Fundraising Guide

Help us spread awareness by telling everyone you know about lupus and the walk! These tips will help you reach your personal and team goals!

• Personalize your webpage. Add pictures and explain why you Walk to End Lupus Now™.
• Set a goal for how much money you would like to raise.
• Ask family, friends, co-workers, neighbors (EVERYONE!) to join you.
• Follow-up with walkers to make sure they register and personalize their webpages.
• Thank your donors OFTEN! Make sure they know how much you appreciate their support!
• Have fun! Make a sign to carry at the walk! Wear purple and dress up for the walk!
• Ask questions. The LFAI is here to help. If you have questions or need anything, contact Lena at 312-542-0006 or lena@lupusil.org.

Fundraising Tips

Help yourself and your team members collect donations from family, neighbors, friends, business contacts and co-workers. With your support, the LFAI will continue to lead the fight against lupus! 

Here are some fundraising ideas:

• Sponsor yourself! Make your contribution when you register.
• Carry your donation form with you and collect donations right away. 
• Send e-mails to everyone in your address book asking them to sponsor you. 
• Explain why you are involved with the walk and how lupus has affected you.
• Send a letter to your holiday card list letting them know you're walking and to ask for their support. Make it personal and heartfelt! Include a self addressed envelope to make it easier for them to send their donation. 
• Add a tagline to your email signature. That way every time you send an email, you're making another ask. If you're registered online, make sure to include your webpage address in your signature tagline.
• See if your company has a matching gift program and double your money! Ask donors if their company has a matching gift program also.
• Ask your employer to sponsor a 'Jeans Day'. Employees who donate $5 or more will have the opportunity to wear jeans on Friday.
• Have a Walk to End Lupus Now™ change jar at your desk and ask co-workers to contribute their pocket change. 
• Ask your religious organization or company to include an article in their newsletter or bulletin about your participation inviting donations and team participants.
• Ask merchants you do business with to support you, such as your dry cleaner, local video store or hair stylist. If they can give a gift certificate, raffle it off to friends, family, and co-workers!
• Host a dinner party and ask your guests to donate the amount they would have paid at a restaurant for dinner.
• Create fundraising incentives for your team members to encourage them to raise more money.

Email & Letter Campaign
The most effective way to raise money and awareness is to conduct an email/letter writing campaign. The average walker raises $100 in a walkathon, and the average email/letter writer raises $500+! Don't be afraid to ask!

Here are some tips:

• Write your letter from the heart, tell your story with passion and enthusiasm, and make it personal.
• Invite people to walk with you and/or make a donation.
• Tell people your fundraising goal and how close you are to reaching it.
• Keep it short and to the point.
• Include the link to your personal page so people can donation online. Also let them know where to send a check (made payable to LFAI).
• Send it to everyone you can think of. Start with your holiday card list and include all friends, family, co-workers, doctors, and more! If people do not donate, at least you are spreading awareness.
• Ask two, three, and four times! Most people need a reminder. Don't be shy about asking more than once.
• Let your contacts know that they can share the letter. They may know someone with lupus who would like to help.
• Carry extra copies of your letter. You never know who you will run into and the more people you ask, the more donations you will receive!

SAMPLE LETTER #1
Dear friend,
Once a year thousands of walkers join together to Walk to End Lupus Now™. These walkers raise funds to fight the terrible disease and help the estimated 65,000 people living with lupus in Illinois.
For those of you that do not know, my husband struggles with this illness every day. Some days are okay, others are not. He is one of the strongest people I know and it is because of him that I ask you to join us on DATE. If you can't walk, please donate. If you can't donate, please help spread awareness by telling a friend about the walk.
I hope to make this year's team an even greater success and I can't do it without your help. Thank you for your continued support to me and my family and our battle against lupus.

SAMPLE LETTER #2
Dear friend,
I am writing to you today to ask for your support with a very important mission. My family is walking at the annual Walk to End Lupus Now™ on DATE and we need your support!
For five years I have been battling this terrible disease. In case you are not aware, lupus is a devastating and potentially fatal autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to become hyperactive and attack the body's own tissues and organs. This year I have taken I turn for the better and I want to celebrate by walking three miles in support of those who cannot.
Please consider joining team NAME by walking with us, making a donation at www.lupuswalkil.org or by mailing at check (made payable to LFAI) to the Lupus Foundation of America, Illinois Chapter. My team has committed to raising $1,000 and I need your help to reach our goal!

SAMPLE LETTER #3
Dear family and friends,
As you all know, for years now I have had many ups and downs with my health. There have been moments where I haven't been able to walk or get out of bed, where being touched or hugged hurt, and getting through a daily task as easy as showering wore me out for the entire day.
Three years ago I was diagnosed with lupus. Lupus is ugly and has tried to take my life in the past but I have learned to live with it and not let it get the best of me. Even though there is no cure for lupus, I am one of the lucky ones because I am living my life! There are many lupus patients that are not as fortunate as I am. It has become my mission to spread awareness and raise money to fight this disease.
Please join me at this year's Walk to End Lupus Now™ on DATE. You can register or make a donation at www.lupuswalkil.org.
Thank you in advance for your support!