It can be difficult to figure out where to begin when fundraising for the 3-Day, especially if you have little to no experience with asking for donations. If your fundraising account is stuck at $0, take this opportunity to learn from those who are practically professional fundraisers. Veterans of the Pink Bubble share with us their most successful fundraising strategies that have helped them meet and exceed their fundraising goals, year after year.

Farrell C.’s suggestion is to share and highlight the person for whom you’re walking. She lost her Mom to breast cancer so she shares her personal story. She believes that you never know who you’ll touch by doing so. Farrell also suggests having a high fundraising goal and continuing to move the goal as you get close to reaching the current one.

Debbie S. collects emails addresses from anyone and everyone all year long! She starts a monthly email campaign beginning in June to send to everyone on her list. The first email is long and explains what the 3-Day is, why she’s doing it, how long she’s fundraised and walked, and closes it out with asking for donations. Each month, she sends out a new letter to anyone who hasn’t donated yet. Right before the event, she sends out another email to everyone on her list again, regardless if they’ve donated or not. This email is an update of what she’s doing, why, and how much she’s raised so far. Debbie doesn’t mention a fundraising goal, but always pushes for more, regardless of where she’s at. She also utilizes Facebook by copying and pasting her monthly email to a Facebook post with her personal page link! She is also a big fan of taking advantage of all matching gift opportunities.

Cathy L. started her pink envelope campaign many years ago and has since stuck with it because it works so well! She mails everyone on her list a personalized letter in a bright pink envelope with a self-addressed pink envelope inside for the recipient to mail a donation check back to her. She still gets excited to see those pink envelopes in her mailbox because she knows it’s a donation. (And don’t forget — you can easily deposit checks with the 3-Day app. It’s as simple as taking a picture of the check.) Cathy believes her personal touch is the main reason why her donors keep supporting her. Over the years, she has also hosted many types of parties (Pampered Chef, Tupperware, etc.) where a portion of the sales are donated to her 3-Day fundraising.

For more ideas on how to fundraise, head to our ABCs of Fundraising blog and join our Facebook Groups. What has been your most successful fundraising strategy? Share it with us in the comments below.

* States and local communities have laws governing many fundraising activities, including raffles, garage sales, leafleting, auctions and other promotional activities. Compliance with applicable laws is the responsibility of each participant, and the 3-Day cannot render legal or tax advice on these matters. Please check with your local authorities before fundraising in these ways.

Whether newly part of the 3-Day family, or a long-time & dedicated member, fundraising can be a challenge. Run out of people to reach out to? Finding yourself stuck on how to encourage your friends, family, or colleagues to help you reach your goal? Feeling a lack of motivation or enthusiasm yourself? We’ve all been there. And because of that, we know that you can always use a little extra help and creative ideas for how to keep things fresh and interesting.

Maybe you’ve already thought of these… But we’re guessing you haven’t! Either way, and without further ado, here are some unique & fun fundraising ideas to help you reach all your goals this year!

1. Trade in your old phone with ecoATM

Have an old cell phone lying around? Don’t know what to do with it? Head to ecoATM.com, to see what your phone is worth and bring it to the nearest ecoATM kiosk to get paid on the spot.  No haggling, no waiting , no dealing with strangers, and no mail-in required. You can use that $$ to go toward your 3-Day fundraising. Oh, and don’t forget to ask your friends and family to check their junk drawers for more phones to trade in. And don’t worry, it’s safe! You’ll find instructions to remove all personal accounts online at ecoATM.com. There is an option to donate your device cash-out value to Susan G. Komen®, choosing to donate funds at the kiosk will not count towards your individual 3-Day fundraising.

2. Make them ask, “What are you wearing?!”

This is for the dress up queens and costume aficionados! Take on a “dare to wear” challenge and wear a wild pink outfit, or as many as you can find, for as long as people are donating to your campaign. Let’s see your hot pink wigs, sparkling tutus, onesies, and more! Better yet, designate your significant other or a friend to be the one who has to dress up! Keep the momentum going by posting a selfie every day showing off your outfit and reminding your circle to keep donating if they want to see more!

3. Finally reveal that secret family recipe

Have a delicious family recipe all your friends and colleagues have been begging you for years? Today’s the day folks! Create a fundraising challenge amongst your circle, where you’ll finally share that delicious secret they’ve all been craving if they help you reach your fundraising goal. If not a recipe, make it a secret tip or trick, a DIY specialty, the answer to your unsolvable riddle, or whatever else you’ve got up your sleeve!

Got some more fun ideas of your own? Share them with your community! We’re all in this together after all, working towards one mission of ending breast cancer forever! Happy fundraising 3-Day Fam!