Thank you for fundraising to support DogFest and Canine Companions. Your fundraising dollars make an impact - placing more service dogs with children, adults and veterans with disabilities free of charge.

Below are a few tips to boost your fundraising efforts.

Use Our Hashtag

Share your photos with us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Don't forget to tag DogFest and use #canineDogFest to show your support.

Customize Your Personal Fundraising Page
Tell people why you're passionate about raising money for DogFest and Canine Companions and the impact dogs make on your life. You can even post a photo or video of you and your furry friends!

Send Emails
Your Participant Center is filled with email templates you can use to let your friends, family and colleagues know you're participating in DogFest and ask for their support!
If you prefer to send messages directly from your email account instead, remember to include a link to your personal fundraising page - just copy and paste the URL right into your email!

Start a Facebook Fundraiser
Fundraise with social media by creating a Facebook fundraiser your entire network can see! Any donations you receive show up automatically on your fundraising page. Facebook makes it super easy, and we highly recommend you give it a try!

• After you register for DogFest, you will be prompted to create a Facebook Fundraiser. If you skipped this step and want to set it up now, just go to your personal page and then select “Manage My Page” and then “Create a Facebook Fundraiser.” Then just follow the steps and donations will follow.
• Once your fundraiser is created, you can update the photos and content!  Remember to share why you are participating in DogFest, and how their support can make a difference!

Donate to Yourself
The easiest way to jump start your fundraising efforts is to be the first one to donate! It's easier to ask for a donation if you can speak from experience, and it shows a dedication to your cause. Collect your loose change or skip buying coffee for a few weeks! What you might consider small, makes an impact! Simply visit your personal page and click the "Donate Now" button at the top.

Set a Fundraising Goal
Share your goal with friends, family and coworkers so they can help you achieve it.

Don't Be Afraid to Ask
Make a list of everyone you'd like to ask to donate. Don't forget, it takes up to three asks to get a response! To get started, make a list of people to ask for support, such as:

• Family
• Friends
• Neighbors
• Coworkers
• Member of groups you're apart of
• Businesses you frequent

Keep in mind, the #1 reason people give for not making a donation: they were never asked!

Write a Letter
Pick up a pen and personalize your letter with details about yourself and the reasons you're supporting DogFest and Canine Companions - you might even want to include pictures of your dog or a dog that has made an impact on your life - a childhood dog, your own dog, a friend's dog, a therapy dog, a service dog. Remember your audience when you are crafting your letter - tailor it to fit friends, family, business owners, coworkers, etc. Consider enclosing a self-addressed, stamped envelope to make it easier for them to contribute if they prefer to write a check (payable to Canine Companions) rather than donating online. You'll find your response rate is much better with a letter.

Matching Gifts
Many companies offer matching gifts to employees who fundraise for an amazing cause. This is a great way to double your impact! Reach out to your HR department and check with your friends and family to see if their companies do this as well.

Say Thank You
Whether you do it through a handwritten card, via email or by tagging someone on a social media post don't forget to say thank you! You can find thank you email templates in your Participant Center, which makes this part quick and easy. Don't forget a personal note to make your donors feel special. Placing hundreds of service dogs every year is only possible because of generous donors and - YOU!