Ready to join the race for a better future for wildlife? Whether you're new to raising funds or have participated before, you'll find helpful tips and resources on this page!
Six Steps to Raise $300
Need a fundraising boost? Follow these six steps to raise $300:
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Start with your own donation ($25)
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Ask four friends to donate ($15 x 4)
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Bonus: Share your fundraising page on social media!
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Ask five family members to donate ($25 x 5)
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Ask four coworkers to donate ($10 x 4)
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Ask three neighbors to donate ($10 x 3)
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Ask two local businesses you visit frequently to donate ($10 x 2)
A How-To for Fundraising Success
The earlier you begin your fundraising campaign, the more success you’ll have in reaching your goal. This five-step guide will help you along the way:
1. Set your goal
Participating alone? To get started, set a fundraising target. Be ambitious to pump up your motivation!
Participating as part of a team? Decide how many team members you want to recruit and set a fundraising target for the team to meet.
Pro tip: Think of incentives for donating, like a personal thank-you video for each donor, or a new photo of your favorite Lincoln Park Zoo animal for each gift. Get creative!
2. Personalize your fundraising page
Use your personal fundraising page to tell potential supporters about your fundraising goal and why you’re participating in Run for the Zoo. That way, even if they can only give a little, your donors will still feel like part of something big!
Why do you love Lincoln Park Zoo? What animals are your favorite? What conservation initiatives do you care most about? What are your most beloved zoo memories? Share your stories on your page to motivate you donors to give!
And when in doubt, a good “Did you know Lincoln Park Zoo did this?” post is always an attention grabber! Need some zoo stories to inspire and share? Head to the zoo’s blog!
3. Identify your target donors
Make a list of potential supporters: Family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, friends of friends, your kids’ friends’ parents, and beyond. Cast as wide a net as possible.
If you’re part of a team, draw up a list of contacts you think would be interested in joining you. Friends who jog, who love animals, or love the zoo are great candidates!
4. Share, share, share!
Many people need a few reminders before they actually donate—don’t take it personally! Be sure to keep everyone informed about progress towards your fundraising goal and personally thank those who have contributed.
One of the best ways to spread the word is by using social media. Give updates to all your friends and family in Instagram stories, share your story (and fundraising page link!) on Facebook, create a fun video of your zoo experiences on TikTok, or share and tag others on Threads—you can do whatever is most authentic to you and whatever will resonate with your audience the most. Get creative!
And remember–share often!
5. Voice your appreciation
Be sure to thank your donors and fundraising team members for a job well done all along the way! Folks love a personal shout out, so use that to encourage others to give!
Did you take any pictures during Run for the Zoo? Make sure you upload them to Facebook, Instagram, or another site of your choice to show your team spirit.
