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!
Fundraising made easy – click on this cool tips sheet for some inspiration!
You can also download a pledge form to collect and keep track of your pledges.
Set a goal
Every climber must raise a minimum of $75 (exclusive of the $25 registration fee) but this is just a start. Check out our fundraising incentive prizes and keep these in mind as you work towards your goal. Think of fundraising as a part of the challenge of climbing the Tower.
What will your fundraising goal be?
- $150? $250?
- $1 for each step you climb?
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 for money for a charity before. Be creative. 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?"
Take Full advantage of WWF’s online fundraising page
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!
Pass the link around
Once you have created your webpage, publicize it everywhere. Include it on your social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and tumblr. Text it to your friends. Remember to post it to your site more than once. It will show up often in your friend’s newsfeeds. Ask your friends to forward the link to their networks too.
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 that all proceeds will be going towards your fundraising goal.
Company support
Many companies have matching gift programs. Ask your company to match the donations you have collected. This is a great way to double your sponsor's contribution while helping their company gain visibility as a result of their charitable efforts.
Don't forget about your company e-bulletins or newsletters!! Ask your company to place an article about your participation.
Use WWF online materials
In the months and days leading up to the Climb, post links to WWF online resources like our expert’s own blogs - sometimes scientific, but easily understood and concise. Send around environmental tips and use the materials already available online from WWF. Doing this will add variety to your posts and give you enough material for regular online activity and show potential donors how committed you really are. Best of all, you will definitely raise awareness as you raise funds!
Follow-up
If you haven't received a response from someone you've asked for a donation from, send a reminder email or follow-up with a phone call; let them know about the great cause they’ll be helping! Remember, your supporters might like to hear how things unfolded at the Climb and how much you raised in total. Make sure to send an email after the climb thanking them for their work in helping to save the planet
- Keep posting your fundraising page and share updates on social media that will help engage with your friends and family and encourage them to donate to your climb.
WWF will send you emails to let you know when people donate to your page. Follow up to your donors by sending them a “thank you” email. Share updates on social media thanking donors for their support in helping you reach your goal.
Remember, your supporters might like to hear how things unfolded at the Climb and how much you raised in total. Make sure to send an email after the climb thanking them for their work in helping to save the planet.
Don’t forget the deadline
Both your online and offline donations received by WWF-Canada on or before Friday, April 26th at 7 a.m. and any donations you bring to the event, will count towards your eligibility for incentive prizes.
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 email 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.
- Post a quick YouTube video about your participation in the climb and ask people to donate. Share this link with your networks.
- Download the CN Tower App on your smart phone so you can collect donations everywhere you go. 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 - it will add up quickly.
Read some great stories from our climbers and volunteers.