Little Dogs BIG DREAM Walk/Run Fundraiser Tips & Tools
Welcome to our go-to site for all things fundraising-related for our upcoming virtual event! We are excited about this new adventure and hope these tips & ideas help inspire FUN and serious fundraising!
GET STARTED QUICK GUIDE:
1. Register for the event and t-shirt.
2. Create your Personal Fundraising Page.
3. Make it personal. Share YOUR story.
4. Dream Big for a BIG DREAM (goals!)
5. Kickstart your fundraiser. Donate yourself.
6. Ask early. Ask often.
7. Spread the DREAM.
8. Join the Little Dogs BIG DREAM participant group on Facebook.
9. Be prepared for “YES” everywhere you go!
10. Be thankful. Share your gratitude. Share your updates.
Register: Be sure to register by July 15th to receive your Little Dogs BIG DREAM t-shirt by the event dates. Late registrations will be accepted but will receive their t-shirt after the event.
Create your Personal Fundraising Page: Personalize the text, add a photo, and share your passion, goals and purpose. Why is this important to you? Share your story: Everyone has a story as to why they support Harley’s Dream – share yours. Make others connect with you and your cause with a creative, heart-felt story or funny tale. Do you have a dog from a puppy mill? Do you protest at pet stores, or are you a citizen lobbyist working to ban the sale of dogs and cats in pet stores? Have you adopted a dog from Harley’s House of Dreams? Inspire others to donate by sharing why Harley’s Dream is important to you. And be sure to add photos!
Dream Big for a BIG DREAM: Set your personal goal(s) and your fundraising goal. Go ahead – DREAM BIG! Harley & Teddy are counting on you!
Kickstart your fundraiser: Donate to yourself. Others are more willing to donate to your cause when they see that you are willing to do so too. Ask someone to donate you think will be a BIG supporter of your dream.
Ask Early. Ask Often: Jump on your fundraising goals! Early donations spark others to do the same. Plus, the more you ask, the more you get! Set a goal to ask for at least one donation per day. Ask for a specific amount or whatever they are able to give. Follow-up.
Spread the DREAM: Share your cause any way you can think of. Send an email. Text your family and friends. Share on social media (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter). Share the link to your Participant Fundraising Page AND to the Little Dogs BIG DREAM event page on Facebook. Post personal photos that share your story. Use the hashtag #LittleDogsBIG DREAM
Facebook TIP: Share different messages and different photos to reach more of your friends & family.
1) I’m fundraising to help unwanted senior dogs rescued by Harley’s House of Dreams at Harley’s Dream! I’m participating in the Little Dogs BIG DREAM Virtual Walk 8/15-8/30. Please donate today! Any amount helps save a senior dog. Donate here: [enter link to your personal fundraising page] #LittleDogsBIGDREAM
2) I’m fundraising to end puppy mills this August 15-30 during the Little Dogs BIG DREAM Virtual Walk for Harley’s Dream. Times are hard, and dogs stuck in cruel puppy mills need us now more than ever. Please support by donating at [enter link to your personal fundraising page] #LittleDogsBIGDREAM
Instagram TIP: Add your fundraising page link to your Profile Bio and post a photo of the Little Dogs BIG DREAM Virtual Walk logo.
I’m fundraising for Harley’s Dream during the Little Dogs BIG DREAM Virtual Walk this August 15-30. I love this organization’s dedication to educating about the evils of puppy mills! Plus, they rescue unwanted senior dogs in need! Please donate if you can – any amount helps! [enter link to your personal fundraising page] #LittleDogsBIGDREAM
Twitter TIP: Here’s a suggested tweet.
I’m walking to end puppy mills and rescue senior dogs with Harley’s Dream! I need your help to reach my goal of [enter amount]. Any amount helps, please donate here: [enter link to your personal fundraising page] #LittleDogsBIGDREAM
TEXT TIP:
TIP #1: Fundraising via text messaging works! Give it a try!
TIP #2: Share a photo of your dog or the Little Dogs BIG DREAM logo with your message.
Hey there! I’m fundraising to help save senior dogs with Harley’s Dream. Can you help? Donate at [enter link to your personal fundraising page]
EMAIL TIP:
Emails work with your friends and family! Try it!
Sample email letters: Copy, paste and fill in the blanks. Get creative and personalize your email letter – it will have more of an impact!
1) Sample Email Letter #1
Have you heard about my fundraiser to support Harley’s Dream and Harley’s House of Dreams for senior dogs?
This August, between 8/15 and 8/30, I will be participating in the Little Dogs BIG DREAM Virtual Walk/Run to raise awareness about puppy mills and to rescue senior dogs in need. I have set an ambitious goal to raise [enter amount] and plan to walk [enter distance] on August [enter date]. I would love to have your support and financial help!
Many of you already know that Harley’s Dream is near and dear to my heart, and that I [share a personal story]. They make a huge impact in the lives of unwanted senior dogs abandoned in shelters, and their educational efforts and billboards nationwide have reached millions!
Will you consider contributing to my campaign? A gift of [suggest amount] will really help their efforts. If you are unable to give at that level, any donation will help!
To support my campaign for Harley’s Dream, please visit my fundraising page at [enter link to your personal fundraising page].
Thank you in advance for supporting my efforts. I could not do this without the generous support of friends and family like you!
Warm regards,
[your name]
All funds raised will support Harley’s Dream to end puppy mills and to save senior dogs in need. Harley’s Dream is a 501(c)(3) registered charity. http://www.harleysdream.org
2) Sample Email Letter #2
This August I am putting my feet to the pavement for dogs in puppy mills. Now that large gatherings are unsafe due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a rescue/animal welfare organization that I care deeply about has had to cancel its largest fundraiser. To help cover costs of their educational efforts against puppy mills, and to raise funds for their program that rescues senior dogs in need, Harley’s Dream will be holding their first annual Little Dogs BIG DREAM Virtual Run/Walk from August 15th – 30th! I am participating, and have made a commitment to walk [enter distance] over these two weeks, and have set an ambitious goal to raise [enter amount].
Can I count on you for your support for a cause that is near and dear to my heart? A donation of [suggest amount] will go a long way toward dogs in need. Honestly, any amount helps. To support my campaign for Harley’s Dream, please visit my fundraising page at [enter link to your personal fundraising page].
All funds raised will support Harley’s Dream to end puppy mills and to save senior dogs in need. Harley’s Dream is a 501(c)(3) registered charity. http://www.harleysdream.org
Thank you in advance for supporting my efforts. I could not do this without the generous support of friends and family like you!
Thanks so much!
[your name]
3) Sample Email Letter #3
I love senior dogs! That’s why I will be walking in the Little Dogs BIG DREAM Virtual Walk/Run between August 15-30. This event will support Harley’s Dream – a 501(c)(3) charity that rescues and rehomes senior dogs in need ad provides them the veterinary care many desperately need. They also reach millions each year in their educational efforts against puppy mills. They truly are dedicated to helping dogs in need. I love that!
I have set a fundraising goal of [enter amount] and will spend [enter time] walking throughout my house and in the backyard. I’ll be staying safe at home while I do what I can to help dogs who really need us. Will you please help me reach my fundraising goal? You can donate at my Personal Fundraising page here: [enter link to your personal fundraising page].
Thank you so much for your support,
[your name]
Learn more at http://www.harleysdream.org
Join the Little Dogs BIG DREAM Participant group on Facebook: After you’ve registered, join the Facebook group for participants only for updates, ideas, and to share your successes and your fun! www.facebook.com/groups/LittleDogsBIGDREAM
Be prepared for YES everywhere you go: Download and print the Offline Donation Form and carry copies with you everywhere you go. Once you have set up your Personal Fundraising Page, go to your dashboard to register offline donations (cash or check). Mail the Offline Donation Form with the funds to Harley’s Dream. Many people prefer to give cash or write a check for their donation and it’s best to always be prepared to accept their money!
Set out a Donation Jar: At your home or place of employment to help spread the word and help reach your fundraising goals. Download and print the Little Dogs BIG DREAM Jar Label – and don’t forget to enter the amount you raise on your Personal Fundraising Page as Offline Donations and submit the funds and the Offline Donation Form to Harley’s Dream!
Be thankful. Share your gratitude. Share your updates: Keep the conversation going about the event, Harley’s Dream by reaching out personally to thank those who have donated to your cause. Let them know how close you are to your personal financial goal. Share your progress updates. People love to celebrate others’ successes!
5 Easy Steps to Raise $300
1. Make your own contribution: $25
2. Ask (4) family members to match your donation: $100
3. Ask someone to contribute who you think will go BIG: $100
4. Ask someone you have sponsored in the past: $25
5. Ask friends to support a cause dear to your heart (5 friends x $10) $50
SAMPLE PERSONAL FUNDRAISING PAGE STORY:
(Don’t forget photos!)
This August I am doing my part to help dogs in need by participating in the Little Dogs BIG DREAM virtual event to raise funds in support of spreading awareness about puppy mills and helping to rescue dogs in need.
Their mission is important to me because (tell your story).
I have set a personal goal to (insert your personal goal).
Some examples: walk my dog every day for 1 mile, ride my bike 5 times a week for a total of 20 miles, walk on a treadmill every day for 20 minutes, run a 10k, walk 5k (choose whatever goal you’d like to accomplish).
Harley’s Dream had to cancel their largest annual fundraiser this year due to COVID concerns, so I have also set an ambitious personal fundraising goal of (enter amount).
Can I count on you for your support for this cause that is near and dear to my heart? A donation of just (suggest $ amount) will go a long way toward helping dogs in need. Honestly, any amount helps. All funds raised will support Harley’s Dream to end puppy mills and to save senior dogs in need. Harley’s Dream is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Thank you for supporting my efforts. I could not do this without the generous help of friends and family like you!