We know fundraising can seem like a daunting task - but don’t worry! We’ve broken down a comprehensive day-by-day plan equipped with tips and tools to help you reach your goals and raise critical funds for the epilepsy community.
First thing’s first: be sure you’ve personalized your fundraising page with a picture (fundraising pages with a photo of the participant are 3X more likely to receive a donation!) and a statement about why you run, who you run for, or what epilepsy means to you.
Day 1: Sponsor yourself for $100 (or whatever amount you feel comfortable giving).
Donors want to support you in a cause that they see you already support yourself. Your gift will set the tone for your donors!
Day 2: Ask two family members for $75.
The people who love you most will support you in anything you do – especially when it’s a cause that is personal to you. Start with them and boost your fundraising total early.
Day 3: Ask three friends to donate $50.
$50 fills one seizure first aid kit for our medical team at Camp Achieve. Your best friends will be happy to know what their support can achieve.
Day 4: Ask two co-workers to sponsor you for $25
Don't forget to ask your company/your donors if their companies have a matching gifts program to potentially double the gift!
Day 5: Ask five people in your social network for a $10 donation.
Post and tag friends on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter. If social media isn't your thing, try texting your appeal!
Make it personal! Donors are much more likely to support you in your efforts if they are personally connected to the cause and understand the needs and challenges.
If you have a personal story and connection to epilepsy that you feel comfortable sharing with your community, we strongly encourage you to do so! Not only will you be spreading awareness, you will also be helping your network understand epilepsy and increase the chances of receiving their support.
One easy way to ask your family, friends and colleagues to support your fundraising efforts is by emailing them to let them know that you are running this 5k. We’ve compiled a bunch of copy-and-paste solicitation email templates you can access, but we encourage you to get creative, share your story, and craft your own appeal!
Three simple rules to follow when soliciting donations:
Always email one-to-one. It’s always nice to receive a personal note, and it also holds donors a little more accountable than being one of many in a group appeal.
Always follow up with your donors. Just because someone hasn’t donated to your fundraising page doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t want to - they simply might have forgotten. A little reminder never hurts.
Always, always, always thank your donors. Make sure your network feels appreciated for supporting you in your efforts!
These tips and tools apply if you choose to send you letters as good old fashioned snail-mail, too!
As many of you know, posting about the 5k on social media is not only a great way to spread the word and raise awareness, it’s also a great way to raise your funds! Craft your own messages on social media to let your friends know why the Run is important to you. Follow our social media tips below for the most effective awareness and fundraising posts:
Keep it short and punchy. The most effective posts are factual and to the point.
But don’t be afraid to get personal. That being said, if you have a personal connection or story you can share, doing so can really help new individuals and families in your network learn about epilepsy and the EFEPA 5k.
Tying facts and statistics to your posts can be a powerful tool. Use the examples below on social media (Facebook is still our favorite, but Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter are great, too), via email, in person or on the phone!
1 in 26 people will be diagnosed with epilepsy in their lifetime. Everyone knows someone affected by seizure disorders. Did you know I am/my child/parent/sibling/friend is the 1 in 26? This October, I’m running for the EFEPA, and I’m asking my friends and family to consider making a donation of $26 in recognition of those who are living and battling with epilepsy. #StridesAgainstSeizures (Insert link to fundraising page)
1 in 10 people will have a seizure at some point in their life. In recognition of the 1 in 10, I'm sharing tips on how to be #SeizureSmart with 10 of my friends and asking that each of you considering making a $10 donation to my EFEPA 5k page. Together, we can raise the funds and awareness needed to end the disorder, and the discrimination and stigmas that go along with it. #StidesAgainstSeizures (Tag 10 friends, Insert link to fundraising page)
33% of people diagnosed with epilepsy are living with uncontrolled seizures because no medication or surgery will work for them. This October I am honoring the 33% by running a 5k with the EFEPA. Please consider donating $33 to my fundraising page to help provide programs, resources, services and HOPE for the 33%. #StridesAgainstSeizures (Insert link to fundraising page)
3.4 million people in the US and over 110,000 residents of Eastern PA are living with epilepsy. I’m/my child/parent/sibling/loved one is one of them. This October, I’m doing my part to make a difference and running a 5k with the EFEPA to makes Strides Against Seizures – will you join me? #StirdesAgainstSeizures (Insert link to fundraising page)
Did you know that epilepsy is the fourth most common neurological disease after migraine, stroke, and Alzheimer’s disease? Everyone knows someone living with epilepsy, yet the disorder is underfunded in research initiatives and rarely talked about. This October, I’m doing my part in trying to change that by running a 5k for the EFEPA. Please consider joining me, or donating to my fundraising page to help me reach my goal. #StridesAgainstSeizures (Insert link to fundraising page)
470,000 children under the age of 18 in the US are living with epilepsy and seizure disorders. This October, I’m making Strides Against Sieuzres and trying to raise $470 in recognition of the hundreds of thousands of kids living with seizures. Will you help me reach that goal? No donation is too small - every little bit counts and gets me one step closer! #StridesAgainstSeizures (Insert link to fundraising page)
Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes seizures. Seizures are abnormal activity in the brain. 1 in 10 people will have a seizure in their lifetime, and 1 in 26 people will be diagnosed with epilepsy in their lifetime. Not everyone who has a seizure will be diagnosed with epilepsy, but everyone diagnosed with epilepsy has seizures. This October, I’m making Strides Against Seizure by running a 5k with the EFEPA. Please join me on October 6th or consider donating to my fundraising page to support my efforts! #StidesAgainstSeizures (Insert link to fundraising page)
One great way to increase your efforts is by planning a creative fundraiser event based around your interests or hobbies. Here’s some ideas of events your fellow all-star participants have hosted in the past:
You name it, people have turned their hobbies into creative events to benefit their fundraising efforts. For more ideas, visit our website HERE. It is always best to have your contacts make donations directly to your fundraising page, or mail check donations in to the Foundation.
Questions about fundraising or recruiting people to your team?
Email Missy Dolaway, mdolaway@efepa.org, or call 215-629-5003 ext. 1