Fundraising Made Easy!

Michelle McGowan, top 2008 CMMT fundraiser, raised over $6,000 for the kids!

We are here to help you succeed! Our program provides you with a variety of fundraising tools and tips to guide you every step of the way. Securing pledges is easy than ever with our online fundraising program. You can create your own personalized Web page that you can share with family, friends and colleagues.

How will the funds I raise help children and families?
As a charitable organization, the hospital relies on philanthropic support to sustain and enhance its programs and services. Every dollar you raise will benefit critically ill children and their families. Donations enable Children's Memorial to:

• Offer families the most advanced medical treatments delivered by renowned pediatric experts, spanning over 70 specialty areas.
• Help defray the costs of providing life-saving care to children whose families are of limited financial means.
• Offer the support of our Family Services team, including child life specialists, chaplains, interpreters, social workers, volunteers and tutors.
• Conduct leading-edge research to develop better treatments and potential cures for diseases and illnesses affecting children.

...and much more!
Together we can continue to save and improve children's lives!

Raising money can be easier than you think...it's as easy as ABC!
Here are some great ideas on how you can raise money to support Children's Memorial Hospital.

Ask, ask, ask! ~ "Ask for what you need, not what you think you can get."

Bake Sale ~ Sweets often brighten the day at work and school. Get your co-workers and friends involved and coordinate a bake sale to support your fundraising efforts.

Concession Work ~ Contact professional athletic organizations or your local high school to schedule a day where you can work the concession stand and raise money for the Children's Memorial Marathon Team.

Dinner Party ~ Do you like to cook? Invite your friends and family over for a gourmet meal. You can either sell tickets to the dinner or encourage a donation at the door.

Email Campaign ~ Create your own personalized webpage and send email blasts asking for support.

Family Affair ~ Teach your children the value of philanthropic work by getting the whole family involved. Kids can donate their time by doing odd jobs for friends and family, or even give part of their allowance.

Generate interest by contacting local media outlets and sharing your story with them. Most local publications are always looking for a story angle that includes an individual or family from the area.

House Sit/Baby Sit/Dog Sit ~ Especially in the summer, friends, family and neighbors are always looking for some extra help. Lend a hand and let them know they will be supporting Children's Memorial by giving you something extra!

Intramural Fundraiser ~ Whether it is softball, flag-football or a good old game of kickball, coordinate a fundraising intramural tournament! Charge each individual player an entry fee to support your fundraising campaign and then, play ball!

Jeans Day ~ Everybody loves casual day! Coordinate a day with your office manager where your co-workers can donate $5 or $10 to your fundraising efforts in exchange for a jeans day or dress down day.

Know the important facts of the hospital ~ familiarize yourself with our history, mission and vision so you can share the compelling story with potential donors.

Letter Writing Campaign ~ Send letters to your friends, neighbors, family members and business associates. Many people are excited to support worthy causes! Local businesses are also often willing to help those in the community, just ask! Make it easier for your donors, by providing a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Matching pledges ~ Many employers will match gifts to Children's Memorial Hospital. Have your sponsors check with their human resources departments when they make their donations.

Never underestimate the power of a personal phone call! Call your friends and family and tell them why you are running for Children's Memorial and ask them to support you in your efforts.

Outside of Work ~ Ask for support from clubs or recreational organizations that you belong to outside of work.

Piggy Bank ~ Have you ever realized how quickly change adds up? Decorate a change canister and distribute them at local businesses or at the office and watch your pledges grow!

Quality time at home ~ Send a microwaveable popcorn packet to friends and ask them to relax at home with a good bowl of popcorn and donate what they would've spent if they went out on the town to Children's Memorial.

Rally Parties ~ Contact your favorite bar and grill to schedule a rally party in support of your participation in the Children's Memorial Marathon Team. Most establishments are familiar with this type of event, so you can work with them to create a private fundraising party and have a great time with your friends and family at the same time!

Sponsorship ~ Ask your company to be a monetary sponsor of the CMMT. There are many benefits associated with being a sponsor of the team, so ask your company to share in that spotlight and send a strong message to their customers, clients and employees that they care about their children and families.

Throw a mid-day munchies party at your office and ask everyone to make a donation at the door in exchange for some snacks.

Use your imagination! Be creative and find new and exciting ways to fundraise.

Video ~ Make sure to include the link to the marathon video on the CMMT homepage in all of your email solicitations...what a wonderful way to show what the team is all about!

Work with your favorite restaurant or retail store and ask them to donate a percentage of their sales toward your fundraising goal.

X Marks the Spot ~ In this case, the spot being your online fundraising page. Take the time to really utilize all the pages have to offer, because this is the "homebase" for all of your fundraising efforts. This is the place where you will direct everyone to learn more about the team, the hospital and why you are running.

Yard Sale ~ It's the perfect time of year to sort through those belongings you never use anymore or clothes that have been sitting at the back of the closest. Homemade price tags, lemonade and a warm summer day equals a perfect fundraiser!

Zoom toward your minimum fundraising goal in just 9 days by following the below plan:

   
Be creative, have fun and go the extra mile when developing your fundraising plans.
A little effort goes a long way! If you are planning a rally party, maximize your efforts by incorporating a raffle at the event. If you plan to do an email or letter writing campaign, give your friends and family an incentive to donate now rather waiting till the last minute. Offer a free gift, like a magnet, keychain, or even something that you can make at home like a CD for the first 10 people that donate to you. You can even solicit local businesses to provide you with gift certificates or merchandise to use for these giveaways, raffles, etc. The possibilities are endless!