Fundraising Tips

Check out our Fundraising Guide! 

Take a look at our comprehensive guide to help you fundraise and reach your goal! It is filled with fun ideas and helpful tips. Click here to check it out and feel free to share with others. 

Customize Your Personal Fundraising Page

Tell people why you're passionate about raising money for the animals at San Diego Humane Society. You can even post a photo or video of you and your furry friends!

Step By Step Instructions >

Send Emails

Use your Participant Center to send emails to your friends, family and colleagues, letting them know you're participating in the Walk for Animals and asking for their support. We've even created message templates and inspiring animal stories for you to use!

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 Facebook by creating a Facebook fundraiser that all your friends and family 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!

• Log into your Participant Center and click on the orange box that says "Fundraise on Facebook" on the right hand side of the homepage.
• Once your fundraiser is created you can update the photos and content. Remember to share what the Walk means to you and why you're asking for support!

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 your coffee for a few weeks. Even something small will be impressive! Simply visit your personal page and click the blue "Donate Now" button at the top.

Set a Fundraising Goal

Share your goal with friends, family, and coworkers so that they can help you and your pet achieve it.

Don't Be Afraid to Ask!

Decide who you will be asking to donate. To get started, make a list of people to ask for support, such as:

• Family
• Friends
• Neighbors 
• Coworkers
• Members of groups you’re apart of
• Businesses you frequent

Organize a Fundraising Event

• Host a Fun Food Fundraising 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 the Walk 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.
• Host a Fundraising Night at a Restaurant or Bar
  Many restaurants and bars have fundraising programs for charities. Our event staff would be happy to provide more information or suggestions on this type of fundraiser. Email walk@sdhumane.org.

Use Creative Ways to Ask For Support

• Use your Participant Center to send an email from your pet to your friends asking them to donate.
• Auction off a prime parking space or other perk at work!
• Change Jars and Bottles
  Keep change/donation jars or bottles in high traffic areas at work. One regular-size water bottle full of dimes adds up to $100!
• Fill a Boot for Homeless Pets
  Dig your galoshes out of the closet and put them to good use! Ask friends, family, and coworkers to help you fill it with donations for homeless pets.
• 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. Remind guests it's for a good cause.

Write a Letter

Pick up that pen and personalize your letter with details about yourself and the reasons you're walking - you might even want to 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 (you'll find your response rate is much better).

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 friends and family to see if their company does this.

Start Where You Shop

Ask the businesses you frequent - your hair stylist, dry cleaner, doctor, dentist, gym, coffee shop, favorite restaurant, etc. for a donation.

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, don’t forget to say thank you! You can find thank you emails in your Participant Center that make this part quick and easy. Don’t forget a personal note to make your donors feel special. Remember, saving 50,000 animals this year would not be possible without generous donors, and of course - YOU!

For questions, info, or more fundraising ideas email walk@sdhumane.org or call 619-243-3493.