Lehigh Valley Health Network Marathon for Via
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Fundraising Tools – Getting Started

I walk to strengthen my community.

Countdown to the Marathon:

Step 1: Create Your Own Webpage
Now that you are registered, you have access to your
Personal Fundraising Headquarters. Login to your site and you can:

• Design a personal webpage page in less than 10 minutes.
• Add your personal story and upload pictures to make your webpage reflect why you are walking.
• Upload your personal email address book to help you fundraise. Remember to include:
  • Friends
  • Family
  • Holiday Card List
  • Sports Team Roster
  • Co-workers
• Send emails to your family, friends and colleagues asking & thanking them for their donations
• Monitor your fundraising & team recruitment progress

Step 2: Start Fundraising
Letter writing & email campaigns are the most effective fundraising methods! Here’s a simple how-to for letter campaigns:

• Write a short letter
  • Here is a sample form letter and there is an email letter template online at your Personal Fundraising Headquarters.
• Tell why you are participating
• Tell them your fundraising goal & ask for a specific amount
• Provide facts about the services & programs Via provides to the community
• Be sure to include that donations are tax deductible and that checks should be made to Via Events, Inc.

Step 3: Turning in Your Donations
If your donors make a donation online, your Personal Fundraising Headquarters will automatically be credited. Donations made online are typically 40% higher than those made by other means. If your donors give you cash, check or credit card donations, please fill out a donation form (included) to ensure that you and/or your team are properly credited for their donation. Donations may be handed in at the walk or they can be mailed to: Via of the Lehigh Valley, Inc. | Attn: Gina Stano | 336 West Spruce Street | Bethlehem, PA 18018.

Matching Gifts
Double your gift! Check to see if your company will match your contribution. You may be able to complete your request online or you may need to get paperwork from your Human Resources department. Please be sure to read and follow your company guidelines. Remember to ask your family, friends and other donors to check to see if their employer will match their donation.

Step 4: Write Thank You Notes
After the event, be sure to thank everyone who supported you. Send a thank you note, acknowledging their donation and/or participation on your team. Express how your supporters helped make a difference for your family and/or the community. Thank you can never be said too many times. This shows them that they helped make a difference and ensures their support in the future.

Why Letters & Emails Work
The money raised by walkers accounts for approximately 80% of the walk revenue. Letter writing works as an effective fundraising technique because it hones in on basic fundraising principles: asking is the key to fundraising and people give to people. Letter writing puts a face & a story to a walker’s fundraising efforts. It provides a safe forum to tell a personal story and ask for financial support for Via.

For more information, contact:
Gina Stano, Special Events
g.stano@vianet.org | 484-893-5389

The LVHN Marathon raises money for Via of the Lehigh Valley’s programs for children and adults with disabilities. Help build a stronger community, a community that provides opportunities for children and adults of all ability levels, a community that provides resources to help people live, work and connect in their neighborhoods, and a community that embraces all of its members. Learn more about Via's programs.