Three Simple Tips for Fundraising Thank you for your interest in fundraising to support CancerCon 2015 and the mission of Stupid Cancer! Hardworking volunteers like you make it possible for our community to have a transformative impact on the millions of people affected by young adult cancer. Fundraising can sometimes be intimidating, but it doesn't have to be. The CancerCon Steering Committee is here to help answer any questions or concerns that you may have and to serve as mentors to your efforts. Please do not hesitate to contact us anytime at [email protected]. Below are three fundraising tips to help you get started and be confident in your efforts: 1. UNDERSTAND WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A SUCCESSFUL FUNDRAISER A belief in the cause. Stupid Cancer is the dominant name in the young adult cancer movement and strives to build community, improve quality of life, and provide meaningful survivorship. It literally changes lives through tangible programs such as CancerCon, The Stupid Cancer Show, Instapeer, meet-ups and more. Stupid Cancer's efforts in advocacy have led to the creation of the Society for AYA Oncology and AYA-specific guidelines for the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. Without donations from individuals, none of this would be possible. A belief in yourself. As a member of our community, we know that you have what it takes to be a successful fundraiser. Setting a goal for yourself is the first step and breaking down that goal into smaller parts is the best way to get you there. Imagine setting your goal of $2,000 and how intimidating that might be. Now break it down to four $250 gifts, five $100 gifts, and one fundraising event that raises $500. It seems a lot easier now, right? A belief in the transformative power of the funds you raise. Money is an emotional subject. There is a wide spectrum of positive and negative emotions that can make you apprehensive about asking someone for it. However, the best way to think about money is that it is a catalyst for Stupid Cancer's success. The funds that you ask for and ultimately raise will positively transform lives by providing anyone affected by young adult cancer with the programs and advocacy that they deserve. 40 Worth St., Suite 808 • New York, NY 10013 • 212-619-1040 • 877-794-6902 (f) • stupidcancer.org 2. GET PERSONAL In your fundraising efforts, be sure to always include your story that describes your connection to young adult cancer and how Stupid Cancer plays a role. No matter how well you describe a cause, there is nothing more impactful than a personal story. You should include this in an email, letter, personal description on your Crowdrise page, event invitation and in-person meeting with your potential supporters. Remember, they will be interested in the cause, but they are primarily interested in you. 3. BE CREATIVE AND UTILIZE VARIOUS FUNDRAISING METHODS Individual outright asks. Do not be afraid to make outright asks to your family members, friends, colleagues and anyone else. People inherently want to make a positive impact in the world and will support you in your efforts to make a change. They also want to help provide you with the opportunity to attend and benefit from CancerCon if that is your goal. Reach out to your potential supporters in person, over the phone, by email or in a letter. If you need help with making higher level asks, do not be afraid to contact us at [email protected] to seek out help from our trusty master of fundraising, Sean, who is the Director of Development at Stupid Cancer. Host an event. Plan a fundraising event by yourself or with the help of friends and family— and don't be afraid to get creative! It can be anything from an ugly sweater holiday party to a pie eating contest at your local dining establishment. Look out for our tips. We'll be emailing all sorts of creative ideas on a weekly basis to assist you in your fundraising efforts. Be sure to add [email protected] to your address book to make sure our communications don't end up in your spam folder. CONTACT US Email us anytime at [email protected]. 40 Worth St., Suite 808 • New York, NY 10013 • 212-619-1040 • 877-794-6902 (f) • stupidcancer.org