Welcome to the Walk IDF Walk for Primary Immunodeficiency is the signature fundraising initiative of the Immune Deficiency Foundation (IDF) benefitting those living with primary immunodeficiency diseases (PI). Our nationwide walks prove that teams of inspired individuals can make a difference in the lives of other people. As a walker, you ve just taken the first step in making our shared goals a reality. Thank you! Last year, we had over 3,500 participants in 11 cities who helped us reach our goal of $1 million. In addition to the dollars raised, IDF Walk for PI provides a unique opportunity to bring together a community of people living with rare, chronic disorders. For some, these events are the first time that they have ever met another person facing the same disease. IDF Walk for PI is more than a fundraising initiative. We hope to bring together the entire PI community in pursuit of a better future for patients and their families. You are the reason why we are confident that this year will be just as successful as last year s was. Please remember that we are here for you every step of the way, so don t hesitate to contact us at 800-296-4433 or walk@primaryimmune.org if you need our assistance. Why We Walk One of the greatest challenges faced by members of the primary immunodeficiency (PI) community is finding the right information and resources when they need it. IDF was founded by families affected by PI and medical professionals who treat PI patients to help meet those needs. It is with this spirit and perspective that IDF exists today, thriving as an organization dedicated to individuals living with PI. We walk to support the thousands of individuals and families affected by PI that depend on IDF for advocacy, education and research. Where We Walk During our fourth year, thousands of walkers will join together at one of our 12 national walk sites, or create their own experience with a Volunteer-Led Community Walk or the Virtual Walk. All walks contain scenic routes of at least one mile (we walk rain or shine) Registration opens an hour and a half prior to the start of each walk For directions, please visit: www.walkforpi.org and click on your location Make checks in support of the walk payable to: Immune Deficiency Foundation Specific details about your walk site can be found at www.walkforpi.org and our upcoming e- mail updates. Be sure to Like our Walk for PI Facebook Page to stay up-to-date! TIP: Once you re logged in to www.walkforpi.org you ll be able to access a number of How To guides, and other helpful items through the Resources link at the top of the page.
Let s Get Started Use these steps to quickly jump start your fundraising efforts and gain some momentum! 1. Set A Goal: Consider the following when setting your goal. Beat the Average: Show everyone you are above average by raising $200 or more. Our average walkers raise $125, set a goal for $200 and beat our average! Raise More/Earn More: IDF is offering some fantastic prizes this year! Please look for the 2016 Incentive Prizes in the Tools You can Use Section. Membership Has Its Privileges: Become a member of the IDF Order of the Zebra by raising $1,000 or more on your personal (not team) page. Members receive exclusive benefits. 2. Online Personalize Your Page Make your goal personal by adding the following to your personal page at www.walkforpi.org: Your Story: Share why your team is walking A Picture: Really does convey a thousand words Register A Friend: Get started by registering one additional team member Make A Donation: Move that thermometer by donating to yourself Online fundraising is today s #1 tool for walks. In fact, the average online donation is 3 times higher than those received offline. As a registered participant, you have already received an e- mail with a link to your personal fundraising page. 3. Create Your List: Think about who you can ask to support your efforts, including by walking with you or donating: After you create your personal page, gather emails for those that you want to send your email to. Keep in mind names in your address book, holiday card lists, people that you see every day, people from your past. Consider asking at the businesses you frequent. 4. Make the Ask: The #1 reason people give to a cause is because they are asked! E-mail: You can upload your contact list from your email provider (Yahoo, Gmail, Hotmail, AOL, Outlook, etc.) directly to your Participant Center. This is an easy way to track who has received your emails and donated or joined your team. Send one of the template emails asking for your friends and family to join your team or make a donation. Mail: Take a moment to review the template included with this guide, then write your friends and colleagues to catch up and ask for their support. Phone: Call those you know and ask them go online to support your efforts.
In-Person: Face-to-face asks are always a great way to secure pledges and you can use the Pledge Sheet included with this guide to keep track of them. Always make sure you thank your potential donors, whether they give to you or not! Basically, send emails and letters to anyone you can think of the number can be limitless! By combining email and postal mail, you ll create fundraising success! 5. Use Social Media Networks: Are you on Facebook, LinkedIn or some other type of social media network? These can be valuable tools for recruiting team members and raising funds. You can link your participant center directly to your social media accounts. Take Some Extra Steps Great job on completing Steps 1 5! Your efforts are really helping ensure that our walk is a huge success and we want to encourage you to keep making those asks. We would also like you to consider taking an extra step or two with one or more of the following fundraising activities. 6. Matching Gifts: Are a quick and easy way to double your money. Contact your HR department to see if they offer a matching gifts program. If they don t, consider asking them to match your efforts. We are here to help with any required paperwork. Ask each member to ask if their company has a matching gift program. 7. Move Up: Adjust your goal to the next incentive level - the more you raise, the more you earn. Be sure to adjust your goal as you start to receive donations. You want to avoid people not donating to you because you already beat your goal. This year, we are excited to offer a number of great walk incentives - each are officially branded to show the world that you participated in the Walk for Primary Immunodeficiency. Check out the prizes in our Tools You Can Use section. 8. Wrap Around Fundraising Events: In addition to direct asks, below are a number of wrap around fundraising events (a.k.a: minifundraisers) that you can do to raise extra money and awareness. Make sure you check out our additional fundraising tips online! Everyone has to eat! Try holding a bake sale (donuts, cookies, cakes, and pies), hoagie/grinder sales, pizza sales, ice cream socials, or candy sales at your work or next meeting. Get your favorite restaurant, deli, coffee shop, or bar to let you fill-in for an hour or two with a percentage of sales going to the walk. These special events are both a great fundraiser and visual that lets everyone know that you care. Give something up a movie, manicure or dinner at an expensive restaurant and contribute what you would have to spend to IDF. Host a fundraising party and ask attendees to pledge their support.
Ask your company and other companies to conduct a Dress Down Day for their employees and ask for donations to participate. Hold a garage sale and ask your team members to donate items to be sold. Ask your friends to contribute to IDF instead of purchasing a gift for your birthday, anniversary or any occasion. Promote yourselves- call your local newspaper and let them know what your team is doing. Offer to send a photo. Publicity generates donations. Ask five to ten people to save their change for you for a month. Give them decorated buckets to keep the change in. Hold a counting party at the end of the month. Host a restaurant night. Most restaurants will donated a percentage of sales from guests who have a special pass. Bring lunch to work for a week and donate the savings to your team. Ask friends and coworkers to do the same. Hold a themed dinner party for at least 10 of your friends and charge a $25 entrance fee. Or host a Spaghetti dinner at a local church, get all of the food donated and charge $10 for an all you can eat meal! You could also host a tailgating party for your favorite team. The IDF office has icons that our walkers can use to fundraise! You can sell them from your desk at work, at your favorite pizza place, or any other place that will let you! Have another fun idea? Don t afraid to be creative and have fun!
Celebrate Your Success Your final step is to take a moment to give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done and enjoy yourself with your team during the walk! Once again, great job and congratulations! Contact Information E-mail walk@primaryimmune.org Phone 800-296-4433 Fax 410-321-9165 Web www.walkforpi.org Mail Immune Deficiency Foundation, 110 West Rd, Ste 300, Towson, MD 21204 How to raise $125 in 4 weeks! The personal ask is usually the best way to secure donations. Use this plan to raise $125 in just 4 weeks. When? Who to Ask? Watch Your Total Grow! Week 1 Make a starter gift to yourself on your fundraising page $25 Week 2 Ask or e-mail 5 family members/friends for $10 each $50 Week 3 Ask 5 co-workers for $5 each $25 Week 4 Get a business you frequent to sponsor you for $25 $25 Your 4-Week Grand Total $125
Tools You Can Use! Please review the following pages for some handy tips and samples
By Mail - Sample Fundraising Letter This sample was created by one of our top fundraisers. Use it as a template for next communication. Dear Friends: I wanted to let you know that I will be participating in the IDF Walk for Primary Immunodeficiency. I will be walking at the <location> on <date>. My goal is to raise $2,000 and have at least 10 team members! To reach our goal, we need your help. I would like to ask for your support by either joining my team or supporting my efforts by making a tax-deductible donation today! As many of you know this cause is very important to me and my family. (Share personal story and update here). The IDF Walk for Primary Immunodeficiency is a way to show the nation how teams of inspired individuals can make a difference and to support our mission: improving the diagnosis, treatment and quality of life of persons with primary immunodeficiency diseases through advocacy, education and research. Please go online to my personal fundraising page at (insert web address) or see the form below about how you can join the team and/or support our efforts. Thanks so much and we look forward to hearing from you soon! Yours truly, Walker #1 Team Herd Yes! I want to support your efforts by: Make a Donation Join me at the Walk Name: Address: Phone: E-Mail: Please donate online or make your tax-deductible donation to: Immune Deficiency Foundation Mail To: (Insert address)
Pledge Sheet Name: Phone: Address: Team Name (if applicable): E-Mail: Donor s Name Email Phone $ Amount Amount Enclosed Online Donations Matching Gifts Total Raised Make checks payable to Immune Deficiency Foundation. Please bring your donations and this form to the walk