1. Now that your Registered

Bookmark and save the link to your personal fundraiser page: Your fundraising page has promotional tools that will help you fundraise. You will be returning here regularly. If you lose track of it, it can be found under the "My Fundraising Tools" tab. If you copy the link from your browsers URL, make sure it is a working link before you send it out. It is a good idea to test all links berfore sending.


2. Lead the Way

Now that you're registered as a fundraiser, it's time to take your first steps as a fundraiser and gather some donations!

Sign in to your Fundraising Dashboard: Open your personal fundraising page and use the "Log in" link in the top right to sign in. This will take you to your personal fundraising dashboard.

Optionally customize your fundraising page: Your fundraising dashboard allows you to edit your personal fundraising page (Click 'Edit my page' and then find the gear icon to edit a section). Be sure to upload your photo if you have not done so.

3. Reach out to your Personal Network

Reach out to your network: You will reach out to your contacts with a personal message via text, email or voice about supporting Boys To Men Mentoring. You may lead with a conversation, a link to the video, the BTM website or your personal campaign page. See #4 below for a list of methods on how to make first contact with your personal network. If contact is made via text or email, a follow-up call increases the chances of a donation occuring by over 80%.

See link SAMPLE TEXTS & EMAILS for script that you can cut and past and use to text or email. This makes fundraising really easy. There are apps that allow you to send a text to all of your contacts. We have seen people raise several thousand dollars in just a couple weeks using this method.

Follow up: After your initial contact and sending them a link to the video or your campaign page, a follow-up call may be necessaary. You may simply ask, "Hey, did you get a chance to see that video I sent?" If they have not, ask them to take three and a half minutes right now to watch it and you will call them back. Call them back in 4 minutes, tell them why you support BTM Mentoring, then ask: "Can I count on you to make a tax deductible donation to support at-risk youth mentoring and provide groceries for low-income single parent families for the Holidays?" Then send them the link to your campaign page if you haven't already.

BARRIERS

They have limited funds: Tell them you understand and that a contribution at any level, even $2 is a vote of support for BTM Mentoring. When starting new programs it is good for administrators to know that the community supports the program. Anybody can forgo one coffee in a month and contribute at least $2.

They want more info: If they need more info, you can let them know there is a link to the BTM website on your campaign page or send them a direct link to the BTM NorCal website. www.BoysToMenNorCal.org

Zoom-A-Thons: Fundraising is more fun together. Schedule times each week for fundraisers to get together with Boys to Men staff on Zoom and make calls. Zoom-A-Thons are inspiring and are for supporting you in making calls. It is highly effective to have a consistant time each day or week to make calls. Boys To Men Staff can be on these Zooms to offer support and answer fundraising questions. Visit our Campaign Info page for a list of Zoom Links and Times.

Fundraising Buddies: You can buddy up with one or more fundraisers. Set a regular time to make calls. Check in at the beginning and at the end. Send each other text updates throughout the designated call time, like, "I just received a $500 donation!." Fundraising with others is fun and can exponentiate results.

4. Make it your own

Fundraising is a personal experience, and what's important is you find a method that feels right for you. Consider some of the following options.

How you communicate with your personal network is up to you, but we find if people watch the video they are more likely to donate.  

Lead with Your Fundraising Page Link: Email or text your campaign page link to your contacts with a personal message asking them to watch the 3.5 minute B2M video that appears on your page.

Lead with a Conversation: Simply call your contact and tell them you are volunteering for a fantastic organization that is changing the lives of teen boys. Tell them you would like them to take three and a half minutes to watch an amazing video and that you will call them right back. Get off the phone, send them the link to the video and call them back in 4 minutes to follow-up, ask for a donation and send them the link to your campaign page.

Lead with the Campaign Video: Consider sending just the video link by itself wiht a message asking them to watch the 3.5 minute video and that you will be reaching out to them later to talk about it. Have the follow-up conversation and then send them the link to your fundraising page so they can donate. 

Lead with the BTM Website: Send your contact the link to the website and a message asking them to watch the 3.5 minute video at the top of the home page. Let them know you will be reaching out to them later to talk about it. Have the follow-up conversation and then send them the link to your fundraising page so they can donate. 

Lead with a Color Flyer (The one at the bottom of this page): You can lead with an electronic version of the flyer or a hard copy of the flyer you hand to someone (full size or quarter page versions). Text and email the campaign flyer to your contacts with a personal message asking them to check out the your page and watch the video. Make sure you mention that you will be calling them soon to talk about it. If texting, remember you cannot open a QR Code from a text with the phone it was sent to. So you will need to additionally send a direct link to your fundraising page with the flyer image.

Get a copy of the COLOR FLYER with your name and personal campaign page QR code on it.  We can send you a JPG for texting as well as a PDF for email and printing. If you like 4x5 handouts, we can send you a 4 to a page version that you can print and cut out. Send your request to: Connect@BoysToMenNorCal.org   

5. Multiply your Reach

Consider asking people if they would be willing to send your personal fundraising page link to their contacts and/or post it on their social media. If yes, make sure you send them a fresh link to share. 

You may want to ask certain members of your network if they would like to fundraise with you. After they have reviewed our materials and want to join the campaign they can register just like you did. Send them the REGISTRATION page link and follow up with the Fundraising Guide Link (this page) and then the CAMPAIGN INFO page link. 

6. Remember the Cause!

Last and most importantly, remember how important this cause is!  Read the BTM website, or at least check out our "Talking Points." The more connected you are with the impact of this program and the possibility is has for humanity if it were in every school, the more on fire you will be to share it with others.

For more fundraising support, check out these links on the Fundraising Guide Menu Page: 

"Fundraising Tips," "Talking Points," and "Sponsorships."

Good luck!

If you need any help, don't hesitate to reach out to us: Connect@BoysToMenNorCal.org