Fundraising Tips and Tools

Everyone has a story. And for animal lovers, chances are that story includes a pet—or two!—who has made an unforgettable impact on your life. That story is one of your best fundraising tools.

As you raise funds for the 2026 Heart & Sole Walk for Animals, share why you're walking, who you're walking for, or what the Potter League means to you. When your fundraising comes from the heart, people have a reason to connect with your story—and a reason to support you.

And remember: every gift adds up. The funds you raise help the Potter League provide compassionate care for animals in need while supporting programs and services that help pets and the people who love them throughout our community.

You don't need to be a fundraising expert to make a difference. Start with the people you know, share your fundraising page, tell your story, and don't be afraid to ask. You may be surprised by how many people are happy to support you when they know why Heart & Sole matters to you.

Ready to get started? Use the resources on this page to help you reach—and maybe even surpass—your goal. Download the 2026 Fundraising Toolkit for tips and ideas, grab the Team Captain Packet if you’re leading a team, or use the Offline Donation Form to keep track of cash and check donations.

Need a hand along the way? The Heart & Sole team is happy to help at walkforanimals@potterleague.org

Thank you for putting your heart—and sole!—into helping animals. Happy fundraising!

Ready to spread the word? We’ve made it easy! Use the shareable graphics and sample messages below to tell your friends, family, coworkers, and followers why you’re participating in Heart & Sole—and invite them to support your fundraising goal.

Choose your favorite graphic below, click to open the high-resolution version, then save it to your device and start sharing on social media along with your personal or team fundraising link. Pair it with one of our sample posts, customize the wording, or write something completely your own.

Use #HeartAndSoleWalk2026 and tag @potterleague when you post so we can follow along and share the Heart & Sole love!

Shareable Graphics

Facebook Cover Photo

Instagram & Facebook Story Graphics

Social Media Post Square Graphics

Sample Text for Social Posts

Get inspired and start fundraising! Use these posts as a starting point—fill in the blanks, add your own story, or make them completely your own. And don’t forget to include the link to your fundraising page!

Post 1: Announce Your Fundraiser
I’m putting my heart (and sole!) into helping animals! I’m participating in the Potter League’s Heart & Sole Walk for Animals and raising funds to help animals in need. Will you help me reach my goal? Every donation makes a difference!
[Insert your fundraising link]
#HeartAndSoleWalk2026

Post 2: Make It Personal
I’m walking for [pet’s name]. [Share a sentence about why they’re special to you.] In their honor, I’m raising funds for the Potter League’s Heart & Sole Walk for Animals to help other animals get the care and support they need. Will you help me reach my goal?
[Insert your fundraising link]
#HeartAndSoleWalk2026

Post 3: Show the Impact
My Heart & Sole fundraising goal is $[goal], and every dollar gets me closer! Funds raised help the Potter League provide food, shelter, veterinary care, behavior support, and more for animals in need, while also supporting programs for pets and the people who love them. Want to help me make an impact?
[Insert your fundraising link]
#HeartAndSoleWalk2026

Post 4: Let Your Pet Do the Asking
Hi, it’s [pet’s name]. Apparently my human is raising money for the Potter League’s Heart & Sole Walk for Animals, and I’ve been put in charge of fundraising. My goal is $[goal], which sounds like a lot of treats. Will you help us get there?
[Insert your fundraising link]
#HeartAndSoleWalk2026

Post 5: Celebrate Your Progress
Look what you’ve helped me do! I’ve raised $[amount] toward my $[goal] Heart & Sole fundraising goal. THANK YOU to everyone who has donated so far! I’m not done yet—who wants to help me get a little closer?
[Insert your fundraising link]
#HeartAndSoleWalk2026

Post 6: The “Almost There” Ask
So close! I’m just $[amount] away from my Heart & Sole fundraising goal. Can you help me cross the finish line? $5, $10, $25—it all adds up to make a difference for animals who need us.
[Insert your fundraising link]
#HeartAndSoleWalk2026

Post 7: The Final Push
The Heart & Sole Walk is almost here, and I have one last goal before Walk day: $[amount] to go! If you’ve been meaning to donate, now’s the time. Your gift will help the Potter League care for animals in need and provide vital resources for pets and people throughout our community. Let’s finish strong!
[Insert your fundraising link]
#HeartAndSoleWalk2026

Set up Your Page

Once you register for Heart & Sole, you’ll have your own fundraising page to personalize. Add a favorite photo, set a goal, and share why you’re walking. Your story is one of your best fundraising tools, so make it personal!

Make the First Gift

Kick-start your fundraising by making the first gift to your own page. Even a small donation shows your commitment, gets your total moving, and encourages others to follow your lead.

Make it a Team Effort

Rally your friends, family, coworkers, or fellow animal lovers and create a team! The team captain should register first, create the team, and invite others to join. Set a team goal, aim high, and have some fun reaching it together.

Ask for Donations

The simplest fundraising advice? Ask! Start with family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers. Tell them why you’re walking and invite them to support your goal. You may be surprised by how many people are happy to help.

Send Emails

Use your Fundraising Dashboard or your personal email to spread the word. Share your story, include a link to your fundraising page, and make your ask personal. Group emails are great for reaching more people, but individual messages can make an even bigger impression.

Share the Impact

Let your supporters know what their gifts make possible. Funds raised through Heart & Sole help provide food, shelter, veterinary care, enrichment, and behavior support for animals in need while also supporting community programs like spay and neuter services, wellness clinics, pet food assistance, humane education, and more.

$25 can provide one day of food and shelter for an animal
$50 can provide five rabies vaccines
$100 can provide seven microchips
$250 can provide a spay/neuter surgery
$500 can provide dental care for an animal
$1,000+ can help provide lifesaving medical care for animals with the greatest needs

Every gift adds up to make a meaningful difference for animals.

Set up a Facebook Fundraiser

Connect a Facebook fundraiser directly to your Heart & Sole fundraising page and make it even easier for friends and family to support you. Check out our step-by-step instructions and FAQs to get started.

Get More Social!

Share why you’re walking on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and wherever you connect with friends and family. Post photos, share updates, celebrate milestones, and always include your fundraising link. Use #HeartAndSoleWalk2026 and tag @potterleague so we can follow along and share!

Ask Again

People are busy, and sometimes they simply need a reminder. Keep your supporters updated on your progress and don’t be afraid to ask again. Try a specific update like “I’m halfway there!” or “Only $100 to go!” And remember—there are fundraising prizes up for grabs!

Make It Personal

A personal touch can go a long way. Send a handwritten note, make a phone call, send a text, or ask someone in person. Share why Heart & Sole matters to you and why their support would mean so much.

Say Thank You

Always thank your donors! An email, note, text, social shoutout, or simple thank-you lets them know how much you appreciate their support. And when you hit your goal, celebrate with the people who helped you get there!

Looking for another way to reach your goal? Get creative! Whether you’re fundraising on your own, with a team, at work, or in your community, there are plenty of ways to turn something you already enjoy into support for animals.

Celebrate for a Cause
Have a birthday, anniversary, or other special occasion coming up? Ask friends and family to support your Heart & Sole fundraiser in lieu of gifts.

Put Your Talents to Work
Photography, dog walking, yard work, baking, crafting—you’ve got skills! Offer your time or talents in exchange for a donation to your fundraiser.

Host a Sale
Turn treats, crafts, books, clothing, or other treasures into donations. Try a bake sale, yard sale, used-book sale, craft sale, or another sale that fits your crowd.

Plan a Night of Fun
Host a trivia night, karaoke night, game night, movie night, or themed party and ask guests to make a donation to participate. Make it pet-themed for a little extra Heart & Sole spirit!

Get Your Workplace Involved
Rally your coworkers with a casual day, bake sale, lunch-in challenge, themed dress-up day, department competition, or another workplace fundraiser.

Start Some Friendly Competition
Challenge another team, department, family, or group of friends to see who can raise the most. Or create mini challenges within your own team to keep everyone motivated.

Partner with a Local Business
Ask a favorite restaurant, brewery, shop, gym, or other local business if they’ll host a fundraising night or donate a portion of sales to your fundraiser.

Ask About Matching Gifts
Your donation—or your donors’ gifts—could go twice as far! Check whether your employer offers a charitable matching gift program and encourage your supporters to do the same.

Put Your Pet to Work
Host a pet photo contest, let your pet “ask” for donations on social media, or promise donors a ridiculously cute photo in return for their support. Sometimes the four-legged fundraiser is the most convincing one.

Add Your Fundraiser Everywhere
Add your fundraising link to your email signature, share it in group chats, post it on social media, or include a QR code on a flyer at your workplace or local business (with permission).

Try a Fundraising Challenge
Pick a number and make an ask around it: “Can 10 people give $10 today?” or “I need five $20 donations to hit $500!” Giving people a specific challenge can make it easier to jump in.

Ask Someone New
Think beyond your usual circle. Ask a business you frequent, your veterinarian, neighbors, former coworkers, club members, teammates, or someone whose fundraiser you’ve supported in the past.

Ask Again!
Don’t assume someone isn't interested because they didn't respond the first time. People are busy! Share an update, celebrate your progress, and give them another opportunity to support you.

Keep Your Why Front and Center
Tell people why you care. Share a favorite pet story, walk in honor or memory of an animal you love, or explain why supporting animals matters to you. Your personal connection is one of your most powerful fundraising tools.

Want to give your fundraising a quick boost? Take the challenge! Try one simple ask each day for 10 days and see how quickly those gifts add up.

Day 1: Lead the way! Make the first donation to your own fundraising page and show your supporters you’re committed.

Day 2: Ask two family members to support your fundraiser.

Day 3: Ask a friend who loves animals to make a gift.

Day 4: Ask five coworkers to donate $10 or $20 each.

Day 5: Ask your employer to make a company contribution—or find out whether they offer matching gifts.

Day 6: Reach outside your usual circle. Ask someone from a club, gym, sports team, neighborhood group, or other community you’re part of.

Day 7: Post your fundraising page on social media and tell everyone why you’re walking.

Day 8: Turn it around! Ask someone whose fundraiser or cause you’ve supported to support yours.

Day 9: Make it a challenge: “Can five people donate $20 today?” Share your progress throughout the day.

Day 10: Make another ask! Share how close you are to your goal, thank everyone who has already donated, and invite your friends and followers to help you finish the challenge strong.

Fundraising Tips and Tools