Fun & Functional Fundraising Ideas
Fundraising is the backbone for research leading to treatments for our 5p- syndrome loved ones. We at Cri du Chat Research Foundation are graced with amazing leaders, board members and volunteers who are giving their best while also working and raising children. But developing treatments takes money.
We all would like to be able to donate as much as possible towards that goal. And while we know everybody is not able to host big gala projects, that is okay. One day you might find resources for what today is unthinkable. But in the meantime, here are 10 ideas for fundraising events that may be perfect for you.
It’s your loved one with 5p- syndrome’s birthday. Let friends and family know that you would appreciate small gifts for your child instead of big gifts. At the celebration, a box or jar could be added to the gift table for donations to 5p- syndrome research. On your birthday, do the same.
Also on your birthday, do a Facebook fundraiser. They are easy to set up; Facebook prompts you! Be the first to donate to encourage others. Share it and tell your community about it. (Editor’s note: I refresh the donation page every day and update with an adorable new picture of the my loved one with 5p- syndrome.)
Another birthday suggestion for the workplace: Ask colleagues not to bring flowers but (link to donate) , and offer them cake in return.
Local sports clubs–have a game day. Make some cakes, cookies or lemonade, whatever you can create. Ask your family or friends to cook also. Write, draw or print out posters about 5p- syndrome and the CDCRF charity. It could last 2 hours or as long as you wish. .
Have a food fest on a beautiful weekend at your local park/playground. This idea works equally well at school/kindergarten family days or at nearby community festivals. If you’re not ready to be open about 5p- syndrome or special needs, ask your friends to help.
Open a pop-up cafe for one day in your garden. Ask friends and family to join and help with preparations. Put out signs and ask people to come, eat good food and be educated about 5p- syndrome. Make posters, put some extra effort into cooking and making everything look beautiful. If it’s fun, each year the same people will come again.
Again, using a beautiful day in the park, at a local stadium, community festival or in front of your house, make posters and invite people to participate in fun games and sports. The winner will get free pizza, cake or tickets to the cinema (try to get these donated).
If CDCRF is having some bigger fundraising campaign: There is an opportunity to set up a local fundraiser under the main fundraiser. To make it successful, share it more than once, write something about it so people understand what it’s for. Social media is full of information and donating is often something that people do based on emotions. So sharing opportunities more than once is important, because otherwise it will simply get lost. I have done it three times and every time I have raised much more than I could have given alone.
Ask a private school in your area to have students pay $5 to “dress down” for 5p- syndrome research: Or not wear uniforms that day. Or have a public school host a “pajama day” for 5p- syndrome research and have students pay $5 to raise funds for CDCRF. Raise awareness by handing out information about the syndrome & CDCRF’s mission.
Everything is possible. Being active means that kind people and even charity organizations will notice you. One national charity here in Estonia noticed my Facebook fundraiser and supported CDCRF research on epigenetics with $20,000 and SRF research on biomarkers with $3000. How epic!! This group is ready to participate in future projects also. How amazing is this!
Every donation gives so much strength because it shows support. And support is appreciated in every CDCRF project; these projects will not happen without support.
Donating can be a natural part of our lives. Yes, fundraising is hard. It can be uncomfortable. But as soon as you feel it, think about the reason why you are doing this. Every contribution takes us closer to treatments and our love one’s deserve!
You can help people channel their good will into a great cause–quality of life for our loved ones! It can be as simple as directing people to CDCRF’s Giving Tuesday campaign. It feels good to give.