Top 12 Cancer Fundraising Tips

Whether you’re new to fundraising or a pro, we’ve got some proven ideas to help you maximize contributions for cancer research and patient care at MSK.

  1. Set a goal
  • Keep your eye on the prize—make sure your goal is attainable and remember that it is adjustable.
  • Getting close to your goal? Why not up it 10%? 

 

  1. Make it personal 
  • Tell your story, update your page, and build momentum! Just log in to your Fundraising Center to do it. 
  • It’s good to share. Creating a custom URL makes it instantly sharable and “giftable.” 

 

  1. Motivate supporters
  • Remind donors that 100% of every dollar donated goes directly to life-changing cancer research at MSK. 
  • Share with your donors that all donations made directly to MSK are 100% tax deductible. 

 

  1. Be a leader!
  • Make the first gift—and inspire others to follow.   

 

  1. Make the ask
  • If you feel funny asking for money, download the easy-to-use email templates in the Fundraising Center and personalize them. 
  • You can also find additional templates to help you make your ask here.
  • Start simple, ask your family and closest friends first. But don’t forget to cast your net wide—because some gifts come from where we least expect them to. 

 

  1. Meet face-to-face
  • Remember, online asks aren’t for everyone. 
  • Ask a potential donor for coffee—making time to personally engage with prospective donors is the most effective fundraising tool around. 

 

  1. Celebrate a special event
  • Donate your birthday, anniversary, or any other special occasion to MSK—and ask people to give in amount of the year you are celebrating (or more). 
  • A 25th birthday or 10 cancer-free years, for example, pair with $25 or $10 gifts. What’s your number? 

 

  1. Host an event
  • From a bake sale to brunch to an all-out party, events of every size rally people around the cause while raising funds.   

 

  1. Double your impact
  • Some employers match employee charitable gifts up to a specific amount. Check with your company’s HR department, and ask your donors to check with theirs, to see if employers will double, or even triple a gift. 

 

  1. Get technical
  • Create a custom QR code leading to your fundraising page. This is a practical way to help loved ones navigate to your page in-person.   

 

  1. Show your gratitude
  • Thank your donors, early and often. An update and a shout-out on social media or a personalized thank you email builds your community. There are great email templates for you in your Fundraising Dashboard. 

 

  1. Get social
  • Drive traffic to your fundraising page with a social media post or email—it’s fun and it keeps things lively. 
  • Be mindful of timing when sharing your page. Consider when your supporters are most likely to see a post or read an email. Pro tip—rainy days and Thursday afternoons are a great time to capture your audience! 

 

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Community Fundraising
call 800-585-4118

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