Fundraising From Start to Finish: Fundraising During Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month and in a world where breast cancer impacts hundreds of thousands of people each year, initiatives to research and treat the disease often hinge on financial resources. Your commitment to raising $2,300 (or more!) as a 3-Day participant provides critical funding for research, care and advocacy so that we lose fewer of the people we love to this terrible illness. As you work to make positive change in peoples’ lives across the world, there’s much more to fundraising than meets the eye. Let’s dive further into the art of fundraising, exploring the strategies, challenges, and rewards of mobilizing collective efforts to empower change.

Understanding the Importance of Fundraising

Fundraising plays a vital role in filling the financial gaps that public and private funding may not cover entirely. Since 2003, the 3-Day has raised $889 million to help support more than 2,700 research projects and more than 500 clinical trials.* Great progress has been made in drug development, including Kadcyla® and many other cancer-specific drugs. Without a pipeline of resources to continue this life-saving work, such progress will come to a halt.

The Art of Storytelling

Here at the 3-Day, every step is a story. Though it may bring up complicated emotions, being authentic with donors is the best way to connect and raise funds to fight against breast cancer. By sharing your personal story, you are more likely to motivate and inspire your donors to give. In addition, share this infographic to show them how funds are actively helping us get closer to finding the cures for breast cancer and assisting those receiving treatment. Other powerful resources to share with potential donors include the 3-Day Impact Since 2003 and Komen Research Programs.

Setting Clear Goals and Objectives

With a goal to raise at least $2,300, oftentimes the biggest struggle is understanding where to start. We recommend getting the ball rolling with a donation to your own fundraising account to solidify your commitment to the 3-Day. Map out how much time you have to complete your fundraising efforts and work backwards. Check out this handy guide on Raising $2,300 in 2 Months!

Be sure to continually check back into your fundraising progress and see if you can push further. Need some motivation to kick it up a notch? Check out our 2023 fundraising rewards.

P.S. Our 2024 fundraising rewards will launch next spring!

Diversifying Fundraising Strategies

An effective fundraising campaign should employ a variety of strategies to engage different audiences. Lean into your skills and interests. Are you a fitness fanatic? Contact your local gym to see if an instructor would be willing to volunteer their time to teach a donation-based class. Maybe you’re a foodie and you can connect with your favorite restaurant to host a fundraiser where a portion of the proceeds goes towards your fundraising. Are there services you can provide in exchange for a donation (babysitting, grocery shopping, etc.). Take a peek at these 101 Fundraising Ideas and get inspired!

Check in with your job to see if they provide corporate matching, which can double your fundraising efforts. And ask every donor if they work for a company that matches. Go to The3Day.org/Matching for more information. Remember that matching gifts can take 4 to 6 weeks to post to your account.

Harness the Power of Social Media

There’s no arguing that social media has revolutionized the world around us… and fundraising is no exception! Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and beyond provide 3-Dayers with powerful tools to reach a global audience. Maybe you met someone on vacation who you friended on Facebook last year or your middle school classmate follows you on Instagram. Personally ask people in your network if they will donate to your participation in the 3-Day, and then ask if they can help you spread the message. Download the Komen 3-Day app, share your personal fundraising page link, and post photos of your training walks whenever possible. Take advantage of the extended reach and get to posting! Remember, fundraising via social media should be one part of a multi-channel approach you use to fundraise, not the only way you ask for donations.

Engaging Donors and Building Relationships

Fundraising is not meant to be a one-time transactional event. Building lasting relationships with donors is essential for sustainable fundraising efforts. Express gratitude with handwritten cards, provide updates on how their contributions have made a difference, and involve them in the organization’s activities to help foster a sense of ownership and commitment to the cause. Also consider how you can involve them in your event experience. You can ask your donors for the names of the people in their lives who have been impacted by a breast cancer diagnosis. During the event you can carry or wear something with those names. Knowing that your steps will be dedicated to those your donors love as well will make the event even more impactful for them. And increases the likelihood that they will become repeat donors.

Overcoming Challenges

Fundraising is not without its challenges. There are times where you may struggle, but by staying adaptable, maintaining transparency, and effectively communicating the impact of contributions, you can overcome these obstacles. Keep track of your progress with our Journey to the Goal Worksheet and be kind to yourself every step of the way. And remember that you must follow-up with your donors. You will not get a donation the first time you ask from everyone you’ve asked. A good fundraising strategy means you have to ask more than once! There are so many resources available to you, including your 3-Day coach, who are here to ensure you meet your fundraising goal.

Celebrating Success

A successful 3-Day is not just about walking 60 miles. It’s about coming together to fight against breast cancer and doing your part for the community. No matter how much you raise or how far you walk, your fundraising efforts, this month and every month, are making a difference.

For a wholistic list of fundraising resources, visit The3Day.org/Fundraising

Fundraising Friday: Tips to Earn More 3-Day Gear

Throughout the 3-Day, from our route signs to our Bank of America Breakfast of Champions to our Closing Ceremony, we work hard to consistently honor everyone who reaches their fundraising goals. Every dollar you raise makes a huge difference in the fight against breast cancer and every dollar should be celebrated.

To deck you out in 3-Day gear, we have all new 3-Day Rewards in store for you as your reach certain fundraising milestones! What can you look forward to? Well, we have a whole lot of fun…

There’s a 6-Pack of Shoelace Tags to add some extra pink fun to your kicks on event. You only have to raise $2,500 to earn these!
If you fundraise $3,500, you’ll be awarded festive 3-Day socks that will spice up your next training outfit!
A cool 3-Day visor will be yours when you fundraise $5,000 for the 3-Day! What better way to find some shade while you walk, but still leave room for a fun 3-Day hairstyle?
When you hit the $7,500 mark, you’ll be rewarded with a 3-Day fleece blanket. It will keep you warm all fall and into the holidays!
If you’re a real fundraising superstar and hit the $10,000 mark, you’ll receive a packable pullover! We know many of you travel for the 3-Day, and this jacket will be a lifesaver for you. It conveniently packs into its own zippered front pocket, it’s unisex and water-resistant, PLUS it has a hood with adjustable drawstring. It’s great for training walks and your 60-mile weekend.
Aside from rewards for yearly fundraising, we also have rewards based on your lifetime fundraising efforts, including a 3-Day vest for when you raise $50,000 and a travel bag for when you raise $100,000 in your lifetime with the 3-Day. Keep working towards those big goals! Additionally, when you raise $100,000 or more or your team raises $1,000,000 or more, you will become a part of the Susan G. Komen Lifetime Commitment Circle and among other things will be forever-honored with your name or team name on the 3-Day recognition wall in Dallas, TX.

We hope this list adds some extra spark in your fundraising plans for the rest of the year and help to propel you towards whatever your fundraising goal is for the year!

If you haven’t yet, be sure to check out our 2019 3-Day Fundraising Handbook! It is chock full of all kinds of information, fundraising tips and tricks.

It will first walk you through setting your initial goal, and get you jump started with your fundraising outreach. Just getting started can be difficult for some people. Once you’re on a roll, it’s easier to think of fun new ideas or band together with your teammates for a fundraising event. But that first step can be tough. It’s all about the ask.

From helping you brainstorm a list of donors to providing advice from 3-Day mainstays like Coach Gayla, this handbook can be your guide through every step of the process. It also walks you through important support tools like your Participant Center, online fundraising page and our 3-Day app.

Not to mention, this handbook can be useful for your supporters as well! You can learn about the difference that Susan G. Komen is making in local communities. These facts are super helpful in crafting your fundraising letters, or to hand out at team building and fundraising events.

And that’s not even everything! If you’ve never read the Fundraising Handbook before, this should become your go-to as you continue fundraising for the 3-Day. It will help you reach your goals and put you on the path towards earning one of our amazing fundraising rewards as well.

Also, feel free to share your personal fundraising tips in the comments below! There is no such thing as too many ideas!

Hot Take: Fundraising Friday Ideas for Summertime

Summer Fridays are full of sun, fun, and now…3-Day fundraising, too! As our 2019 3-Days get closer and closer, the weekends are perfect to make the most of your time and do some serious 3-Day fundraising. To get you started, we have simple ideas that are perfect for this summer season of fun and will also make a big difference in achieving your fundraising goals!

Facebook Live Your Training Walk

Now that you can connect your fundraising page to a Facebook Fundraiser and raise money through your profile, it’s time to make the most of this social media platform. Once you have set up your Facebook fundraising link on your profile, do a live training walk where you broadcast the start or finish of your walk. Stretch or show your planned route while you talk about why you’re walking and what the 3-Day means to you. Then direct people back to your page to donate!

Do a Summer Fundraising Challenge

Summer just started, so you have plenty of time to start a fundraising challenge. Give yourself a goal for the next week or month of summer, then promote the heck out of it! On social media, in your email signature, with signs in your front yard, at your cubicle at work, with a poster in your car window. No place is a bad place to promote the 3-Day and let people know how they can help you reach your summer fundraising goal.

You can also participate in our fundraising challenge, going on right now! From now to July 8, all dollars raised through the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® will directly fund the national Komen Treatment Assistance Program. Too many women and men don’t get the breast cancer treatment they need because of financial hardship. That’s where the Treatment Assistance Program comes in. It helps those facing financial challenges by providing limited financial assistance, education and support to eligible low-income, under-insured people undergoing treatment for breast cancer. We have already raised over $250,000 for the national Komen Treatment Assistance Program in just a few days of fundraising!

Charity Chores

This one is a no brainer all year long, but especially so in summer. There are so many outdoor chores to be taken advantage of during the warmer months, and all you have to do is volunteer your time. Put the word out in your neighborhood and community that you will do household and yard chores for free, but that you would love and encourage donations to your 3-Day goal instead.

Football Tournament

Football season is coming up in the Fall! But if you have friends and family who just can’t wait for pre-season to start, take advantage of their fandom! Arrange a weekend football game (or tournament!) and encourage players to donate to the 3-Day. Whoever is the winning team will have their names featured on one of your outfits on the 3-Day so you can keep that team spirit going!

Ice Cream Social or BBQ Contest

The summer is all about eating outside, and that means its barbecue and ice cream season. Let’s make the most of it! Ask a local restaurant or grocery store to donate supplies and host an outdoor party for all your friends and family. Ask for donations, and use this as a team building opportunity to recruit people to join you on the 3-Day.

Dance-Off in the Park

There is so much dancing on the 3-Day, and there should be more dancing in our everyday life! Have all your 3-Day teammates get together, bringing their friends and family to the park for a big pink dance party in the sunshine. Have people send you their favorite dancing tunes, which will make for one great training playlist. Then, encourage all your dancers to donate to your 3-Day cause.

What are your summer fundraising ideas? Tell us in the comments!