Fundraising Strategies
Peer-to-Peer Fundraising
Online peer-to-peer fundraising is a simple and effective fundraising strategy – now more than ever. When you register for the event on Classy, an online fundraising page is automatically created for you. You should receive an email with a link to “Claim Your Fundraising Page.” You can personalize your page by adding a photo, updating the fundraising goal, and editing the messaging.
If you have trouble with the Classy site, check out our FAQs.
Once you are happy with your page, you can send the link via email or share it on social media. Include photos from a previous Plunge, a story about why you Plunge, or details about your connection to the cause.
Using email and/or social media to ask for donations to your online fundraising page is the quickest and easiest way to fundraise. You may be surprised who will be compelled to donate to the cause you are supporting. Check out our Social Media Toolkit to help us reach more people together than we ever could alone!
Here is a Sample Letter or Email to use as an appeal to potential donors.
Matching Donations
You can double your impact by finding a business willing to match the donations you collect. Many companies will match charitable contributions made by their employees. See if your company (or mom or dad’s company) has a matching funds program for nonprofit organizations. Or, maybe there is a local business who will commit to match your donations up to a certain dollar amount.
Game Night, Book Club, or Movie Night – Virtual or In-Person
Bringing people together to socialize around an activity – in-person or virtually – is an ideal way to get others involved with the cause you are supporting. Connect and play with Pictionary, Trivia, Bingo, online board games, a video-gaming tournament. If gaming isn’t your thing, bring together a group of fellow reading enthusiasts for Book Club. Rather watch a movie? Organize a virtual movie night with an online platform called Netflix Party. Each of these gatherings can be monetized — for a virtual event, suggest that guests donate the amount they would usually spend on the ticket, food or drinks if the meeting was in person; or ask participants to make a donation for entry into the game or club.
Class or Workshop – Virtual or In-Person
Offer your (or someone else’s) expertise to friends and family. Do you (or someone you know) have a skill to share with friends and family? How about cooking, yoga, meditation, exercise, knitting, a foreign language? You can host a class in person, or use a video platform such as Zoom, Google Hangouts, or Facebook or Instagram Live. Ask attendees for a donation to join the workshop.
Offline Donations
Offline donations (cash or checks) can be turned in to the Special Olympics Delaware office. Our address is: Special Olympics Delaware, 619 S. College Ave, Newark, DE 19716.
If mailing in funds, please be sure to include the Offline Donation Form, or a note with information about what the funds are for so that we can be sure to credit them appropriately. Any offline donations not turned in to the SODE office ahead of time can be turned in at check-in during Plunge Weekend. Checks should be made payable to “Special Olympics Delaware.”
Here is a Pledge Form to help you keep track of offline donations.
Connect With Us!
Special Olympics Delaware
619 South College Ave.
Newark, Delaware 19716
302.831.4653