Thank you for creating a fundraiser for Boston Medical Center! We are deeply grateful for your commitment to supporting BMC patients and our community. Below is everything you'll need to help make your fundraiser a success. If you have questions, please contact Marc Smith at Marcus.Smith@bmc.org.
How to use your fundraising page
How to use your fundraising page
- Access your donor portal here. Enter your email address, and you'll receive an email with a login link. Once you are logged in, click Fundraisers where you can update your message, photo and goal, see donors who have supported your initiative, and monitor your progress.
- Share your fundraising link every time you ask for donations. You can access the link from emails you receive about your fundraiser or in your donor portal.
How to ask for donations
Get organized. Make a list of everyone you would like to ask, the amount you are asking for, and the methods you are using to contact them. An Excel spreadsheet is a great way to keep track.
Learn about BMC. This will help you talk to donors about the great work they're supporting. See BMC stats and stories.
Add a personal touch. Explain why you are fundraising and why BMC is so important to you. People are more likely to give when they feel an emotional connection to the cause.
Always wear your fundraising hat. You never know when or where your next donation will come from. Every interaction is a chance to let people know how they can support your efforts.
Avoid group texts or emails. Make your requests for support personal. Reach out one on one.
Make things easy. Eliminate guesswork and ask for a specific donation amount. Let people know your fundraising goal so they can see how their support helps your progress.
Persistence is KEY. People are busy. You may need to ask several times before receiving a donation. Don’t be afraid to send a follow-up email, write a letter, or post on social media.
Mix it up! Asking through multiple channels is always effective. Use email, postcards, letters, social media, text, phone—whatever works to reach your network.
Thank your donors. Email or post a thank-you and include an update on your progress. Continuing to engage your donors can motivate them to make an extra gift.
Don’t fear rejection. Not everyone will say "yes," but the more people you ask, the more you'll raise!
Social tips and sample posts
Tips
- Post often, share why you're fundraising for BMC, give fundraising updates, and encourage those who haven't donated yet to support you.
- Include an eye-catching photo of someone or something that inspired you to fundraise for BMC.
- Tag Boston Medical Center in your posts.
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- Facebook: @BostonMedicalCenter
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- Instagram: @bostonmedicalcenter
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- LinkedIn: @boston-medical-center
- Add your fundraiser page link to every post and in your Instagram bio.
- Thank your donors and tag them in your posts. It may encourage others to support you.
Sample posts
Here are a few social posts to help get you started. Feel free to customize!
Facebook
I'm fundraising for @bostonmedicalcenter, because I believe that all people deserve the very best healthcare. Will you help me reach my (add your fundraising goal) fundraising goal? Donate here: (add your fundraising page link)
Exceptional care at BMC is so much more than treating an illness. Their innovative, first-of-its-kind programs help patients get healthy and stay well. BMC was the first hospital to establish a therapeutic food pantry, the first to offer free tax services to families; these and so many other programs require philanthropy to thrive.
Instagram
I'm fundraising for @BostonMedicalCenter, because I believe that all people deserve the very best healthcare. Will you help me reach my (add your fundraising goal) fundraising goal? Visit the link in my bio to donate.
Exceptional care at BMC is so much more than treating an illness. Their innovative, first-of-their-kind programs help patients get healthy and stay well. BMC was the first hospital to establish a therapeutic food pantry, the first to offer free tax services to families; these and so many other programs require philanthropy to thrive.
LinkedIn
I'm fundraising for @boston-medical-center, because I believe that all people deserve the very best healthcare. Will you help me reach my (add your fundraising goal) fundraising goal? Donate here: (add your fundraising page link)
Exceptional care at BMC is so much more than treating an illness. Their innovative, first-of-their-kind programs help patients get healthy and stay well. BMC was the first hospital to establish a therapeutic food pantry, the first to offer free tax services to families; these and so many other programs require philanthropy to thrive.
X (formerly twitter)
I'm fundraising for @The_BMC, because I believe that all people deserve the very best healthcare. Will you help me reach my (add your fundraising goal) fundraising goal? Donate here: (add your fundraising page link)
Email tips
Sending emails is an easy and effective way to ask for donations. Remember: follow-ups are important, as it can often take several touch points to get a response.
What to include in your email:
- Your fundraising goal.
- Why you are fundraising. Share your connection to BMC. Personal stories are powerful.
- A request for a specific donation amount—remember to include the link to your fundraising page.
- A thank you. Regardless of whether someone donates, acknowledge their time, consideration, and support.
Build your outreach list:
- Start close. Friends, family, colleagues, classmates, holiday card list, parents' holiday card list, house of worship directory, etc.
- Widen your circle. Ask your friends, family, and coworkers to help you by spreading the word about your efforts among their family and friends.
- Include places you do business. Will an event be part of your fundraiser? Many businesses you support regularly have a budget for supporting events like yours. Be sure to reach out to dry cleaners, restaurants, convenience stores, grocery stores, realtors, and hairdressers.
Fundraising event guidelines
Will an event be part of your fundraiser? Any volunteer fundraising event that benefits BMC must follow the guidelines below and abide by the requirements of BMC's status as a tax-exempt charitable organization.
Planning
- The volunteer fundraising event should complement the mission and image of BMC.
- BMC reserves the right to decline approval or withdraw as beneficiary of the event at any time if it believes there is a conflict of interest or if the event may negatively reflect on Boston Medical Center.
- You must provide insurance certificates as required by local, state, and federal laws. BMC is not responsible in any way for casualties or situations that occur at your fundraising event.
- If your event takes place outdoors, you should provide a rain date within a week of the original event date.
Finance
- You are responsible for covering all expenses for the event. BMC will not reimburse you for any expenses.
- The estimated cost per dollar raised should be less than 50%. BMC works hard to maintain a low cost per dollar spent/raised ratio and asks its event organizers to do the same to ensure dollars raised support programs and services.
- If you plan to pay expenses out of the event's proceeds, then you should deduct those costs from the funds raised before you send the final donation check to BMC. To do this, the event coordinator should establish a non-interest-bearing account with a local bank and name BMC as the event beneficiary (for example, you can call your event "Ride for the Kids to benefit Boston Medical Center," but not "Boston Medical Center Ride for the Kids"). The event coordinator will pay expenses from this account and then, after paying all the expenses, send a final check to BMC.
- You must disclose the fair market value of each auction item and raffle prize. Do not list any item as "priceless."
Promotion
- You may use BMC's name and logo only with BMC's prior written approval. If BMC approves your event, you may use the appropriate name and logo in your marketing materials. BMC must review all event-related materials before printing and distribution.
- BMC is not financially or otherwise liable for the promotion or staging of any fundraising event by a third-party organization or individual.
Donations
- Donors who make gifts through your online fundraising page will receive an electronic tax receipt.
- Donors making donations by check will be receipted if the check is made out to Boston Medical Center and your name/the name of your fundraiser is noted in the memo line.
- If you are coordinating a product donation and are interested in a tax receipt for your donor, please contact Marc Smith at Marcus.Smith@bmc.org.
