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Extra Life Fundraising 101: Tips and Tricks

Asking for donations can sometimes feel a little intimidating. But you don’t have to do it alone! Whether you raise $5 or $500, when we work together, our efforts will add up to make a big difference #ForTheKids. To get you started, here are some of our top fundraising tips and tricks:

MAKE IT PERSONAL. Make some edits to your personal fundraising page- use your own picture, set a goal, and share why gaming and/or supporting BBCH is important to you. Your excitement will be contagious, and on average, people who personalize their fundraising page earn 5x more than those who do not! Share your passion and personality on your page, and your friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, etc. will want to support you and help you meet your goal. (PS- even if you didn’t personalize your fundraising page to start with- you can always go back and make edits!)

SHARE!!! We get it. Asking for support can sometimes feel uncomfortable. But while you might not get every donation you ask for, you won’t get anything without asking! Pro tip: the average donor needs to see your appeal 3 times before they’ll notice and support your effort.

  • Get social! Share your fundraising link- and a sentence about why you’re gaming for BBCH- on social media. It’s a pretty gentle way to ask for donations.
  • Facebook ESPECIALLY! Speaking of social media, your Extra Life fundraising page has the option to link directly to a Facebook fundraiser with just a few clicks. AND IT REALLY WORKS. The average Facebook integrated fundraiser earns at least $150 in donations.
  • Emails, texts, and phone calls all work well, too! All you have to do is ask!

PUT THE FUN IN FUNDRAISING! Find creative ways to engage your donors:

  • Maybe a donation impacts game play by giving someone (donor’s choice?) an extra turn or roll? Or means that someone has to do something silly and challenging, like playing a round wearing oven mitts?
  • You could also simply write the names of all your donors on a piece of paper, and take a photo with the list to share on social media/via email at the end of the night to show your appreciation.
  • Do you have a special cookie recipe? Raise chickens? Have a great sledding hill in your yard? Entice family and friends to donate with an option to win homemade cookies, a dozen eggs, or a sledding invitation for this winter. Think about something similar you might be able to use, and at the end of the night, put your donor names in a hat and draw a winner for your unique, personalized prize!
  • Organize an informal tournament and ask your friends, family, co-workers, or neighbors to join you. Whether you can get together in person or virtually, play some games and agree that everyone makes a small donation to the winner’s page at the end of the night. Bragging rights also included. 🙂

You got this, Team BBCH! No matter what, we hope you have a fun night gaming #ForTheKids at BBCH!
Questions? Don’t hesitate to reach out: Meaghan McNamara, BBCH Philanthropy Specialist, Extra Life