#2 Templates
Example 2A:
Dear (recipient's name),
I am participating in Science-A-Thon, an annual social media event highlighting STEM careers and the value of diversity.
As part of my participation, I am raising funds for three great charities: Girls Who Code (engaging girls in STEM at a young age), the Society of Women Engineers (making a huge impact on college-level engineering), and ESWN (focused on early-career scientists and removing roadblocks for all). 100% of donations to my fundraising site will be distributed to these three worthy organizations.
I'm participating in this event because (personal reason here). Would you be willing to make a donation? My goal is to raise ($2,000... or whatever you choose!), and any amount you could give would be greatly appreciated.
My donation website is: (URL of your personal Crowdrise fundraising page)
I’ll be posting my photos on (Twitter/Instagram/Facebook/other) on (day). If you’re on Instagram or Twitter, you can follow along with the hashtags #dayofscience and #scienceathon.
Thank you for considering this request and joining me in supporting women in STEM!
Best Regards,
(your name)
Example 2b:
The secret ingredient to any successful fundraising campaign is creativity. Some effective ways to put the "fun!" in fundraising are by connecting with your donors personally or by offering incentives! Here are a list of things to keep in mind as you fundraise:
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If you have a personal story — serious or funny — on why you care about the issue you're supporting, share it. Your donors care about you and your experience. Why are you taking time to fundraise?
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Many people are not on Twitter or Instagram — offer to email photos of your #dayofscience or post your day on your Crowdrise site!
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If you have a particularly generous (or competitive!) relative or friend, suggest that they make a challenge grant, like matching gifts or giving $250 if you can raise $500.
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Consider a prize for your donors. Three-time Science-A-Thon participant and member of this year's Science-A-Thon Leadership Team, Jennifer Fehrenbacher, raised $800 during our 2017 event by sending fun, high-resolution downloadable science images to anyone who donated above a certain dollar amount ($5, $10, $25, etc.). This year, she's thinking about giving out stickers featuring forams (the critters that she studies every day as a scientist!).
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Focus on the shared successes — you and your donors are working together to make a difference. Do your best to share your enthusiasm and bring them along, not just on a #dayofscience but on a meaningful initiative to make the world a better place.
Whether your incentive is tangible or intangible, big or small — a small token of appreciation to your generous donors goes a long way!
Featured example (courtesy of Jennifer Fehrenbacher):
Hi Everyone!
I'm participating in this year's Science-A-Thon. I am also on the Leadership Team for the event this year! What is Science-A-Thon? Science-A-Thon is a five-day celebration of science, engineering, technology, and math (STEM!), science professionals, science teachers, science journalists, and anyone else who uses science in their day – from the lab to the field, from learning to teaching, from routine tasks to major discoveries! Learn more about this event: https://www.scienceathon.org
This year, Science-A-Thon is raising money for Girls Who Code, the Society of Women Engineers, and the Earth Science Women's Network (an organization that is near and dear to me... in the early days of grad school I sought input from their email list-serve and feedback helped get me through some rough patches. Since then, the organization has grown and is an amazing resource for women in STEM careers!).
Just like last year, I'll be crowdfunding for the event. My fundraising goal is to surpass funds I raised in the last 2 years combined: $1000. My fundraising campaign for the event is here: https://www.crowdrise.com/o/en/campaign-manager/manage/jenniferfehrenbacher/science-a-thon-2019. Please consider making a donation to this amazing cause!
You can watch my #dayofscience on Twitter: @DeepSeaDrifter
I'll start tweeting in the morning... Oh boy! AND follow other scientists by searching for the hashtags #DayOfScience #ScienceAThon or by following @science_a_thon.
Thank you!
Jenn