Aim high with your fundraising goal
A fundraising goal of $1,000 or more can feel daunting. We get that. But showing that sort of commitment to the cause can lead to larger pledges from your donors. Remember there’s no shame in not reaching an ambitious goal; any amount you raise will help better the lives of people impacted by Crohn’s or colitis.
Share your story
Once you have a fundraising page established, personalize it by sharing why the Gutsy Walk matters to you. Do you care for a child with Crohn’s or colitis? Do you take on IBD yourself? Have you overcome challenges after a surgery? This is where you can show potential donors why funds are needed, and the good those funds can do.
Get asking
One of the main reasons people don’t pledge is because they simply weren’t asked. People want to make a difference, as you do, and they’ll often step up when asked. Use the Participant Centre to email your contacts to ask for their support. Ask your friends, family, coworkers, and anyone else who could add their support.
Get social
Use Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other social media accounts to spread the word about your walk. Include a link to your fundraising page in your tweets and Facebook posts. Put the link in your Instagram bio. Share the link with your professional connections on LinkedIn. The more people you reach out to, the better your chances of finding donors.
Gather pledges offline and track your progress
While most Gutsy Walk donations are made online, you can still find funds from folks who prefer to make contributions by cash or cheque. Print off a pledge form so you can add offline donations to your tally, and use the fundraising thermometer to keep you moving towards your goal.
Looking for details on how to add offlines funds to your personal page? E-mail us at
gutsywalk@crohnsandcolitis.ca or check out the
instructions on how to manage offline donations.
Keep in touch with your donors
Use the Participant Centre to send thank you emails to the fine folks who have donated to your walk. The sooner you send a personalized thank you after receiving a donation, the better. It’s a nice touch to send a thank you message to all of your donors after the walk to let them know how the day went and how much their contribution is appreciated.
Create a team
Enhance your fundraising efforts and experience by creating a team!