YMCA OF GREATER NASHUA Fundraising Toolkit

YMCA OF GREATER NASHUA Fundraising Toolkit YMCA OF GREATER NASHUA 10 Cotton Rd., Nashua, New Hampshire, 03063 www.nmymca.org

Dear Campaigner, Thank you for volunteering to support the YMCA of Greater Nashua s Annual Campaign! At the Y, we believe no child should be turned away due to the cost of programming. This is why we offer extensive Financial Assistance to all families in need. Our Annual Campaign supports this Financial Assistance program and ensures every child has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. Your support translates to life-changing programs for those in our community who need it most. From preschool to wellness for older adults, no other organization can impact as many, as powerfully, as the Y does every day. Thank you for your help in making positive change in our community! Schedule of Events Training Events January 24-26 th Varies Annual Campaign Kickoff February 9 th 5:30pm-6:30pm Martha s Exchange Annual Campaign Victory April 6 th 5:30pm-6:30pm TBD Contacts Kathy Proulx, Director of Development kproulx@nmymca.org 603.598.1533 Christina Conti, Development Coordinator cconti@nmymca.org 603.598.1533

HOW TO PREPARE TO ASK FOR A DONATION Being prepared to ask someone for a gift is critical to campaign success. Making an appointment for a personal visit, knowing who to bring with you on the visit, what you hope to accomplish during the visit and where to have the face- to-face meeting all needs to be planned before the ask occurs. When thinking about prospects consider the Four C s: How are they connected to the Y? Do they care about our cause? What is their capacity to give? Are they charitably minded? There are some basic components that are part of the campaign solicitation visit. 1) Know your purpose and your goal. Ask about the prospect s perception of the Y Most people will forget 82% of what you say within 2 days, but they will retain 72% of what they say. Tell the Y story Find out why the donor gives OR what we need to do in the future to get a gift 2) Know the Y s cause. The Y focuses on: Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility. Financial support from members and the community allows the Y to reach out and impact individuals and additional populations in need of Y programs. Ask prospects if they know about the Y Cares program and how it is helping our community? 3) Know the Donor. What is their link to the Y (programs, camp, or community concern)? Why should they be interested in helping the Y make an impact?

TIPS FOR GETTING A MEETING Seek a face-to-face meeting. Stress the importance of meeting in person to discuss an important effort you are involved in for the YMCA, which affects our community. Make a phone call or email to your prospect to set the date and time for your meeting. Give choices not just an open ended question. Can we meet for coffee at 2:00 on Thursday or 7:30 on Friday? TIPS FOR PLANNING THE DONATION REQUEST Select Prospective Donors Intentionally. o Giving is more than a transaction. We want to build relationships and bring donors closer to the Y. Align request with interests o Position requests to align with their community interests and prospects involvement with the Y. Take a partner on visits to prospects who are being asked to increase their donations, new requests above a specific amount, or new donors with long-term potential. Calling the easiest prospect first can help gain a sense of momentum and confidence. Anticipate resistance in making a visit appointment by personalizing your request. Share how important it is to you. Determine an asking or "hoped for" amount and tie it to specific outcomes that the donation can accomplish in people's lives.

HOW TO ASK FOR A DONATION Greeting Start with casual conversation about mutual interests, individuals, programs your kids are in together, and so forth. Share Purpose for the Visit There are really two objectives for the personal visit: 1) To share and discuss some important work the YMCA is doing for our community and 2) To determine how the prospect can contribute to this effort. Share Your Commitment Share your personal commitment as a board member. Knowing that you are volunteering your time is very powerful and gives the case for support credibility. Ask Explain the impact on lives this campaign effort will make. Share how philanthropic gifts will help make a difference to help solve community issues. Ask the prospect to consider a specific gift amount. Share that you have pledged to give the same or more and share why. Discuss how payments can be broken down ($20-$100 a month can allow someone to give a larger gift than they might think). Wait Be silent and wait for a response. The prospect needs time to process what you have said and ask their questions. Respond to Concerns and Questions Empathize with any concerns and ask how you can help make it easier or better. Do not be concerned that you will not know all the answers to the prospect s questions. You can say you will refer a question to someone at the Y who can follow up with the answer. Thank Express gratitude even if a gift is not secured. Remember that a no usually does not mean no not ever. If you have told the story of how the YMCA impacts community issues you have accomplished your first objective. After the visit, send a personal note of thanks for their time and consideration no matter what the result. Confirm If a gift is secured, assure that the pledge card is filled out with the proper information. No matter the outcome of the visit, take pride in what you have done. Many individual lives are touched by the Y annually because of people like you!

FINANCIAL IMPACT Funds raised during Annual Giving Campaign strengthen the community through these programs and so much more: Y Cares Prescribe the Y LIVEStrong Camp Swim Lessons Childcare Membership The Achievement Center Y Achievers Superheroes Academy Diabetes Prevention Program EXAMPLES OF FINANCIAL IMPACT ON PROGRAMS $25 helps teach a child to read $50 helps a family be active at our Y even if they can t afford a membership at full cost. $100 keeps a child safe around water through swim lessons. $150 Lets a kid experience sports where everybody plays and everybody wins. $250 allows a child to attend one week of summer camp, creating life changing experiences. $500 allows an older adult to enjoy the Y with friends & to be healthy. $1,000 supports our efforts to reduce summer learning loss. $1,500 brings a family closer together, encourages good health, and fosters a sense of community with a Y membership. $2,500 aids cancer survivors in our community as they gain strength and well-being in our LIVEStrong program.

HOW TO CREATE YOUR PERSONAL FUNDRAISING PAGE 1. Go to the YMCA of Greater Nashua Annual Campaign page on Classy.org with this link: https://www.classy.org/campaign/annual-campaign/c96629 2. Select Become a Fundraiser 3. Select As an Individual 4. Personalize your page: 5. Enter your information, upload a photo, and enter a fundraising goal. Whatever your goal is, the amount raised will go toward our overall Annual Campaign fundraising efforts. This is also where you can share your own Y story or write about what the Y means to you. Next, you have the option to choose the URL at which you would like your page to be found. 6. Share the link on social media so family and friends can help you strengthen our community by supporting the Y. Online Giving page Screen Shot

SAMPLE TEXT FOR ONLINE GIVING PAGE UPDATES At the Y, we believe no child should be turned away due to the cost of programming. This is why we offer extensive Financial Assistance to all families in need. Our Annual Campaign supports this Financial Assistance program and ensures every child has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. Your support translates to life-changing programs for those in our community who need it most. From preschool to wellness for older adults, no other organization can impact as many, as powerfully, as the Y does every day. Make a Difference through the Y Our donors want to achieve lasting social change by investing in holistic support for those who need it most. Our unique model as a charitable organization means that the Y is a sustainable, ever present force for community. We're there for our neighbors, and together, we make a better us. Come Be Inspired Join us on February 9 th (5:00pm-6:30pm) at Martha s Exchange in Nashua for our Annual Campaign Kickoff. Hear families and youth speak about their experience with the Y, collect forms and resources and share stories. We hope to see you there!

EXAMPLE EMAILS FOR ANNUAL CAMPAIGN Set up an in-person meeting Hello Friend, As you know (or You may not know that ) I am a member/employee/volunteer at the YMCA of Greater Nashua. During my time with the Y, I have personally seen the great things they are doing for our community. I have really connected with LIVEStrong; a program that supports cancer survivors and helps them reclaim their health after treatment. I would love to tell you more about it at coffee of lunch. I think this program would resonate with you as well. Do you have time in the next few weeks to meet and chat about this program and the YMCA of Greater Nashua? I m free on Tuesday at 9am or Friday at 11am. All the Best, Your Friend Make an ask over email Hello Friend, This year I am supporting the YMCA of Greater Nashua s Annual Campaign. As a member/employee/volunteer, I feel very strongly about the impact the Y has on our community and greatly enjoy supporting them in this way. I have really connected with the Y s cause of strengthening community and see the benefit the Y brings to youth and families in our community. The Y s Annual Campaign directly funds the Y Cares program which gives anyone in need financial assistance to become a member or join a program. This program positively impacts many families and I am happy to have shown my support through a donation this year. Will you consider joining me and donating to the YMCA of Greater Nashua s Annual Campaign? I have attached more information about the Y s programs and the link to my online donation page can be found here. (insert your page link) Let me know if you have any questions or would like to meet up and talk more about this program or the Y in general. I would be happy to discuss the Y s impact with you. All the Best, Your Friend

EXAMPLE SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS When you support the YMCA of Greater Nashua, you join a community dedicated to nurturing the potential of kids, improving health and well-being and giving back and supporting our neighbors. The YMCA of Greater Nashua helps strengthen our community because we are the community. We are made up of people of all ages, faiths and abilities, all working side-by-side to ensure that everyone, regardless of gender, income or background has the opportunity to live life to its fullest. Please join me in supporting our community. Together our Y staff, members, and volunteers are all personally committed to fostering health and well-being among people of all ages, bringing people together to pursue passions old and new, and provide mutual support for everyone in our neighborhood. Please join me in supporting our neighbors, donate today! As a Member/ Employee/ Volunteer of the YMCA of Greater Nashua, I see year round how the Y helps our community. Support the Y by giving today. The Y helps youth and families in our community come together and live healthfully. Help support our community by donating today. As a Member/ Employee/ Volunteer, I support the YMCA of Greater Nashua because we are making a positive difference in New Hampshire. Will you help me reach my goal of X$? Learning to swim is an important childhood experience that I don t want anyone to miss out on! That s why I support the YMCA of Greater Nashua and their Aquatics programs for youth and adults. Help me reach my goal by donating here. Break down barriers build up people. When you contribute to YMCA of Greater Nashua s Annual Giving Campaign, you re helping ensure that more of your neighbors have access to the Y and its programs. The YMCA of Greater Nashua s Annual Campaign allows us all to imagine more for children, families and adults in our community regardless of their ability to pay. Help support wellness in New Hampshire by donating today! Water Safety is taught through YMCA swim lessons. When you support the Y, you create a community where children learn how to be safe in and around the water. YMCA Youth and Teen Programs empower children and teens to discover who they are and what they can achieve. When you give to the Y, you create opportunities for kids to explore new interests, build relationships with peers, experience service to the community and have fun!

TIPS ON CRAFTING AN ELEVATOR PITCH An Elevator pitch is a short prepared speech that explains what the organization does, clearly and succinctly. You can use an elevator pitch to spark interest with potential donors and open the lines of communication. A good pitch should last no longer than 30 seconds, no longer than a short elevator ride. Here are a few tips to break it down into three steps. 1) Explain what we do: Start by describing the program that you are most passionate or have chosen specifically for this donor. What problems do we solve with this program, and how are we helping the community? Pick one impactful statistic. This opening statement will be what the prospect remembers most about you. Start out with an exciting statement. If you are excited your prospect will be as well. People may forget what you say, but they will remember how you made them feel. 2) Communicate why we are unique. Why is our model working? What urgent need are we fulfilling? What have you witnessed as a board member that makes you a proud supporter of this program and the impact we have on the community. 3) Engage with an open ended question to invite them into the conversation. Example: The YMCA of Greater Nashua supports our community with life changing programs for everyone. They provide swim lessons to all in need to help protect our youth near water. Did you know that drowning is in the top 5 cause of death for youth 14yrs and under? Help us keep our kids safe by supporting the Y.

ASK ME WHY CONVERSATION STARTER I ve been involved with the Y for years. My first experience with the Y was Number of as when I. Currently, I m Board member/member/staff Played basketball/swam/worked out a member of the board of managers, and serve our members and participants by. Advocating for funding/serving on committees/working on new programming The person I am most thankful for meeting at the Y is. He/She Member/ Participant/ Volunteer/ Staff/Mission Moment participant comes to the Y to/for. What inspires me about them is Program/Activity. The Y has helped him/her by. Describe your inspiration How the Y has helped