Online Social Network Fundraising Advice

Much of the success of social network fundraising products like DonorPages is due to how they give supporters more “ownership” of their fundraising. Online fundraising tools save time (no collecting checks and cash donations) and make it easier to raise money, thus increasing fundraising results for your official events, campaigns, appeals and other fundraising efforts. But when your supporters take it a step further and combine their passion for your cause with their other passions, your organization benefits in unexpected ways! Here’s one very inspiring example:

When her daughter, Cindy Sherwin, passed away from a sudden brain aneurysm, Elaine Schaller reached out to the The Brain Aneurysm Foundation (BAF). She wanted to learn how she could honor Cindy’s memory by promoting early detection and prevention.

“Cindy died at 33 of a ruptured brain aneurysm while preparing for her first Ironman in 2007.” explains Elaine. “One minute she was riding her bike down Riverside Drive in New York and the next minute she was gone. It might  have been prevented had we known that Cindy had this aneurysm.”

Shortly after, Christine Buckley, BAF’s Executive Director, told Cindy’s story to a supporter while at a conference in Washington, DC. This supporter, who competes in Ironman competitions, suggested he “run for Cindy” and raise funds for BAF. They gave him his own personal online fundraising site, and he raised over $14,351.00 participating in a triathlon.

Team Cindy's DonorPages site

Word spread, and the following year, five athletes formed Team Cindy, and raised over $25,000 while participating in various marathons and triathlons. To date in 2010, eighteen Team Cindy athletes have raised $46,700, combining their passion for triathlon and marathon competition with raising funds in honor of Cindy, for BAF. Elaine now manages Team Cindy and serves on BAF’s board of directors, and she has plans to expand the team to 30 athletes in 2011.

BAF and Elaine, along with the Team Cindy athletes, are rapidly growing a community of people whose shared passion for running, biking and swimming is made all the more meaningful by the very real contribution they make to this important cause. And not just through the funds they raise. Their DonorPages site, FaceBook page and emails they send all help promote awareness, education, support and research funding to reduce the incidence of brain aneurysms.

I had the opportunity to offer some design and layout advice for their 2010 Team Cindy site. Elaine was kind enough to express her thanks, telling me I “have become another important member of our (Cindy’s) team.” I can hardly put into words how moved I was, and how impressed I’ve been as I’ve followed the growth of Team Cindy.

Elaine further added, “This has been a very important part of my healing process. Team Cindy marries what she lived for and what she died of. It’s a perfect way to memorialize her.”