Champion for change

Asking for donations

Personalized emails and phone calls are great ways to continue online fundraising, personal asks go a long way! When approaching people for online donations, consider asking family and friends and even neighbours or colleagues.

Here’s how you can encourage people to support your fundraising:

• Share why. Let your network know why you are participating in the Champion for Change! Sharing your personal connection to the support of exploited individuals only strengthens your fundraising.

• Be enthusiastic! Tell people about the work that Lighthouse Voyage is doing! We have been able to set up 3 safe homes and rescue 900 individuals and help them to meet their basic needs, receive healthcare and education and help set them up for success in their future careers!

• Follow up. Life gets busy, and often, people could use the reminder to donate.

Here is a sample message you edit and make your own to share with your friends and family:

Hello!

This summer, I am participating in Champion for Change to support Lighthouse Voyage whose mission is to champion the full potential of exploited individuals. Lighthouse Voyage operates out of Calgary, AB but partners with local organizations in India to rescue, rehabilitate, and educate women and children who have been impacted by exploitation. 

I will be participating in Champion for Change by running 10 KM and raising funds for Lighthouse Voyage! Would you consider supporting me by donating $50, $100 or $200?

I’ve included a link to my fundraising page where you can make your donation online.

Thank you! Your generosity makes a big difference!

Fundraising Checklist

• Set your Fundraising goal

• Register as an individual or a team and create your fundraising page (Need help? CLICK HERE for instructions to set up your page)

• Kick start your fundraising with a self-donation

• Compile a list of prospective donors. Think about who is in your circle, could be friends, family, co-workers, classmates, teachers, service providers, clubs and groups, and so much more!

• Send a personal invite to each of the people on your list and invite them to donate to your fundraising page. Call, text, email, DM - just make sure to keep it personal and avoid sending a big group message

• Follow up with a personal reminder

• Share your fundraising page on social media

• Update your email signature to let people know you are participating in Champion for Change and invite them to donate

• Check if your company offers corporate matching

Fundraising Ideas

• Give up something that costs you regularly like coffees, takeout meals, new clothing shopping etc. until Champion for Change and donate the money you are saving

• Celebrating a birthday or anniversary? In lieu of gifts, ask your friends and family to donate to your personal fundraising page.

• Level up your challenge by doing something extreme. Get creative with this one! Dye your hair green, wear a ridiculous costume for an entire day or shave a long beard. Pick a challenge and collect pledges from loved ones.

• Create a Champion for Change posters and display it inside your lunchroom at work. Add a personal touch to let your colleagues know that you are collecting donations. Decorate a jar or donation box or add a QR code on your poster directing people to your fundraising page.

• Host a bottle drive and donate the proceeds to your fundraising page

• Host a garage sale fundraiser