Fundraising Tips
Whether you're a first-timer or an experienced fundraiser, we’ll help you meet and exceed your goals. And we’ll reward you too. Why? Because we know it takes hard work and because your support is essential! Register for the Climb, set up your personal webpage, post your photo, and tell your story. Then email your page link to your friends and family so they can donate and support your climb. Check out our fundraising prizes and incentives!
You can download a pledge form to collect pledges.
1. Set a team goal
For each member of the team challenge, a minimum of $250 must be raised or contributed but this is just a start. Think of fundraising as a part of the challenge of climbing the Tower.
What will your fundraising goal be?
- $500? $1000?
- $1 for each step you climb?
- Beat last year's goal by 10%?
2. Create your list of possible supporters and donors
Friends, family, teachers, co-workers, doctors, hairstylists, dentists, mechanic, or classmates. And don’t forget everyone who has ever asked you to sponsor them for a charity event. Be creative. Everyone has a stake in protecting vulnerable species and protecting our planet! The easiest way to ask is through an email from your personal fundraising page.
When asking for pledges, mention that "my average pledge has been around $X. Can you sponsor me?"
3. Your team and personal fundraising pages
Sign up online and create your very own team and personal webpages from which you can e-mail all your friends to ask for donations. We give you the tools to create your own page – it’s easier than you think!
4. Have some fun
Organize activities such as a bake sale at work. Hold a garage sale and donate the proceeds to your climb.
Hold a dinner or theme party for your friends, and charge per plate. Tell them all that all the proceeds are going towards your fundraising goal.
And of course, challenge your teammates!
5. Company support
Many companies have matching gift programs. Ask your company to match the donations you have collected.
Don’t forget about your company e-bulletins or newsletters!! Ask your company to place an article about your participation. And of course, many companies are already fantastic supporters of the climb! Thank you!!
6. Follow-up
If you haven’t received a response, send a reminder email or follow-up with a phone call; let them know about the great cause they’ll be helping!
7. Don’t forget the deadline
Both your online and offline donations received by WWF on or before Thursday, April 19th at 7 a.m. will count towards your eligibility for incentive prizes as well as any donations you bring to the climb.
8. Helpful hints:
- Tell potential sponsors that they will get a tax receipt for donations of $20 or more.
- Update friends and family on your training progress
- Change your voicemail and e-mail signature to include your participation in the climb.
- Carry your pledge form(s) with you everywhere – you never know when you will run into someone who wants to help out.
- Use upcoming gatherings with family and friends as opportunities to fundraise, such as Family Day, March Break, Good Friday and Easter Monday.
- Start a fundraising piggy bank and gather your loose change in it
Check out our weekly incentive schedule and get your donations in time for your chance to win!
Check out our fundraising FAQ for more great info.
Read some great stories from our climbers and volunteers.