Best Buddies Friend-A-Thon

BEST BUDDIES FRIEND-A-THON TOOLKIT

The Friend-a-Thon is our April fundraising initiative supporting the Best Buddies Friendship Walk on Saturday, May 4th Participants will reach out to friends, family, peers, etc to raise funds and awareness for the Friendship Walk - which promotes inclusion and friendships for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In this toolkit, you’ll find sample scripts and fundraising tools to help you succeed in making a difference in our community and earn fun prizes along the way

FUNDRAISING TIPS & STRATEGIES

Set realistic goals

Personalize your outreach Page 2

SPREAD THE WORD!

Suggested social media plan

Dropbox link to logos, 2023 photo selects, etc. Page 7

SAMPLE SCRIPTS

Phone call talking points

Email templates

Participant’s program pillar perspective

Pages 3-6

FUNDRAISING INCENTIVES

State challenges and incentives Page 8

National incentive prizes

wwwbestbuddiesfriendshipwalkorg/maryland

FUNDRAISING TIPS & STRATEGIES

SET REALISTIC GOALS

Break down your overall fundraising target into smaller, achievable milestones

Consider factors like your network size, available resources, and fundraising timeframe when setti your goals

Aim for a balance between challenging yourself and setting attainable goals to stay motivated throughout the fundraising process.

PERSONALIZE OUTREACH

Tailor your fundraising messages to resonate with different audiences, such as family, friends, colleagues, and community members

Share personal stories that highlight the impact of your participation and the importance of supporting Best Buddies’ mission.

Use language that is relatable and inclusive, focusing on the positive outcomes and benefits of contributing to your fundraising efforts

OFFER INCENTIVES & REWARDS

Price: $ 1250.00

Offer rewards or recognition for reaching specific fundraising targets, such as shout-outs on social media, thank-you notes, or personalized acknowledgements

Consider organizing fundraising challenges, raffles, or virtual events to incentivize donations and make the fundraising experience more engaging and enjoyable.

Price: $ 1450 00

By implementing these strategies, participants can effectively engage their networks, inspire donations, and make meaningful impact in support of Best Buddies’ mission of friendship and inclusion

We’ve tailored these scripts based on our program pillars, ensuring that your outreach aligns with the specific impact areas of Best Buddies. If you’re participating in the Friendship Program pillar, you’re promoting the power of genuine connections in our school chapters, citizens, or e-Buddies. Use the following script to share your passion for friendship and to inspire others to support the Friendship Walk.

FRIENDSHIP PROGRAM

Hi [insert name],

I am thrilled to invite you to join me in the 2024 Best Buddies Friendship Walk at the University of Maryland to champion friendship, inclusion, and a possibility. As a dedicated participant in the Friendship Program pillar, I’m passionate about fostering genuine connections and spreading joy in our community

This year, my goal is to raise at least $[insert dollar amount] to support the Best Buddies Friendship Program, which matches individuals with and without disabilities in one-toone friendships. These friendships not only enrich the lives of participants but also promotes acceptance and understanding in our society

As a member of the [Insert School Name/Program] Best Buddies chapter, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the transformative power of friendship firsthand Our chapter consists of [number] participants who engage in various activities and community service projects, all centered around the values of inclusivity and compassion

Would you consider supporting my efforts? Your donation will help open more Best Buddies chapters in schools that currently don’t have them, providing more individuals with the opportunity to experience the joy of friendship.

Our collective goal is $375,000, and with your support, we can make a significant impact in the lives of individuals with disabilities.

Price: $ 1450 00

Thank you for supporting me in this important cause! You can read more story and donate directly on my personal fundraising page: [Include link here to your page].

I’ve attached some photos of the wonderful moments I’ve shared with my Best Buddies Together, let’s make a difference!

In friendship, [Your name]

If you’re participating in the Best Buddies Jobs Program, you’re advocating for inclusive employment opportunities and empowering individuals with disabilities to thrive in the workplace. Use the following script to share your journey and passion for employment inclusion, inspiring others to support the Friendship Walk and contribute to Best Buddies’ mission of creating more opportunities like yours for individuals with disabilities.

JOBS PROGRAM

Hi [insert name],

I hope this email finds you well. I’m excited to share that I’m participating in the upcoming Best Buddies Friendship Walk and I would love your support in helping me achieve my fundraising goal!

As a participant in the Best Buddies Jobs Program, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to gain integrative employment and experience firsthand the transformative power of meaningful work Best Buddies Jobs provides individuals with disabilities - like me, the chance to secure employment opportunities and thrive in the workplace.

Thanks to programs like Best Buddies Jobs, I’ve been able to develop my skills, build confidence, and contribute to my community in meaningful ways Now, I’m passionate about giving others the same opportunities I’ve had.

By supporting my participation in the Friendship Walk, you’ll be directly contributing to Best Buddies’ mission of empowering individuals with disabilities through employment Your donation will give more individuals the chance to find fulfilling employment and achieve their full potential.

Would you consider making a donation to support my fundraising efforts? You can donate directly to my personal fundraising page here [insert link to your page].

Thank you so much for considering supporting me in this cause Together, we can make a real difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities and create more inclusive communities where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

Price: $ 1450 00

In friendship, [Your name]

Below is a script tailored for individuals who are a part of the Ambassador Program, a key component of Best Buddies’ Leadership Development pillar. Ambassadors learn to use their voices to advocate for inclusion and raise awareness for the organization’s mission through public speaking engagements, advocacy efforts, and community outreach.

LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

Hi [insert name],

I hope you’re doing well I’m reaching out to share something exciting - I’m participating in the upcoming Best Buddies Friendship Walk, and I would love your support in helping me reach my fundraising goal!

As a proud member of the Ambassador Program, a part of Best Buddies’ Leadership Development pillar, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to use my voice to advocate for inclusion and raise awareness for our mission. Through public speaking engagements, advocacy efforts, and community outreach, I’ve been able to make a positive impact and spread the message of friendship and acceptance

Now, I’m excited to take my advocacy efforts to the next level by participating in the Friendship Walk By supporting my participation, you’ll be contributing to Best Buddies’ mission of fostering friendships, promoting inclusion, and empowering individuals with disabilities to thrive

Would you consider making a donation to support my fundraising efforts? Your contribution will help fund programs like the Ambassador Program, providing more individuals with the opportunity to learn valuable leadership skills and advocate for inclusion in their communities.

You can donate directly to my personal fundraising page here: [insert link to your page].

Price: $ 1450 00

Thank you so much for considering supporting me in this cause. Together, we can make a real difference in promoting friendship, inclusion, and acceptance in our communities.

In friendship, [Your name]

PHONE TALKING POINTS

Introduction: Greet the person warmly and introduce yourself.

Explanation of a Friend-a-Thon: Explain that you’re participating in the Friend-a-Thon - an event supporting the Best Buddies Friendship Walk and the Best Buddies mission of fostering friendships and inclusion for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Personal Connection: Share why you’re passionate about Best Buddies and your personal connection to the cause, whether through volunteering, personal experiences, or a desire to make a difference in your community.

Fundraising Goal: Mention your fundraising goal for the Friend-aThon and explain how their support can help you reach it, emphasizing that every donation makes a difference, no matter how small.

Impact of Support: Highlight the impact of their support, such as funding programs like the Friendship Program, Jobs Program, and Leadership Development, which empower individuals with disabilities to thrive and succeed.

Call to Action: Encourage them to consider supporting your efforts by making a donation or spreading the word about the Friend-a-Thon to their network and that their contribution will help create more opportunities for friendship and inclusion.

Thank You and Closing: Express gratitude for their time and consideration, and offer to provide more information or the link to your personal fundraising page if they’re interested in learning more or making a donation

SPREAD THE WORD

Use your personal pages, chapter-specific accounts or both - social media provides a powerful platform to reach a wide audience and inspire action By leveraging social media, we can unite individuals from diverse backgrounds and communities to advocate for friendship and inclusion Let’s use our voices and platforms to make a meaningful impact

SOCIAL MEDIA PLAN

WEEK 1: ANNOUNCEMENT & ENGAGEMENT

Post an announcement of your participation in the Friend-a-Thon/Friendship Walk, explaining why you’re participating and how others can get involved

Share a personal story or photo about your involvement with Best Buddies and why the cause is important to you

Encourage followers to join you by registering for the walk or donating to your fundraising page

WEEK 2-3: FUNDRAISING FOCUS

Launch a fundraising challenge or initiative to encourage early engagement and donations

Share regular updates about your fundraising progress and any events or activities you’re organizing to support your efforts

Host a virtual event (Facebook Live Q&A, Instagram Stories takeover, etc) to engage your audience and provide fundraising tips

WEEK 4: AMPLIFY AWARENESS

Collaborate with local businesses or influencers to amplify awareness of the event and reach a wider audience

Share testimonials or stories from individuals who have benefited from Best Buddies programs to showcase our impact - create a “Why I Walk” video

Price: $ 1250.00

Create shareable graphics, videos, or infographics highlighting key statistics, facts, or quotes related to friendship and inclusion to spread awareness

WEEK 5: FINAL PUSH & GRATITUDE

Launch a final fundraising push

Thank your supporters and provide updates on your progress toward your fundraising goal

Encourage last-minute registrations and donations by offering incentives or rewards for participation

Share post-event updates, photos, and thank-you messages to acknowledge everyone who participated, donated, or supported your efforts

Price: $ 1450 00

Click the Dropbox link below to access last year’s photos You’ll also find this year’s “Life is Better with Best Buddies” logo, and other miscellaneous Friendship Walk/Best Buddies branding Feel free to utilize any of these when promoting the Friend-a-Thon & Walk on your personal pages

FUNDRAISING INCENTIVES

MARYLAND CHALLENGES/INCENTIVES

Top 10 Chapters with the highest fundraising total by May 2nd at 5:00pm get a tent in Chapter Village Chapter with the highest fundraising total by May 2nd gets to lead the walk.

NATIONAL INCENTIVES:

$50 - “Life is Better with Best Buddies” Friendship Walk t-shirt

$150 - Friendship Bracelet with a choice of Best Buddies socks

$250 - “Everybuddy Belongs” long sleeve t-shirt

$500 - Sunglasses with either a Best Buddies bucket hat or rope hat

$750 - Best Buddies backpack or picnic blanket

$1,000 - Best Buddies Owala

$1,500 - Custom Best Buddies Vans

$2,500 - Best Buddies Skullcandy Headphones

$5,000 - Best Buddies “Changemaker” Zip-Up