Fundraising Tools
Step Into Autism raises funds so that our programs and services are available throughout the year. Please reach out to us if you need help with your fundraising efforts!
Make the First Donation
Inspire others to donate by making the first one yourself! fundraisers who make a self-donation tend to raise more than those who don't!
Tell Your Story
Personalize your fundraising page by adding a photo, sharing your story, setting your goal, and making a donation. Help your donors understand why ASGA is so important to you and how their support makes an impact. Share your story on social media posts and asks as well! The more you share, the more likely people are to feel compelled to support your campaign.
Ask for Support
Remember, the best way to raise money is to ASK! Write letters, send emails, and reach out by phone or text. Use our pre-written social media posts, letters or emails, or create one of your own, and send them to all of your friends, family, and coworkers. Share your link on social media and in email signatures.
Ask Everyone!
Don’t feel guilty about asking. You will find that people will be honored to be included in your fundraiser. Ask your friends and family, your neighbors, your local delivery driver, your doctor, your dog's veterinarian, literally everyone!
Start a Facebook Fundraiser
Once you register you have the opportunity to set up a Facebook fundraiser that is connected to your Walk fundraising page. Make sure to start it from your page and not directly on Facebook. Creating a fundraiser is an easy way to tell your story and share your fundraising with your friends list, so people can donate from wherever they are. Remind donors that their gift is tax-deductible and supports the community right here in Northeast Ohio
Social Media
One of the best and easiest ways to share that you are fundraising for a cause that means a lot to you is on social media! Tell your story, why you are supporting ASGA through fundraising, etc. You will reach more people and reach people you wouldn't normally send an email or other direct request to. Share your participant or team page link or connected Facebook fundraiser.
Follow Up
Remind your network--ask more than once! Everyone does it--you see the email or Facebook post, tell yourself you will respond later, and keep scrolling. You forget to come back to it. It can take multiple asks before you catch them at the right time, so keep following up. Silence is not a "no." And be sure to thank them when they do donate!
Take advantage of matching gifts
Many companies have matching gift programs that will match all or part of their employees’ donations to charitable organizations like ASGA. Programs vary by employer, so ask your donor to check with their Human Resources department to find out if they are eligible!
Share Your Success
Keep track of your donations and keep sharing progress toward your goal. It can help motivate others to give and show your donors their impact on your goal.
Fundraising Ideas
Make sure to read our Third-Party Fundraising Toolkit for important information on creating a fundraiser. Here are some exciting fundraising ideas!
Yard/ Garage Sale: Know all that stuff that’s been hanging out in your garage/attic/basement? Gather it up and sell it with proceeds going to your walk fundraising! Make sure to post that all proceeds will go to the Autism Society of Greater Akron #StepIntoAutism event.
Bake Sale: Are you still going into the office or your job is in person? Have a bake sale with the donations going to your Walk fundraising! You can set prices or ask for donations. It's a good chance people will donate more than you ask for.
Product Parties: Do you sell or have a friend who sells Tupperware, Pampered Chef, Color Street, Mary Kay, Jewelry, or another product? Host an online party and invite all your friends and family to order. Ask the presenter to donate a percentage of profits or sales from your online booking.
Raffle: From 50/50, pamper hampers, weekends away, and nights in with your favorite takeout and drinks provided, the choices for prizes are endless. You could ask people to donate prizes or put them together yourself as your own contribution.
Go virtual: Why not hold a virtual bingo or trivia game and charge a donation for tickets?
Use your skills: Did you learn a new skill or start a new hobby during the pandemic and need to clear some space? Sell your items and donate some or all of the proceeds to your fundraising.
Birthday or Celebration Fundraiser: Celebrating something? Create a Facebook fundraiser through your Walk fundraising page or share your link, while asking for people to donate in honor of your celebration instead of giving gifts. Use your special day to help others!
Bake: If you’re a whiz in the kitchen, put your talents to good use. Ask friends, family or neighbors for a donation in return for making their favorite treats!
Online classes: Do you do something well or have a skill that you can share? Organize an online class and invite people to join in by making a donation. Fitness, cooking, DIY, etc.
Fundraising Programs:
Krispy Creme
Nom Nom Popcorn Fundraiser
Malleys Chocolates Candy Bar Fundraisers
Little Caesar's Pizza Fundraiser
Restaurant Give Back days: Many franchise and local establishments will let you sign up to have a give-back night. This means you pick a day and time frame that your fundraiser will happen, they will give you a flyer or you can make one yourself, to share with your people, and then people go in on that day to eat in or pick up their food, and a percentage of those sales will go to your team fundraising!
- Visit this site to put in your zip code to see what area establishments are having give-back days. https://www.groupraise.com/
Here are some examples:
Chipotle, Chick-Fil-A, Potbelly's, IHop, Danny Boy's
If you would like to set a give-back night up but have questions or need info from ASGA, please contact us at info@autismakron.org.
