1. Fundraising 101
It’s not as horrible as it sounds!

2. “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful and committed people can change the world.”
-Margaret Meade

3. Why are we doing this? Nikola Stuart - age 10
Diagnosed at 8 years, 7 months
I spent 8 years not knowing what was wrong with my child. I desperately wanted a community of parents.
We now have a community. We have a voice. We can affect change and forward progress toward treatment.

4. How can I possibly raise money?
I can barely pay for my child’s speech, OT, PT, medical bills, etc…..
The answer: Enlist your community!
I’m going to run through a few ways you can raise funds easily.

5. We’re not asking YOU to donate funds.
We’re asking you to
GENERATE funds.
If I can send you home with just ONE takaway it would be this:

6. Invest in the WSS Foundation
Time, Talent & Treasure
Invest in the WSS Foundation
This is OUR foundation. It was created by us. We can grow it.
Time: the parents who put on the convention
Talent: Marketing brochures, professional video production, celebrity, get on TV, etc.
Treasure: Your capacity to give

7. ZERO effort Fundraising
Birthday gifts “In lieu of gifts, please donate to WSS foundation in honor of Emma...”
Amazon Smile - Register and shop.
Facebook - Twice a year post link to website with an appeal to donate.
-Do not try the birthday one with your 10 year old!
- Amazon Smile - We’ve already made $XXXX through
- Facebook - End of year and on your child’s birthday

8. The Easy & Fun Fundraisers
Bake Sale
Lemonade Stand
Car Wash
Sponsored activity (a push-up for every dollar raised, etc)
Kids participate, Big Signs, Donation Jars, WSS info available
These have a HUGE community benefit. These pay off in the long run and when you do a more direct appeal. You will be surprised by how generous people are at bake sales.
My daughter raised over $500 in donation jar and online donations from out of state!

9. Sort of easy fundraisers
Restaurant Fundraiser
- 20% of profits during a day/time donated to a cause.
Be careful of limitations: Must have flyers; must mention WSS, etc.
Write a check
-or is this the most difficult fundraiser….?
Chris & Nicole Mills raised $1,500 at Jersey Mike’s last year in ONE DAY!
If you know the owner of a restaurant, ask for 10% of an entire month, or 10% of the entire day! Go large.

10. Take care of your village!
Donating to a friend’s cause
will usually benefit yours.
OK, now we’re going to move into the fundraisers that take a bit more effort, but have a higher reward.

11. Medium effort fundraising (Let’s do this!)
Buy-in party
House Party/Concert with an “ask”
Online auction
Poker Tournament (or other gambling event) / Super Bowl Pool & 50/50 drawing
Party books: Themed party (mardi gras, paint & sip, etc) Hosts assumes the cost of the event
Party w/ “ask” be sure to make the intention known. Provide remit card and don’t put your guest on the spot. Offer a raffle!
Gambling event: have a raffle, lottery board (shannon), make intentions known.

12. Large Fundraisers Auction Gala: Huge potential for donations
Golf Tournament: Apply to be the benefitting charity
Bike race / Marathon / Kids Triathlon: (see Libby or Nicole!)
Now I’m going to shift into a different type of giving strategy.

13. Very powerful fundraising tool.
Corporate Matching
Very powerful fundraising tool.
Most large companies have a matching policy.
Most Corporate Giving programs match 100%!

14. Planned Giving
Asking someone to include a gift to WSS Foundation in a will.
There is no need to talk about “death & dying” to ask for this gift. It doesn’t have to be awkward.
Many ways to donate to foundations in a will. A bequest is easiest, but we are able to accept stock and real estate.
When grandma says “Honey, I wish I could help…..”

15. Find a “Major Donor” Who are the top donors in your community?
Look at the plaques on the library, museums, hospitals, theatre playbills, etc.
Keep the conversation going. It takes a long time and a may require many tries. .
Does your city have a local family foundation? Do they support scientific research?

16. Goal: 100% participation at any level of fundraising
2017 WSS Day
18% participation = $14,883!

17. 250+ WSS Families in the Facebook Group
250 x 500 = $125,000
If every family could commit to GENERATING a minimum of $500 we could bring in $125,000 a year. That would keep our scientist fully funded plus pay for our next conference! Our goal is a LOT higher than that, but it’s a start. We need your participation!

18. The other reasons why...