Online fundraising- Firstgiving

Special Olympics Georgia has recently added online fundraising through www.Firstgiving.com. 

This online service allows for you to create your own personal fundraising page, add your photo and your own personal message and email the link out to all of your contacts.  Donors are then able to learn more about your charitable work and fundraising efforts and make a secure donation online.  The money is deposited directly into SOGA’s bank account and reports are generated weekly through the state office. You don’t have to do anything except set up a page and thank the donor personally! 

 Creating page is simple and quick.  Follow these steps to create your page:

1.      Visit www.firstgiving.com/soga

2.      Click the Get Started button

3.      Select Your Event. If you don't see your event, select SOGA General.

4.      Please Enter Your Email Address and select that you are new to the site

5.      Your Details – Please enter your personal contact information

6.      Are you part of a team?  Either select:

a.       No, I am raising funds on my own and not part of a team

b.      Yes, I am raising funds as part of a team

                                                                           i.      Select a team that already exists

                                                                         ii.      Can’t find your team?   Add a new team on the right hand side of the page

·        Why be a part of a team?  By attaching your fundraising page to a team, the amount you raise can be added to the team's overall fundraising total.  For example, Kennesaw Police Department has a team page, so officers with Kennesaw Police Department can each individually raise funds and their individual totals be added to the overall goal of KPD. 

7.      Create your fundraising page:

a.       Chose a web address (for example:  www.firstgiving.com/allisonkaczenski

b.      Design your Page by doing the following: 

                                                                           i.      Choose a Page Title

                                                                         ii.      Add a photo and caption

                                                                        iii.      Set your fundraising target

                                                                       iv.      Add your personal message

8.      Preview your page and either make more changes or accept

9.      Email your supporters now!

It is suggested that you copy your web address into your own personal email and type your own message.  This method of sending from your own personal email address tends to be easier, as all of your contacts are already in your address book and it will come from a recognized email address – which will make your supporters feel more comfortable.

 The whole process takes approximately ten minutes to create a page.  Once you create your account, you can log in and make updates to your page as often as you like, you can also update your fundraising goals and offline donations.  (This is when you receive donations in person or through the mail and you would like to add that to your grand total).

 If you have trouble during your process, please contact Allison Kaczenski at 770-414-9390 x 115 or e-mail Allison.Kaczenski@SpecialOlympicsGA.org for support.  

 *Helpful hint:  Be sure to add your Firstgiving webpage address to your email auto signature, so that you are spreading the word daily!