Support the Cure

Donate, host a fundraising event or attend one in your community. Let others know about our urgency for funding to find new treatments and a cure.

Here are a few tips:

• Fundraising in 5 Easy Steps 
  • Step One: Tell Your Story
  • Step Two: Choose How You Will Raise Funds
    • Dress Casual at Work
    • Shop to Support PD
  • Step Three: Set Goals and Plan
  • Step Four: Recognize Your Support Network
  • Step Five: Join Forces with PDF Champions

Plan a Fundraising Event in 5 Easy Steps

How can you support the Parkinson’s cause? Donate, host an event or attend one to let the community know about the urgency for new treatments and a cure.

Last year, supporters of PDF raised nearly $200,000. Most of these gifts were $25 and under. You too can do it!

Here are some fundraising tips and tools to help you plan for your event. Contact Parkinson’s organizations, including PDF, for further guidance in planning your event.

Step One: Tell Your Story

Ask yourself, “Why am I raising money for Parkinson’s disease research?” This will prove to be one of your best tools as you move forward. Write a paragraph or two about how Parkinson’s has affected you. Creating this statement of purpose will give you focus and organize your thoughts. It will enable you to communicate your goals effectively to rally supporters.

Most fundraising will involve a personal letter from you, letting your friends and family know why the Parkinson’s cause is important to you, details of your event and fundraising goals. Most people also utilize emails and personal web pages, available through organizations like PDF. It’s a good idea to have someone who is a good
writer take a look. Here are some good things to include:

• Personal information about yourself: Let people know why you have decided to fundraise for PDF. Why Parkinson’s? How has the disease affected your life?
• General information about PDF or your PD organization: Be sure to include the organization contact info (like a website address and phone number) and let them know that the organization is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Your donors want to know they are contributing to a legitimate charity.
• Your fundraising goal: This lets those who are donating know exactly how much money you want to raise. Give specific instructions on how they can contribute.
• Use a bullet format: This allows you to highlight key points so people can get the most important information easily, like how to donate, details on your event and your fundraising goal.

Step Two: Choose How You Will Raise Funds

You are really passionate about raising awareness about Parkinson’s and funds for research, but what else are you passionate about? Art? Sports? Food? It can be anything. Get creative!

Here are some ideas from PDF’s fundraising staff. If you have an idea for a unique fundraiser, go with it!

• Sports — Get up and go!
  Many athletes channel their energy into raising money by running, biking, dancing, organizing a golf tournament or participating in a walk-a-thon. If there is a sport that you particularly enjoy, why not do it to raise money for Parkinson’s?
• Workplace Giving — Making your work, work for you!
  Many companies already have philanthropic giving programs, so ask your human resources department about matching gifts and corporate sponsorship. You can also get your colleagues involved by organizing an annual work fundraiser, or asking them to participate in an event you have planned for outside of work.
• Providing Services — Give a little, get a lot!
  Everyone needs their cars washed ... dogs bathed … and who doesn’t enjoy a good bake sale? These are just a few things you can do to provide a needed service to community members and raise funds at the same time!
• Special Events — Turning get-togethers into money-makers!
  Fundraising presents the perfect opportunity to get your friends together doing something that you all enjoy — while supporting PDF! Ask people to “ante up” for a poker tournament, or sell tickets to a barbecue, picnic or a fun theme party.

If you have an idea, do not hesitate to ask — you never know until you do!

Dress Casual at Work to Raise Funds!

Make dressing casual in your workplace a way to raise money for Parkinson’s disease research!

Organize a day when employees dress down or wear jeans in exchange for a $5.00 donation to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation.

If you can wear jeans every day, ask employees to wear a grey or silver top, the suggested color for Parkinson's. PDF will provide “Join the Parkinson's Fight” stickers to all employees who participate. To request stickers, bracelets and other promotional materials, contact PDF at info@pdf.org or (800) 457-6676. Please allow three weeks to process your order.

Shop to Support PD!

Wear your support on your sleeve ... literally!

• Shop on PDF’s Online Store: Items include the official Parkinson’s Awareness t-shirt, which was designed by a person living with Parkinson’s. Also order mugs, bumper stickers and other items at www.pdf.org/shop_support_pdf.
• Shop For a Cause with iGive.com: Shop online at over 700 brand name stores and a portion of each purchase will be donated to PDF, when you choose us as your beneficiary. Participating stores include eBay, Barnes & Noble, Overstock.com, JCPenney, Best Buy, Gap, and NORDSTROM. Visit www.igive.com to learn more.

Step Three: Set Goals and Plan

The planning of your fundraiser is vital, no matter how simple or complex it is. When setting your goal, take into consideration the scope of the fundraiser you are planning and how much effort you and your team are willing to put into it. You know your community best and you know what you are comfortable asking of people. Set a realistic goal, and then set it a little higher — dream big!

The Basics

• What is the event name? When and where will my event take place? What are my fundraising goals?

Budgeting

• Consider any up-front costs or significant fees. Think about items you will need to hold your event. This could include the venue, printing costs, food, beverages, music, etc.
• Ask local businesses for donations in return for publicity.

Fundraising

• Set up a webpage. PDF and other organizations can provide a webpage for you to personalize. Tell your story, upload pictures, share it with family and friends.
• Write my fundraising letter and/or email. It’s one of the easiest ways to fundraise, (see a sample fundraising letter).

Marketing/Promotions

• How will I market my event? Word of mouth, flyers, invitations, posters, etc.?
• Do I want to get media coverage for my event?
• Do I need to hire a photographer or ask a friend to take pictures during my event?

Entertainment/Equipment

• Do I plan on having entertainment? DJ, band, dancers?
• Will my entertainment need equipment?

Staffing/Volunteers

• Will I need volunteers to assist me in the planning or set up of my event?

Event Day!

• What kind of supplies do I need?
• Do I need a registration area? If yes, what supplies will I need?

Post Event

• Say thank you! Don’t forget to thank all your donors and volunteers. Update them on the success of your event and invite them to attend next year.

Step Four: Recognize Your Network of Support

Be it fantasy football league, Zumba class or book club, you are connected to so many people and everyone wants to join a worthy cause.

• Ask your immediate circle to ask two people to your event, and so on.
• For those who can’t donate, put them to work! The person who serves your morning coffee can become your biggest spokesperson, children can post flyers, and friends can help on the day of the event. You are surrounded by a huge support network; all you have to do is activate it!

Step Five: PDF is Here to Help

Join PDF Champions

PDF Champions are the inspiring individuals who are raising funds to improve the lives and futures of people touched by Parkinson’s.

PDF and our PDF Champions Ambassador, WNBA star Ivory Latta, invite you to join us by holding your own fundraising events. Big or small, your fundraiser is going to make a difference. $150 dollars answers 10 phone calls on our National HelpLine. $3,000 will fund a Summer Research Fellowship. Whatever type of event you decide on, we'll provide you with the support you need to make it a success.

• You will be connected to one of our staff members who will work with you every step of the way, providing tips, resources and guidance on how to meet your goal.
• You can create a customized web page for your event. Upload pictures, share details of your event, tell others why the Parkinson's cause is important to you, and ask your supporters to donate online.
• We will feature your fundraiser on our events calendar, Facebook page and Twitter feed to ensure that the community knows about your effort.

You can become a PDF Champion anytime of year. Here are two fun ways to join in during April:

30 in 30 Challenge

Can YOU help PDF meet its goal of 30 events in 30 days during April? Imagine the awareness raised if each day of the month included a Parkinson's event. Contact us to be part of this special group!

Campus Challenge

College campuses are a perfect place to hold PDF Champions events. PDF is challenging college students to step up during April 2013. Participants in teams of two or more are invited to hold events on campus to raise funds and awareness for Parkinson’s research on any day during the month of April. There will be two grand prize winners at the end of the campaign; one for the most creative fundraising idea, and the other for the most funds raised.

Get Started

Next: Awareness Tools