Fundraising Guides, Tips, & Incentives

Incentives

As a token of our appreciation for your amazing fundraising efforts, you will receive incentives based on your fundraising total. Prizes will be available for pickup at the event or you'll receive an email after the event with instructions for redeeming your rewards. 

Every registration comes with a limited-edition event t-shirt and pet bandana which you can pick up the morning of the event from the Registration/T-shirt tent. Virtual Walk Participants can pick up their t-shirts at Packet Pick Up Day before the walk. 

Fundraising for Paws in the Park will continue through September 30, 2024, so you'll have even more time to reach your fundraising goals and qualify for more prizes!

Incentive Level #1: 
Raise $250 or more and receive access to our VIP Tent! The VIP Tent will include continental breakfast, catered lunch post walk, and lots of freebies!

Incentive Level #2:
This Purffect Prize is coming soon!

Incentive Level #3:
This Purffect Prize is coming soon!

Fundraising Tips!

Share a Graphic on Social Media
Use these graphics to post on your social channels!  To Download: Click on the image, if it does not download, please right click on the image and choose "save image as".

Participant Center posts Paws in the Park 2024 by bethanyk


Customize Your Personal Fundraising Page
Sharing your personal connection to Paws in the Park and the reasons behind your dedication to raising funds for the SPCA can increase people's willingness to contribute! By conveying your passion, you can inspire others to support this meaningful cause. Feel free to accompany your message with a delightful snapshot featuring you and your beloved furry companion(s)!

Send Emails
Your Participant Center is filled with email templates you can use to let your friends, family, colleagues and neighbors know that you're participating in Paws in the Park— and ask for their support! We've even included heartwarming animal stories for you to share.

If you prefer to send messages from your own 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 that your entire network can see. Any donations you receive show up automatically in your participant center. Facebook makes it super easy and we highly recommend you give it a try!

Donate to Yourself
The easiest way to jump-start your fundraising efforts is to be the first 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 and skip buying takeout for a few weeks. Even something small will be impressive!

Set a Fundraising Goal
Share your goal with friends, family and co-workers so they can help you achieve it. Don't Be Afraid to Ask!

Decide who you will be asking to donate. Also, it often 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.

  • Members of groups or networks you're in.

  • Businesses you frequent.

Organize a Fundraising Event

  • Host a Fun Food Event
    Host a Chili Cook-Off, Baked Potato Party or Guacamole Contest. Sell tickets for $5 each for a vote for the tastiest item and raise funds for Paws in the Park at the same time! Food is a great way to raise money, especially with hungry co-workers.

  • Rummage/Garage/Yard Sales
    Ask your team members to clean out their closets and garages and bring items for a team-wide sale.

Use Creative Ways to Ask For Support

  • Make Your Pet Do the Talking
    Use your Participant Center to send an email to your friends asking them to donate, but instead of having it come from you, have it come from your pet!

  • Have Any Leftover Bottles?
    Keep change/donation jars or bottles in high-traffic areas at work. One regular-size water bottle full of change can quickly add up. Or maybe even leave out a swear jar around your home!

  • Use Your Baking Skills
    Do you like baking delicious bread, cupcakes or other treats? Ask friends, family and co-workers to donate some baked goods too and you will be surprised by how much you can raise at a bake sale. Or simply ask people for a donation for your famous freshly baked cookies, cake or other concoction!

  • Throw a Bingo or Board Game Party
    Prizes can be silly! Get them donated or find knick-knacks you don't mind parting with. Charge an entrance fee to play and enjoy the good times!

Write a Letter
Embrace the timeless charm of pen and paper! Pick up that pen and paper and personalize your letter with details about yourself and the reasons you're walking — you could even include pictures of your pets! Remember your audience when you are crafting your letter. Tailor it to fit friends, family, business owners, colleagues, etc. And consider enclosing a self-addressed, stamped envelope to make it easier for them to contribute.

Matching Gifts
Many companies offer matching gifts to employees fundraising for an amazing cause. This is a great way to double the money you raise. Reach out to your human resources department and check with your donating friends and family to see if their company does this. By harnessing the potential of matching gifts, we can make an even greater difference together!

Say Thank You!
Whether you do it through a handwritten card, face-to-face, via email or by tagging someone in a social media post, be sure to say thank you! You can find thank-you emails in your Participant Center that make this part quick and easy, though you can also add a personal note to make your donors feel even more special. Remember, saving thousands of animals this year would not be possible without generous donors, and of course — YOU!

Questions?

Genna Mages - 716-875-7360 Ext. 230 - gennam@yourspca.org