Fundraising Resources For Our Equipment
grant proposals
There are a number of fantastic grant opportunities to explore for purchasing equipment for both personal use and on behalf of an organization. Here are some examples: Municipal and Federal Grants, Rick Hansen Foundation, BC Rehab Foundation, Variety Club Charity... Do a google search and see what is available in your area. If you need assistance answering questions or tips for writing a compelling proposal, contact us!
equipment sponsorship
Many local businesses and banks are more than happy to sponsor adaptive equipment for community programs. This is especially effective if you have a personal contact (ie. your bank, your local grocer, your accounting firm). It is a powerful way to brand themselves and show their support for meaningful local initiatives. You can offer to add them to your website, thank them via social media and display their logo to your equipment. Stop by or give them a call to inquire about their application procedure and get the process rolling!
crowd funding
What exactly is Crowdfunding?
Crowdfunding is the practice of funding a project, venture, or purchase by raising small amounts of money from a large number of people.
There are quite a few different crowdfunding platforms online. If you're trying to get financial support for adaptive equipment, we recommend using GoFundMe because (unlike Kickstarter) it's geared at individuals raising money for a specific cause.
Why You Should Try It
We know that it can feel strange to share financial struggles or ask for help through a website, but remember, your friends and family want you to be happy. Creating a GoFundMe in order to purchase a piece of adaptive sports equipment provides a specific goal that they can help you achieve, and that will make them happy too. At Access Revolution we believe that money, or a lack thereof, shouldn't prevent anyone from getting the adaptive equipment they need to pursue a more fulfilling life - we bet your friends and family feel the same way.
Tips for a Successful Campaign
GoFundMe makes it easy to create and share campaigns in a positive way. They've also put together a handy blog post detailing the best way to create a successful crowdfunding campaign on their site. We're including the basics below, and you can check out the full article here.
Share with Friends and Family on Facebook
"Sharing your campaign on Facebook increases donations by 350%. It really is that important. If you do not have a Facebook account, consider asking a close friend or relative who does to share your campaign to their Facebook for you."
Share your link through email, text messages, and other social networks
"Building a strong sense of community and awareness around your campaign will go a long way with maintaining consistent donation volume."
Make Your Campaign Look its Best
"Use a great photo or make a video. This is your shot at a first impression and it should create a strong reaction, like 'Wow!' or 'Aw!' or 'I need to know more about this…' Try to use photos of the people involved whenever possible. They get stronger reactions than a graphic or some text. Try to avoid blurry or low quality images."
Keep Your Donors in the Loop
"Donors and followers love to know how their donations are working for you. Keep your story fresh and interesting by posting frequent ‘Update Messages’ to your campaign."
Show your Appreciation
"Thank your donors! They’re spending their hard earned money to help you do something that is special and important to you. We’ve made it simple for you to let them know just how much their support means to you."
Learning by Example
The best way to create a successful crowdfunding campaign is to take a closer look at campaigns that have been successful in the past, and learn from them. So get online and see what has worked best for others and then apply it!
(Thank you to GRIT for sharing this crowd funding info with our community)