Fundraising for a mission you care about is easier than you think. You will likely be surprised by how quickly funds will be raised when we all work together. And working together, we will raise enough to support an entire school for a full year. That means hundreds of students will be empowered to succeed and thousands of hours of support will be provided because of you!
The number one reason people give is because they are asked. Being asked directly and personally by someone you know and trust usually gets the best results. We hope you will give it a try!
As you are thinking about your message, here are some impact numbers related to CIS of Kalamazoo that you may wish to include in your ask:
- $200 provides support to an entire school for a day
- $100 provides a therapy session for a student in need of mental health support
- $50 provides warm winter gear for a student
- $30 provides personalized academic, attendance, and behavioral support to a student for a week
- $10 provides support to a CIS student for a day
We have pulled together some resources and tools to help guide you through fundraising. Be sure to click the hyperlinks for great information!
Tools available:
- Online platform through JustGiving – share your link through your social media or email
- Tips from JustGiving
- FUNdraising ideas
- Sample messages (see below)
- Tips through our Walking With Purpose weekly emails
- Downtown Kalamazoo scavenger hunt 10/17-10/31 (make it a fundraiser!)
- WMU concessions opportunity
- Team challenge – stay tuned for a fundraising team challenge coming soon!
- Learn more about CIS
Sample fundraising messages:
Option 1:
I am excited to join others in our community to walk with purpose to benefit students in Kalamazoo through Communities In Schools of Kalamazoo (CIS). CIS is a local non-profit that works with students to help them overcome barriers that stand between them and a brighter future.
This October, I am working together with other community members to walk a cumulative 12,000 miles. The miles are symbolic of the 12,000 students that CIS (and I) supports!
It takes a community to support our students and it will take a community to reach our goals. My personal goal is to walk [xx] miles and raise $[xxxx]. Will you help me get to my goal? Here is a link to my fundraising page: [insert link].
Thank you for your support and consideration.
P.S. A note regarding your gift: Communities In Schools appreciates that you are making a gift because of your connection to me, and will not add you to a mailing list without your permission. You will receive an electronic version of their annual report next year. You also will be provided an opportunity to opt in to their email list, and I encourage you to take it!
If you prefer to send a check, please include a note that you are sponsoring my miles and mail it to:
Communities In Schools of Kalamazoo
180 E. Water Street, Suite 2000
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
Option 2:
Walking at high school graduation is a powerful experience. I remember it well, and remember feeling like it was the most important walk of my life. And in many ways, it was.
That’s why I’m so passionate about the mission of Communities In Schools of Kalamazoo (CIS), which empowers students to succeed so that they too can walk at their graduation. CIS helps level the playing field by removing barriers so that all students stay on track toward graduation. Because I feel so strongly about providing the very best opportunities for the kids in our community, I’m excited to join together with hundreds of others to walk 12,000 miles – with purpose – in support of these students. Our goal of 12,000 miles walked over the month of October is symbolic of the 12,000 students that attend the 22 schools that CIS (and I!) supports. My personal goal is to walk [xxx] miles and raise at least $[x,xxx].
It takes a community to support our students and it will take a community to reach our goals. Will you support this effort by making a donation today? I’m hoping to get each mile I walk sponsored for $[xx]. Click here to donate online [insert your fundraising page link]
Thank you in advance for your support! We walk now, so that students can walk at graduation and into a brighter future of their own design.
Thank you
P.S. A note regarding your gift: Communities In Schools appreciates that you are making a gift because of your connection to me, and will not add you to a mailing list without your permission. You will receive an electronic version of their annual report next year. You also will be provided an opportunity to opt in to their email list, and I encourage you to take it!
If you prefer to send a check, please include a note that you are sponsoring my miles and mail it to:
Communities In Schools of Kalamazoo
180 E. Water Street, Suite 2000
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
Option 3 (for text messages): Hi [name]! I’m participating in a 12,000-mile walking and fundraising challenge this month. It’s a team effort and my personal goals are [xx] miles and $[xxx]. Here I am, [explain photo]. With my miles, I’m raising money for Communities In Schools of Kalamazoo. CIS is embedded inside schools to help students stay in school. Will you cheer me on by making a donation of $[xx] to my effort? Thank you!
Another version:
Hi [name]! I’m walking [xx] miles this month to raise awareness and funds for a very important purpose: eliminating barriers so that students succeed in school and graduate. Will you cheer me on with a donation of $30? For just $30 a week, a student receives individual, personalized support for academics, attendance, physical and mental health, food security, warm winter clothing, and much more. Learn more using the link below. Thank you! For the donation amount, choose whatever you think best for each person. You could connect it to your mileage goal overall or for this week, to an impact number, or any other number that has meaning to you or the person you’re texting.
