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Comments(0)Harbor to the Bay is a unique organization. Everybody involved in the planning and execution of this endurance-based fundraising event does so on a volunteer basis. Nobody is paid a salary and 100% of the money raised by the participants is paid to the event’s official beneficiaries. Many people still say it can’t be done and that because you have to use some of the proceeds to cover your own expenses people are reluctant to donate. We have proved them wrong year after year.
We couldn’t do it without you. Harbor to the Bay does have a dedicated core group of participants that has been riding with us every year since our first ride in 2003. Each year we also attract many new participants that may not have much experience, if any, in conducting a fundraising campaign. Since everything hits the fan after the fourth of July holiday, now is a good time to start thinking about getting started.
Grassroots fundraising means you will be reaching out to your personal and professional networks to recruit their members as donors and fundraisers and they in turn pass the message on to their networks, and so on, creating a chain reaction where your message reaches a wide population of donors. You can be much more successful, and your fundraising can be much less stressful if you have a plan.
(Based on “A First-Timer’s Guide to Event-Based Nonprofit Fundraising” by Maksim Kalashnikov, April 2007)
Determine your Target Audience.
Create an inventory of all your networks such as: family, friends in Massachusetts, friends in New Hampshire, friends in California, college friends, work friends, members of any club or organization you belong to, etc.
Sequencing.
Filter out those networks that for whatever reason you don’t want to include in this campaign. Sort the remaining networks into an order in which you will reach out to them. Your family and close friends may be willing to donate just because you’ve asked and they will forgive you if your technique is not yet perfected. Reach out to that most loyal group first. Not only can you use them to test and hone your communications, but this will build up your fundraising totals so that you can reach out to those networks who will be more willing to donate once they see that your campaign has gained momentum.
Timing.
Use your networks wisely and not too frequently. For each network, time your campaign to avoid conflicts with vacations, school, exams, other people’s fundraising and anything else that may compete for your donors’ attention and dollars.
Channels.
Figure out the best method for the contact, such as e-mail, telephone or face-to-face. Sending one e-mail message to a whole group of potential donors is the most popular way of grassroots solicitation. Recipients can then easily forward your message to their friends. Use the link to your donation page on the Harbor to the Bay website in your e-mail message. Consider following up on your e-mail with a phone call or in-person reminder. Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and any other popular online networking sites have proven to be invaluable.
Crafting the Communication.
Donors get tons of mail every day. Make your message brief, with the most important information at the top and the weight at the front of each paragraph. Your message can be short because you can include a link to forward your donors to the website. Here is a link to 3 templates that we previously posted. You should be able to easily adapt these to your needs.
Anchoring.
You may anchor the donors’ expectations about the amount you would like them to donate. The Harbor to the Bay website helps you do this by providing a personal donation page that displays your fundraising progress and the goal you have set for yourself. Personalize your Harbor to the Bay donation page by including your own photo, personal fundraising message and fundraising goal.
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September 12, 2009 has approximately 12 and a half hours of daylight with sunrise being at 6:21am. The ride day agenda below reflects an earlier start time to provide as much time as possible for those starting at Copley Square to complete the ride. Street lights will provide more than enough light at the start and by the time riders are away from the city the sun will be up.
5:45AM - Opening Ceremony begins in Copley
6:00AM - Fast Riders depart
6:15AM - All riders have departed Copley
9AM - Riders prep at Sagamore
9:30AM - Ride Out Speech at Sagamore
9:45AM - Fast Riders depart
10:00AM - All riders have departed Sagamore
Cape Inn open to receive riders: 1PM to 6:45PM
7:00PM - Riders Depart Boatslip (may be slightly later)
7:20PM - Riders enter Boat Slip
7:30PM - Closing Ceremony opens
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Harbor to the Bay requires that all participants view the Biking Safety Video. This video is now online at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-SX5L1i42Y
or
http://video.yahoo.com/watch/5252267/13858278
If you view the video online you won’t need to see it in person. We’ll have you sign a statement that you viewed it when you check-in. If you are unable to view it online, don’t worry you can still see it at a pre-ride check-in event. Those locations and dates will be announced later.
You can also read up on the Massachusetts Bike Laws and the new changes in the law effective in 2009.
We get many questions about how you can meet other H2B participants. Our NEW DISCUSSION FORUM is one way you can find that riding buddy, put together a team, look to join a team, talk about fundraising or just talk about H2B. It’s part of the Harbor to the Bay Blog so you’ll need to register there to post in the forum. Your Harbortothebay.org login won’t work there.
http://www.harbortothebay.net/forum/
Talk about a grand entrance—you and a convoy of your fellow bikers all escorted into the city by experienced cycling guides. Really, how could you pass that up?
What’s more, at City Hall Plaza you can enjoy a free breakfast burrito and yogurt parfait courtesy of Boloco, tour the Bike Expo featuring tons of great gear from local bike shops all while listening to WZLX live. And still get to work on time.
That’s the deal on Bike Fridays.
Convoys leave at 6:45AM from various locations in and around Boston including Newton, Brookline, Belmont, Cambridge, Lexington, Arlington, Somerville, Dorchester, Jamaica Plain, West Roxbury, Roslindale, Allston, Brighton and many more. You arrive, non-stop, at City Hall Plaza by 8:15.
If you are having trouble coming up with a fundraising letter or email for you campaign maybe one of these 3 will inspire you (Word doc). Feel free to use them in any way or mix and match parts from the three of them.
Hey H2B Crew and Riders!
Check out all the cool stuff that CRI is up to! Coming up this Tuesday, 6/16 is a great evening with CRI to learn how to boost your fundraising - and we all need that when people are so spooked about the economy! Fortunately, H2B is the best kind of charity that people will donate to - and, our beneficiaries, like CRI, are geniuses at helping you learn how to approach donors.
If you haven’t met them yet, Anne Habel, Erin Molloy, and the CRI folks are super sweet, and they’re always looking to help other H2B’ers! So, contact Erin Molloy and join us next Tuesday!
Thanks!
Eric Santamaria
EricSantamaria@harbortothebay.org
PS - If you’re new to H2B for 2009, this is a great way to “reach out” and get wrapped in with some great folks! I’ve already met a lot of our newbies, and I can’t wait to see how successful you will be!
PPS - HAPPY PRIDE! Look for us in the Parade! And, cheer loud because I’ve got some hot guys and gals to dress up in H2B Gear! I ain’t too proud to use Team Revfit to get attention!
PPPS! - If you haven’t signed up for 2009 Ride, move fast! We’ve seen a huge increase in registrations with the nice weather. We’re definitely going to book up again this year, so don’t wait too long!