INCREASE UNDERSTANDING AND ACCEPTANCE FUNDRAISING GUIDE

INCREASE UNDERSTANDING AND ACCEPTANCE FUNDRAISING GUIDE

INCREASE UNDERSTANDING AND ACCEPTANCE Every April, Autism Speaks kicks off Wolrd Autism Month beginning with UN-Sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day on April 2nd. Thousands of iconic landmarks and buildings join the hundreds of thousands of homes and communities around the world in support of people living with autism. Autism-friendly events and educational activities take place all month to increase understanding and acceptance and foster worldwide support. To join us or learn more, please visit AutismSpeaks.org/WAM. HOW DOES YOUR SUPPORT BENEFIT THE AUTISM COMMUNITY? Together, through the help of supporters like you, we continue to: - Increase global understanding and acceptance of people with autism - Advance research breakthroughs - Increase early childhood screening and timely interventions - Improve the transition to adulthood - Ensure access to reliable information and services throughout the life span 1

HELP INCREASE UNDERSTANDING AND ACCEPTANCE ON YOUR OWN GO BLUE ON APRIL 2! Light Blue Light your home blue. Ask your friends and family to do the same. Blue light bulbs are available from our partner, Home Depot. Go to HomeDepot.com and search Autism Speaks Lights Wear Blue visit Shop.AutismSpeaks for t-shirts, lapel pins, wristbands and more Share Blue Light up your social network using #LightItUpBlue. Get ideas and resources at AutismSpeaks.org/WAM/About GET THE FULL PICTURE! Visit AutismSpeaks.org/WAM to read personal stories from people in the autism community. Add your own and share with others, using #AutismIs throughout World Autism Month MAKE AN IMPACT! Plan or attend an autism-friendly activity. See our calendar of events at AutismSpeaks.org/Events/Calendar Take our quiz in April to better your understanding Plan a fundraising event using some of the ideas below FUNDRAISING IDEAS Create an Autism Speaks fundraiser of your own with our easy to use Fundraise Your Way platform. Go to AutismSpeaks.org/PartnerSignUp and fill out a registration form. An Autism Speaks representative will contact you directly Create a Facebook fundraiser at Facebook.com/AutismSpeaks/ Fundraisers. Click on raise money and add a cover photo and fundraising details Register for an Autism Speaks Walk near you. Go to AutismSpeaksWalk.org to find a location, create a team, join a team or just walk. We provide all the resources to help you have a successful fundraising event Participate in some of the best marathon races in the world while raising funds for people with autism. Go to AutismSpeaks.org/TeamUp 2

HELP INCREASE UNDERSTANDING AND ACCEPTANCE IN THE WORK PLACE Add a message about your event in a staff newsletter or meeting. Put flyers and reminders up in the office. Put together a small Light It Up Blue Committee to help plan recognition and fundraising activities. Light your building, store or office blue using blue bulbs, blue gel filters, or blue balloons and decorations Buy blue light bulbs through our partner at HomeDepot.com. Search Autism Speaks lights Log on to Rosco.com/LIUB for information on commercial lighting options Download free resources from AutismSpeaks.org/WAM/Resources for employees or place them in a public location Encourage employees to wear blue puzzle piece lapel pins or blue t-shirts available at Shop.AutismSpeaks.org Plan an event and wear blue on Monday, April 2 or any day throughout World Autism Month Read personal stories from people in our community at AutismSpeaks.org/WAM. Add your own then share with others using #AutismIs Download our I Light It Up Blue Selfie Sign at AutismSpeaks.org/WAM/Resources and post a picture on social media using #LightItUpBlue Take our Autism Quiz this April to increase your understanding and acceptance of autism. Then share with your friends! Go to AutismSpeaks.org/WAM FUNDRAISING IDEAS Coordinate an office fundraising campaign throughout the month of April. Ask your local Autism Speaks representative about the Pay Green to Wear Blue fundraising tool kit available at AutismSpeaks.org/WAM/Resources Sell Puzzle Piece Pin-Up Cards for $1, $3, or $5 and put them on display in your office or store (available on page 6) Coordinate a one-time event like a blue bake sale or happy hour fundraiser Be sure to check with your employer about matching donations or visit DoubleTheDonation.com/AutismSpeaks to see if your company is listed 3

HELP INCREASE UNDERSTANDING AND ACCEPTANCE IN SCHOOLS Start an autism understanding and acceptance club at your school to keep the awareness and fundraising activities going all year round! Download the Puzzle Piece Project Tool Kit at AutismSpeaks.org/Family-Services/Tool-Kits for lesson ideas and activities created by and for K-12 educators to help students increase their understanding and acceptance of people with autism Light your building or classrooms using blue lights or blue decorationss Download free resources from AutismSpeaks.org/WAM/Resources and make them available in the school Encourage teachers to wear puzzle piece lapel pins, wristbands or t-shirts available at Shop.AutismSpeaks.org Take our Autism Quiz this April to increase your understanding and acceptance of autism. Then share with your friends! Go to AutismSpeaks.org/WAM Read personal stories of people in our community at AutismSpeaks.org/WAM. Add your own and share with others using #AutismIs Invite a local Autism Speaks representative to speak to your class or school about autism Plan an event and wear blue on any day throughout April, World Autism Month Take pictures and post them online with #LightItUpBlue FUNDRAISING IDEAS Download the Kids and Coins for Autism fundraising kit to give students the opportunity to collect coins to help those living with autism. The Kids and Coins Guide contains everything you need to get started! Go to AutismSpeaks.org/Kids-and-Coins Have a Puzzle Piece Pin-Up Card fundraiser for $1, $3, $5 and put them on display in school or cafeteria walls. (cards available on page 6) Create your own school-wide fundraiser throughout the month of April like a blue bake sale, dance marathon, sports tournament, pancake breakfast or fundraising concert. Visit AutismSpeaks.org/WAM/Resources for free materials Share your results and photos with Autism Speaks using #LightItUpBlue and #AutismIs 4

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES VISIT AutismSpeaks.org/WAM PUZZLE PIECE CARDS See Page 6 DONATION MAILING FORM See Page 7 MORE DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCES AutismSpeaks.org/WAM/Resources COMPANY MATCHING DONATIONS DoubleTheDonation.com/AutismSpeaks QUESTIONS? EMAIL LIUB@AutismSpeaks.org MAIL DONATIONS TO Autism Speaks Attn: WAM Donations 1060 State Road, 2nd Floor Princeton, NJ 08540 5

AUTISM SPEAKS PUZZLE PIECE CARDS Create a Wall of True Blue Support. Make as many copies as you need or download more from Autismspeaks.org/WAM/Resources. Cut out the cards and sell them for $1, $3, or $5 (your choice) and place them in a visible location for everyone to see! 2018 NAME Increasing understanding and acceptance of people with autism. Thank You for Donating Possible Signs of Autism in Babies and Toddlers: By 6 months: No social smiles or other warm, joyful expressions Limited or no eye contact By 9 months: No sharing of vocal sounds, smiles or other nonverbal communication By 12 months: No babbling or use of gestures to communicate (e.g. pointing, waving) No response to name when called By 16-24 months: No words or meaningful, two-word phrases Any loss of previously acquired speech, babbling or social skills Learn More at AutismSpeaks.org 2018 NAME Increasing understanding and acceptance of people with autism. Thank You for Donating Possible Signs of Autism in Babies and Toddlers: By 6 months: No social smiles or other warm, joyful expressions Limited or no eye contact By 9 months: No sharing of vocal sounds, smiles or other nonverbal communication By 12 months: No babbling or use of gestures to communicate (e.g. pointing, waving) No response to name when called By 16-24 months: No words or meaningful, two-word phrases Any loss of previously acquired speech, babbling or social skills Learn More at AutismSpeaks.org 6

APRIL IS WORLD AUTISM MONTH HELP INCREASE UNDERSTANDING AND ACCEPTANCE There s never been a better time to help increase understanding and acceptance! Getting Involved is Easy! 1. Plan your event. 2. Visit AutismSpeaks.org/WAM to access free resources for your fundraiser. 3. Collect donations and support people living with autism. 4. Mail in your donations. Fill out this form and send it with your donations to: Autism Speaks Attn: WAM Donation 1060 State Rd 2nd Fl Princeton, NJ 08540 DONOR INFORMATION This gift is from: MYSELF MY COMPANY Company Name: (If using business address, please provide the company name.) First Name/Last Name: Email: Phone: Address: City: State: Zip: Relationship to Autism: My Child My Children My Sibling My Grandchild My Family Member MySelf I work with or educate those touched by autism. My Friend s Family I Do Not Personally Know Anyone PAYMENT INFORMATION $500 $250 $100 $50 Other $ PAYMENT TYPE (Make checks payable to Autism Speaks.) Check # Check Date VISA MASTER CARD AMEX DISCOVER Card # Exp. CVV Name: (As it appears on card.) Tax ID #: 20-2329938 Billing Address (If different from above.) Signature IMPORTANT INFORMATION Please make all checks payable to Autism Speaks and write the Supporter ID number on the memo line if you would like it credited to a specific person or Walk Team. All donations are non-refundable and non-transferable. All donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. In order to protect your contribution, please do not send cash but include a money order or check. International donations must be made via credit card online. We do not accept international checks or money orders.