February 26, 2025
How to Fundraise for H2gO
We are so excited for you to be joining people from all over the globe for H2gO! You’ve registered for H2gO… Now what?? Fundraising can seem daunting at first, but we want you to know we always have your back. And remember, there’s a reason you began this journey, so keep the mission alive! Hear from previous participants about what participating in Shower Strike has meant to them.
“Through Well Aware, I’ve had an opportunity to interact with people I haven’t spoken to in years as well as people I’ve never met. One piece of advice I would give for new participants is to send personalized requests and thank you’s.” – Mary Elizabeth Ellis
“I raised $1,110 in 3 days! It was amazing. I loved seeing how generous people can be. I used social media to educate my followers on the cause. Without even asking for their donation, my friends, families and even strangers felt compelled to participate in the fundraising. Tips for new participants: show your passion for the cause and people will respond.”
“I love talking to people about it – whether at work, social media, with strangers. And the conversations are some of the best and eye-opening for others. It’s a reminder of what most of us take for granted every single day. To new participants: Know you are making a huge difference. Whatever the amount you fundraise, you raise even more awareness for Well Aware, and for water issues. You never know who you will inspire to join the team or donate in different ways.”
All you have to do to be successful is believe in the clean water cause, stay committed to your goals, unleash your creativity, and most importantly, enjoy the journey! With that mindset, let’s dive into your ultimate fundraising guide.
Steps to Kick off your Fundraising
STEP 1. PERSONALIZE YOUR PAGE. Add your own text, pictures, and videos. Remember your potential donors will be interested in the cause, but they are primarily interested in you. Make sure you tell them why you are getting involved, how you are participating, and what your connection to the cause is in the message portion of your fundraising page. Click here for more tips on how to personalize your fundraising page.
STEP 2. GET THE BALL ROLLING. Other people are more likely to donate to your page when they see that someone has already contributed. That’s why it’s always a good idea to get your fundraising off to a good start by making the first contribution. This will make others more likely to get involved, and donating some of your own money also demonstrates to potential supporters that you are serious about helping Well Aware’s clean water mission.
STEP 3. START WITH YOUR CLOSE CONTACTS. Kickstart your fundraising journey by reaching out to your closest contacts – after all, they’re the ones most likely to support you, and you’re probably most comfortable reaching out to them. Start by sending quick personal messages to your inner circle, sharing your cause, and building momentum. We will have ready-to-use email and text templates that can be found in the Toolkit. But remember, the key ingredient to any message is your personal connection to the cause. Let your loved ones know why this cause matters to you – that’s what resonates with them the most!
- Use the Onion Method. Think about your fundraising strategy like peeling an onion from the inside out. The best fundraisers start by asking their closest contacts first (the core) and progressively work outward to more distant contacts (the outer skin).
- Core: 5-10 very close contacts (family and your closest friend or 2)
- First layer: 10-15 close contacts (your entire circle of good friends)
- Second layer: As many other contacts you feel comfortable sending a message to (co-workers, friends of friends, distant relatives, your entire address book, etc.)
- Last layer: Social media and ask friends to share your posts to expand your reach. Click here to learn how to make the most of your campaign on Social Media
- PRO TIP: Keep your message clear, direct, and timely! Don’t be afraid to add some visual and personal elements to catch donors’ attention and inspire immediate action. When writing to your contacts, be yourself. If something feels forced or inauthentic, scrap it.
STEP 4: NOW MOVE TO SOCIAL MEDIA. Once you’ve sent your first batch of personal messages, it’s time to turn to social media. This will help you spread your message further and reach people in your broader network – leading to more donations and visibility. Plus, it’s fun to share the good you’re doing in the world! Not sure where to start? Don’t worry, we’ve got social media tips for you here.
STEP 5: REMIND, REMIND, REMIND. Don’t hesitate to send multiple follow-ups. Messages are easy to overlook and people often open them up quickly and then forget to go back to them. Following up can feel daunting if you don’t know how to word your ask differently. Here are some resources you could include in your follow-up communications:
- Use Milestones as a follow-up tool. Keep people up to date with your progress as you hit different milestones (50% raised, 75% raised, etc.) and ask supporters to help you hit the next one.
- Consider including inspiring stories you have about the cause. Our Faces of Water stories and information about our Water Projects are great to include!
- Share related current blogs. We have blogs about all things water – from facts on the water crisis to how we build our clean water systems, and much, much more. Send to your contacts so they can learn more about why this cause is so critical!
STEP 6: THANK AND UPDATE YOUR NETWORK. As more of your network gets behind you, keep thanking them on social media, text, and email – and make sure you continue to share your progress towards your goal.
- Share Updates on the H2gO Platform. When you use the updates section in your dashboard, it will show up on your fundraising page! This is a great way to thank donors and share progress. Learn how to do this here.
- Share Updates on Social Media multiple times throughout your campaign. You can even tag your donors to give them a shoutout, encouraging other people to donate, too.
- PRO TIP: While thanking your donors via digital methods is important, don’t underestimate the power of an old-fashioned handwritten card! It only takes a few minutes to do and can make an incredible impact on those you send it to.
STEP 7: CRUSH YOUR FUNDRAISING GOAL! If you follow these steps, we know you’ll reach your goal! If you get discouraged or need help along the way, email us, and we’ll help you brainstorm. Remember, it’s easier than it seems, and every $20 you raise will change the life of ONE PERSON forever. That’s a big impact you just made – congrats!
Fundraising often takes a little creativity and persistence, but it’s vitally important to our mission and you can do it. Know that your effort will make a big difference! THANK YOU! Need support? Email us!