Step 1: Create a Plan and Set Goals

   1. Team goal
   2. Individual goal for each team member
   3. A timeline for raising and collecting donations

Step 2: Identify Your Prospective Donors

Think big! During your life, you have probably made acquaintances with thousands of people. This will help when you are recruiting team members and prospective donors. Develop a list of prospects with their names, addresses, email and phone numbers.

Step 3: Establish a List of Tools to Reach Your Fundraising Goal

   1. Letter writing campaign
   2. Online fundraising
   3. Ask your company to sponsor your team

In addition to you letter writing and online fundraising, plan a few fundraising events to involve your company and/or community and raise more money!

Step 4: Select the Appropriate Style of Your Message

Depending on your target audience, you may want to use:

   1. Serious, hard hitting
   2. Light, humorous
   3. Combination

Step 5: Show Donors the Power of Their Money

Never underestimate a donor's willingness to give. Knowing what their money can do may inspire people to make a larger contribution. Here are some helpful figures:

1.       $500 provides a patient with leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma with Patient Financial Aid to support medical treatment, medications and travel to medical appointments for one year. 

2.       $500 allows 10 patients to login to a Webcast and receive the latest medical breakthroughs.

3.       $400 funds a Family Support Group program for one year.

4.       $100 provides three patients with access to an information teleconference.

5.       $100 allows four patients to make a first connection with a trained peer counselor. 

Step 6: Follow Up with Your Donors

1. Call
2. Send reminder postcards of letters
3. Make a personal visit

If you have not received a response, send a reminder email or postcard. Keep an accurate account of those to whom you have reached out and send updates to develop a long lasting sense of involvement.