Three Easy Fundraising Ideas We Bet You’ve Never Tried!

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!

Bev D. finds ways to be GRATEFUL, both in her life and for her Pink Bubble family

Next up in our “Word of the Year” series, this month Bev D. shares how she has been able to remain GRATEFUL, despite whatever challenges the past year has presented. She joined the 3-Day in 2011 to walk it once, and 15 3-Days later—she’s still here! The spirit of the pink bubble family keeps her coming back. 

Tell me about your 3-Day experience. 
I’ve participated in so many events since 2011, it’s hard to count…I think I am at 15! 

What is your 2021 word of the year?  
My word of the year is GRATEFUL.  

Why is that your word of the year? 
Even though 2020 was an awful year for the world, I am grateful because I was still able to spend time with my “pod” of friends and family. We hiked and went to the beach, and we were grateful we were able to do things like that. ALSO, my daughter had a baby girl! Baby Pearl Rhiannon was born on Thanksgiving Day. They spent the whole pregnancy quarantined and everyone is healthy and beautiful. She is my first grandchild and I am enormously grateful for her.  

Why do you participate in the 3-Day? 
My mom had breast cancer, which was the reason I walked the first year. I honestly thought it would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience: “one and done” as they say (LOL) but like many of us, that is NEVER the case. The pink bubble became my family and forever friends and I love you all!

What does the 3-Day family mean to you? 
The 3-Day family is the family I chose. They mean the world to me! I feel safe and loved and part of a special community that the outside world can never understand unless they join “the bubble.”

How does your word of the year connect to the 3-Day? 
I am grateful not only for the things in my life, but for my 3-Day family, too. My 3-Day friends are in my bubble that I stay in and travel with. I have so many friends near and far that I call family who I know I can always depend on to be there! They have enriched my life ten-fold.   

If you could share a message with the Pink Bubble, what would it be? 
I am so grateful for my pink family that is close by, for always being here. I am grateful for the pink family from afar, for keeping us connected to each other in so many ways. We’ve had virtual walks, sent cards to each other, and have always been there to offer prayers when needed.  

My symbol for my mom is a ladybug and there have been so many times when someone randomly will send me a text to tell me that they saw my “mom” in their office, in the park, on the sidewalk, in their house. And it always comes at a time when I just needed to hear it!

We want to know: What are you GRATEFUL for? Check back next month for the next blog post in our “Word of the Year” series.

Being A First-Time Walker and Fundraising Success – The Story of Felice A.

In 2018, Felice A. received news no daughter ever wants to hear – “Your mom has metastatic breast cancer.” As many of us know all too well, the experience of watching a loved one battle breast cancer inspired her to sign up for her first Susan G. Komen 3-Day® in 2019. Due to personal circumstances, she deferred her plans to 2020, which was then postponed to 2021 because of the pandemic. November 2021 will be her first time walking the 3-Day in honor of her mom, who passed away in November of 2020.  

Have you participated in the 3-Day before? 

No, not this one. My mom and I did the Avon 2-day walk in 2014 in San Francisco. The San Diego 2021 3-Day will be my first. 

Are you walking alone, with a friend or with a team? 

Walking alone — but the Susan G. Komen community has been incredibly warm and welcoming.  I’ve recently met a walking coach local to my area and a group of people who are also walking.  So, while I’m walking alone, I definitely don’t feel alone. 

We’ve noticed you’ve raised over $10,000 since June. How are you fundraising? 

I sent both personalized emails through my 3-Day Participant Center and I posted the fundraiser on Facebook. I have also asked for sponsors — I’m planning to create a T-shirt and will include the company logo on it as part of the sponsorship. 

What have been the most successful fundraising tactics for you? 

My personalized emails have been the best. I know personalization takes extra work, but I send one email at a time with a note directed to that person. I then copy the general message below. That honestly got a ton of responses. Instead of sending from the app as a “form” email, I think people appreciate the direct reach out. Given the times we’re in with COVID still among us, I’ve also been very careful to say, “anything is welcomed and appreciated, including well wishes and cheers from the sidelines.” I don’t want people to feel obligated to donate, especially if, for whatever reason, they can’t afford to. It’s hard asking for donations normally, but even harder in these crazy times. So, I think it’s important to let people off the hook and not make them feel obligated, and it makes it easier to ask by approaching it this way. I did the same for the “sponsors” that have donated $500. I didn’t ask for a specific amount, but I let each person know that if they were open to sponsorship, I would put their logo on a shirt for when I go on training walks and for the 3-Day to acknowledge the generosity and commitment of a larger donation. A couple people even asked if they could have a shirt! Some have also read my story on my personal fundraising page, which I believe really struck a chord because everyone knew how close my mom and I were. She passed away November 29, 2020. My mom was beloved by a lot of people. 

What advice would you give to someone whose loved one has just received a diagnosis? 

To those whose loved one just received a diagnosis: Hearing the news is like an out of body experience — and takes time to process — and it’s ok if you never really come 100% to terms with it. What’s important is to stay positive for your loved one, and express, both through words and through your actions, your love for that person in meaningful ways. Simply just being present and there so they know they’re not alone can help ease the anxiety you’re both going through. 

 

What are you looking to gain from this experience? 

I want to do this — walk and raise money — to honor my mom’s life and legacy; she is my inspiration and my motivation. 

Signing up to walk 60 miles in three days may seem intimidating, but not as hard as fighting breast cancer. The fact is, most of us have a story similar to Felice; we ourselves, or someone we know has either lost a loved one or knows someone who is fighting for their life. What we do to fight back makes a difference, and that’s why we walk. Share your story about why you walk with us in the comments.