Is Personal Fundraising Right for You?
Posting your project on Together at UCSF is relatively straightforward, but effectively reaching donors and raising money takes time, effort, and creativity.
Before you embark on a personal fundraising campaign, ask yourself these questions to determine whether it’s the right choice for you.
- Who is your crowd?
Fundraisers must reach out to their own networks for support. Whether social (friends and family) or professional (current and past colleagues, industry connections), know who you will be asking for support.
Social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn, are useful, especially if you have a dedicated following and a reputation for posting meaningful content.
Email, texts, and old-fashioned phone calls are also valuable tools for engaging your crowd.
We do not provide lists of prospects but are happy to screen lists of contacts to identify anyone who has asked to be removed from fundraising.
- Who are your campaigners?
Multiple campaigners generating enthusiasm, connecting with diverse constituencies, and sharing their passions are typically more successful than a lone campaigner.
The best campaigns also assign specific roles to team members, leveraging the unique skills and networks of each campaigner.
- What is the impact of your project?
Focus your pitch on the impact that your fully funded project will have on patients, families, and advocates and our understanding of the disease or problem. Make your pitch personal and passionate, priming people to act. Photos, videos, and audio all can help bring your pitch to life.
- Are you ready to go the distance with your campaign?
Fundraising campaigns are a lot of work. Be prepared to communicate regularly with your networks and contributors throughout your campaign. Updates for your donors can include fundraising progress and news items relating to the campaign, requests for support, and personal anecdotes.
Keep people engaged, and they’ll contribute more and share with friends.
- How will you stay in touch with donors to your project?
Donors need to know about the impact of their gifts. Be prepared to keep in touch with donors about their giving and, working with the UCSF Office of University Development, plan to follow up with donors throughout the year. We might recommend soliciting past donors to renew their support.