Are you ready to start fundraising for the Northwestern Medicine Walk & 5K, but aren’t sure where to start? Here are our top 10 tips to help make your fundraising efforts successful.

1. Set goals. 

   Once you register for the Northwestern Medicine Walk & 5K, you can set whatever fundraising goal is comfortable for you. We recommend setting a goal that you think is attainable; then if you reach that goal, you can raise it. You can change your goal at any time.

2. Make your own contribution. 

   Get your fundraising off to a good start by making the first contribution. This will make others more likely to get involved. It doesn’t have to be much — every dollar makes a difference!

3. Grow your team. 

   An easy way to make a big impact on this event is to encourage your friends and family to join you at the event and register to be a part of your team. You can work together to raise funds and enjoy the walk, run and family-friendly festival together!

4. Share your "why".

   Update your personal page to share your reasons for participating in the Northwestern Medicine Walk & 5K. A personal story will make your page more engaging by explaining to family and friends why this specific cause matters to you. That’s what they care about most!

5. Know about Northwestern Medicine Living Well Cancer Resources.

   Highlight some of the programs offered at Living Well Cancer Resources and use those to make specific donation requests. Feel free to use the list below to give examples for a specific dollar amount.

   Gifts of all size make a difference for the patients and families who come to Living Well:

   • $25 could provide a patient with a stress-management treatment like message therapy, reflexology or a facial.
   • $50 could provide plants for the garden, which grows produce for nutrition classes.
   • $75 could provide a new wig for a patient undergoing chemotherapy.
   • $100 could provide services from a social worker to a patient or family member.
   • $225 could pay for one month of art classes for a patient or survivor.
   • $300 could fund one of the many cancer support groups for an entire year.
   • $500 could provide one month of yoga or fitness classes for a patient or survivor.
   • $1,000 could support Back on Track: Surviving Survivorship, an educational series that helps patients transition into survivorship after treatment.
   • $1,500 could support six months of the Beautiful You program, which helps people build self-esteem after cancer treatment.
   • $2,000 could provide one year in the Expressive Art Adventure Program for a young patient or survivor.
   • $2,500 could support a special event like Family Halloween, Holiday Joy party, Caregiver Spa Night or Night of Remembrance.

    

6. Engage your network.

   Start small. First, reach out to your close contacts, such as friends and family, because they are most likely to donate. Send them personalized messages letting them know why you are raising money to support Living Well. Then you can start to connect with more people in your network using email, in-person requests and social media. Check your participant center for email templates that make this step even easier!

7. Use social media. 
   
   After you personally connect with your close contacts, social media is a great tool for engaging a larger group of people. Using Facebook, Instagram, TikTok or LinkedIn, start with a couple of posts that highlight your “why.”
   
   Sample social media posts:
    
   Join me!
   Join me for the 2024 Northwestern Medicine Walk & 5K as I celebrate cancer survivorship and support the programs and services that Northwestern Medicine Living Well Cancer Resources provides at no cost to cancer survivors and their caregivers. There are two ways you can help:

   1. Join me for the Northwestern Medicine Walk & 5K by registering at 2024 Northwestern Medicine Walk & 5K (donordrive.com).
   2. Donate to my personal fundraising page and help me reach my goal of $___ .
      [Customize amount and insert link to personal page].

   Did you know?
   Did you know that a donation of only $75 can provide a wig to a patient undergoing chemotherapy? Through the 2024 Northwestern Medicine Walk & 5K, you and I can help fund important clinical and educational programs at Northwestern Medicine Living Well Cancer Resources like cooking, art or fitness classes. Visit my fundraising page to help provide some much-needed support for cancer patients, cancer survivors and their loved ones. [Insert link to personal page.]

   The facts.
   According to the National Cancer Institute, the number of cancer survivors is predicted to increase by 31% from 2016 to 2026, with 20.3 million cancer survivors estimated in 2026. Many of these survivors depend on services just like those offered at no cost by Northwestern Medicine Living Well Cancer Resources. These services help people facing cancer feel empowered with knowledge, strengthened by action and sustained by the community at Northwestern Medicine. Make a donation to support these efforts here: [Insert link to personal page].

   I'm participating.
   I am participating in the 2024 Northwestern Medicine Walk & 5K to celebrate cancer survivorship! Help me honor cancer survivors in all of our lives by making a donation on the page linked below. All donations directly benefit more than 120 supportive educational and clinical programs and services that Northwestern Medicine Living Well Cancer Resources provides at no cost to patients and families affected by cancer. [Insert link to personal page.]

8. Get creative. 

   Some of our most successful fundraisers got creative in the ways that they suggested donations. You can mow lawns, set up a bake sale for your colleagues at work, host a dinner party and ask each attendee to bring a small donation, and much, much more! The possibilities are endless, so don’t be afraid to get creative.

9. Share your successes.

   Be sure to share your successes and fundraising updates with your supporters and via social media as you hit major milestones ($100, 50% of your goal, 100% of your goal — you get the idea!). Sharing your successes actively involves your network in your journey, encourages donations and could inspire others to support your efforts. You can use some of the gift impact statements from above to let your supporters know what the total amount you’ve raised can do for patients and survivors.

10. Thank your supporters. 

    Be sure to continue thanking your donors all throughout your fundraising efforts, both personally and on social media. A personal thank-you lets your donors know that they helped make a big difference in the lives of the people who rely on Living Well’s programs and services.

Our seasoned fundraising coaches can help you every step of the way.
Our seasoned fundraising coaches can help you every step of the way. Email nmwalkand5k@nm.org with any questions.