURCH: Ask your minister whether you can take a few minutes of your church service to pitch your campaign to attendees. Set up a table in the lobby with more information and a change canister, and be ready to answer any questions anyone might have about Golden Apple or your campaign.
• SILENT AUCTION: See if your friends have items of value lying around that they haven’t gotten around to selling yet. Collect them all and hold your own “silent auction” at your house. Everyone who contributes can go home with something cool!
• BAKE SALE: Grab your kids or friends, and whip a few items up in the kitchen! Sell them at work, church, school events, or at other community gatherings you attend.