Fundraising on Firstgiving

Firstgiving is a simple website that anyone can use to raise funds for Acumen Fund. 

• Do I need to run to raise money on Firstgiving?
• How to set up your fundraising page
• When to start
• Getting the word out

Do I need to run to raise money on Firstgiving?

There's no limit on the type of activities or events you want to tie your fundraising to - triathlons, trekking, skydiving, mountain climbing, etc.  And you can also fundraise without tying it to any specific activity or event.  Some ideas include using it as an alternative to birthday/wedding/anniversary/holiday gifts.

How to set up your fundraising page

Setting up your own fundraising page is easy!

• Go to http://www.firstgiving.com/acumenfund and click “Get Started”
• Follow the steps to register
• Personalize your fundraising page – We recommend making the pitch personal – i.e. about you and why you’re excited about Acumen Fund.  You can also embed pictures or videos on your page to help bring things to life

When to Start

It is never too late - Sara Azout, a senior at Brown University, raised over $1,000 in less than 24 hours simply by asking her friends and family to donate $10 each. 

However, you probably want to start emailing people a month or two in advance of your activity – climb, walk, run, fundraising day, etc. 

Getting the word out

To get donations, you need to get people to visit your page! 

Consider sending three different emails out:

• 1 month in advance:      Announce what you’re doing and why;
• 2 weeks before:            Give an update on the preparations and remind people to contribute if they haven’t
• 1 week before:             Ask for last minute contributions. 
  

Then when you come back, don’t forget to drop a note to all your supporters to report back on the success of your activity and thank them.

One other communications trick that’s worked for other people is to embed a link to your FirstGiving page in your email signature.  Something that says: “I’m raising money for Acumen Fund by <insert an activity>.  Help me reach my goal <insert link to your page>.”

Besides email, in person visits and phone calls have also been known to drive donations.