Your Guide
How to Organize a Fundraising Event
Organizing a fundraising event is a great way to channel your passion into an important cause. Learn how you can plan an event to support Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) in its mission of ending cancer for life.
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Step 1
Choose your fundraising event type
Plan a golf outing, cocktail party, or athletic event, or get creative
Any event you’re planning can become a fundraiser for MSK. All ideas are welcome! Below are just a few examples of events that our fundraising community has organized. No matter what you choose, your event will make a difference.
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Golf outing
From the driving range to driving change, golf outings are a great way to support MSK. Get competitive or play for fun! Either way, you’ll be making an impact.
Cocktail party, gala, or lunch
Whether you want to plan the soiree of the century or have a small gathering with friends and family, we can help you transform a cocktail party, gala, or lunch into an MSK fundraiser.
Athletic event
Organize a 5K, set up a tennis tournament, or work with a local fitness studio to offer a donation-based class. Athletic events are a fun way to bring people together to support a great cause.
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Step 2
Register your fundraising event with MSK
Make your event an official MSK fundraiser
Registering your fundraising event with MSK gives you many benefits, including access to our staff and other resources to help you raise more.
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Make it official
When you register your fundraiser, you’ll be able to use MSK’s name and likeness to promote your event.
Your event page
All registered MSK fundraising events have a customizable online page where you can share the event’s details and receive donations. Your page will display the names of your supporters.
Resources and support
Get the help you need to make your fundraising event even more impactful. You’ll have a dedicated MSK Giving contact to answer any questions you have as you plan your fundraiser.
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Step 3
Start planning your event
Let’s do this — together
We look forward to working with you to plan and organize your MSK fundraising event. Find resources below and if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us. Our team is here to help you.
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Resources for any event
Download customized toolkits, logos, and language to make your cancer fundraising event a success.
Event timeline
Check out this fundraising event timeline, a comprehensive to-do list to help you prepare and stay on track for your event.
Your questions answered
Review these frequently asked questions (FAQs) about hosting a cancer fundraising event to benefit MSK.
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Step 4
Mobilize your network
Support from your community – family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, and others – is essential
Sometimes it can be hard to find the right words to ask or thank people for their support. Check out the resources below for language and ideas.
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Browse resources
Social media tips
Social media is an effective tool to garner support from your network. Harness the power of social media using these templates and tips.
Sample solicitation letter
Adapt this solicitation letter template to describe your cancer fundraising event and inspire donors to make a meaningful impact through their support.
Sample thank you letter
This thank you letter template gives an example of a heartfelt way to express gratitude to your donors, acknowledging their generosity and the impact their support makes.
Supporter Story
Rebecca’s Story
After being diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, Rebecca Timlin-Scalera, PhD, started The Cancer Couch Foundation to bring much-needed funding and awareness to late-stage breast cancer research and accelerate the development of new treatments.
Supporter Story
For the kids
It was Billy’s idea to form the Long Island chapter of Mustaches for Kids back in 2007 to help kids with cancer. He’s a teacher, and two of his students were diagnosed with cancer that year, so Billy wanted to do something to help others facing this disease.
Questions? Our team is here to help.
Community Fundraising
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communityfundraising@mskcc.org
call
800-585-4118
More ways to make a difference
Matching gifts
Many companies inspire their employees to donate to causes that mean something to them by matching their gifts. Search for your company and start the gift-matching process.
Donor-advised funds
Recommend a grant through your donor-advised fund to maximize your impact.
See the impact
At MSK, donor contributions fuel a pioneering movement against cancer.
