Fundraising Strategies
Fundraising on behalf of a patient can be done anywhere in the world. If a patient
has friends or family all over the world, efforts can be coordinated. This document
will give you some idea where to begin.
The first thing to do is open a bank account in the patient’s name. It will be important
for people who wish to wire money to have the Swift code number (non-US bank accounts),
routing number (US bank accounts), or IBIN number (EU).
Plan a fundraising event. The event could be large or very small. Here are
some ideas:
- Find a restaurant willing to donate food or cater for free and a venue that is willing
to host you for free, even a friend’s yard. Charge admission or ask for a suggested
donation.
- Find a restaurant willing to donate food or cater for free and a venue that is willing
to host you for free, even a friend’s yard. Charge admission or ask for a suggested
donation.
- Have the event in your own home! Serve food and drinks, invite friends and ask them
to invite more friends. Set a suggested cover charge or during the party, to the
patient’s story and ask for donations.
Sell small items at a higher price, with the profits going towards the family.
- Buying Mexican handicrafts and selling them to friends and family, or members of
your community.
Solicit donations from your family, friends, faith community, or ethnic community.
- Put together a letter of appeal that tells the story of the patient and requests
donations. Say what the donation will go towards. Send the letter (or e-mail) to
people in your immediate circle, or influential people in the community who might
be willing to donate. If it is an e-mail, ask people to forward it. Pretty soon,
the e-mail will make its way to many people around the world who may want to donate.
Launch a media campaign in your local community. (See “Raising Funds Through a Media
Campaign.”)
Use the internet!
- Create a website to tell the patient’s story and collect donations. Be sure to include
either an address to send checks, an online payment method (like PayPal), or banking
information.
- Make a ‘You-Tube” video of the patient telling his/her story, and asking for help.
Include information about how to send donations. Send the link to friends and family
and ask them to pass it on!
Download and print a copy of this resource.
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