Fundraising Toolkit
So, you’re registered for Pet Walk. Now what?
Check out the tips & tools we've put together just for you!
Remember, the Wisconsin Humane Society receives no general government funding and is not part of any national umbrella organization. We rely entirely on the generosity of our community and compassionate people like you to provide lifesaving care for more than 40,000 abused and neglected animals every year.
TOP FUNDRAISING TIPS
What's the secret ALL top fundraisers know?
They ask a lot of people for donations and they ask each person more than once.
Use social media!
Promote your team/personal page on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn to reach possible team members and supporters!
Post regular updates about your fundraising progress and the walk.
Always thank your donors publicly on social media & remind everyone how much you have left to hit your goal- it’s a great way to show appreciation and could inspire others to give too!
When your webpage is ready, share it! Copy and paste the link to your page in emails & social media!
Remember, you’re not asking for anything for yourself – you are asking someone to make a donation to improve the lives of animals in our community.
Get your co-workers involved! Ever bring up a co-workers pet and see how quickly they light up talking about them? Animals have that affect on people, and you might be surprised how many of your co-workers want to be part of an event to support their furry family members.
Include your team info in an upcoming newsletter or ask if you can add it to the agenda for a work meeting
Ask your HR director if it can be included in your wellness initiatives or online newsletter
Is your workplace team all ready to go? Start a little friendly competition & make it fun!
Pick a nearby business, another department at your company or another club and set your team’s goal up against theirs! You can compete against the other team to raise the most money or recruit the most members!
Don’t forget to use the power and talents of your entire team to collect donations.
MATCHING GIFTS
Does your company offer matching gifts? If you’re not sure, ask! Just like if you sent in a $25 check to WHS, donations made to Pet Walk are tax-deductible and go right back to supporting the animals! Many generous employers in the Milwaukee area encourage charitable contributions by matching your gift dollar for dollar.
It’s one of the easiest ways to double your impact, PLUS, employer matching gifts count toward Pet Walk fundraising prizes!
RECRUIT YOUR TEAM
It seems simple, but the best way to recruit people to join your team is to ask them!
Simply asking friends or family to join you in the run/walk goes a long way
Think your co-workers would love to participate? The same tools apply to recruiting as it does to fundraising!
Include your team info in an upcoming staff, volunteer, apartment, or community newsletter
Ask your HR director if it can be included in your wellness initiatives
Anyone can register for Pet Walk - and can join us on June 15 or choose to be a virtual walker and participate from anywhere! Participants are encouraged to raise funds for the animals and your team, and all registered participants qualify for fundraising prizes!
Once registered, team captains can also log into the Pet Walk Participant Center to:
Create a team webpage!
Just like your personal event webpage, you can post a picture or your company’s logo, and tell everyone why your team is supporting the animals at WHS
Use our free email tools to recruit team members (see sample emails below)
Set a team fundraising goal and encourage your teammates to collect donations
EMAIL SAMPLES
Below are samples we’ve put together to get you started recruiting your team or collecting donations!
Sample Idea #1: SHARE A STATISTIC
Sharing a statistic with a related donation appeal is an interesting, fresh way to talk about Pet Walk on social media. Bonus: These can also easily be shortened to use on social media!
You and I both know how much I love animals, which is why I’m raising money to support animals in need at the Wisconsin Humane Society through their 2024 Pet Walk MKE. 😊
I’m reaching out to ask if you’ll consider donating to this cause that’s so near and dear to my heart. Not only would your generosity mean the world to me, but it would also greatly impact the lives of so many animals right here in our community.
I’ve listed some suggested donation amounts below, with regard to the incredible milestones that the Wisconsin Humane Society made last year, but please feel free to give a gift that’s most meaningful to you.
- Donating just $11 helps signify the 11,809 animals that were placed in their forever homes last year.
- Contributing $46 shows support to the 4,650 animals that were admitted to WHS’s wildlife hospital. Yes, they help more than just cats and dogs!
- A gift of $51 reflects the 5,150 animals placed in foster homes to receive additional care before being adopted into loving families.
Will you consider making a donation? You can visit my fundraising page here [INSERT FUNDRAISING PAGE LINK] to make your gift.
I appreciate you taking the time to read my email and am here to answer any questions you may have.
Thanks!
_____________________
Sample #2: DONATION ASK EMAIL
Subject Line: Will you help animals in need?
To My Family, Friends, and Co-Workers,
I’m so excited to share that I’ve joined the Wisconsin Humane Society’s 2024 Pet Walk MKE on June 15 and will be walking to support animals in need. ❤
As you may know, the Wisconsin Humane Society provides shelter, care, and support to animals and their families throughout the state of Wisconsin. This means the money raised through efforts like Pet Walk gets put to work immediately by providing urgent medical treatments and services for the more than 40,000 animals that WHS cares for annually.
I’ve set an ambitious fundraising goal of [$______] to support the Wisconsin Humane Society’s mission of making a difference for animals and the people who love them, but I can’t reach it without you! Will you help me help animals in need? Whether you want to walk alongside me at Milwaukee's lakefront on June 15 or prefer to simply make a donation, you can do either by visiting my fundraising page here [INSERT PERSONAL URL].
I appreciate you taking the time to read my email, and please reach out with any questions you may have. Together, we can make a positive impact for animals in need 😊
