Tools and Tips

Every dollar you raise for the Gutsy Walk brings us closer to the cures for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.  To help you on along the way, we have included tools to help you with your GUTSY fundraising efforts.

PARTICIPANT FUNDRAISING TOOLS

Corporate Team Resources


Here are a few ways to boost your fundraising total and show some love to your donors.

Fundraising TIPS:

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.
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 GUTSY experience by creating a team.

TEam Captain tips

Once you’ve registered online as a Team Captain, the next steps are to start building your team and its success. Remember to:

  • Connect with your contacts by email, telephone or in-person to let them know why this event is important to you and how they can help. The Online Participant Centre features tools you can use to share information about Gutsy Walk including an email inviting your contacts to register for your team. You can also use the Online Participant Centre to monitor your team’s fundraising efforts.
  • Remind your teammates to customize their personal fundraising page.
  • Share information about Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis with your team via crohnsandcolitis.ca.
  • Build team spirit by involving your teammates in the creation of a unique team name and in designing a team t-shirt or “outfit” or theme to wear at your local Gutsy Walk.
  • Be creative with your fundraising initiatives! Try hosting a BBQ, bake sale, dinner party, pot luck lunch, pancake breakfast, cookie-gram, bingo night, bowling, paint night, dress down days, workplace mini putt, garage sale or a silent auction.
  • Celebrate ALL fundraising wins leading up to the walk! Congratulate your teammates as they achieve their personal fundraising goals. Thank everyone who supported your team’s fundraising efforts.
  • Remind your teammates of the great prizes they can earn for their fundraising efforts and through team contests.
  • HAVE FUN! Remember, you are making a difference in the lives of people living with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.