STEP-BY-STEP BIRD-A-THON
Suggestions for a successful fundraiser
COUNTER PACKET CONTENTS
(6) Pledge Cards
(1) Sample Fundraising Ask Letter (Dear Friend)
(1) Point Blue Project Highlights
(1)Corporate Sponsorship Form
(1) Donation Submission Form
(1)Donation Tracking Form
(1) Counter Summary Form
ADDITIONAL COUNTER FORMS
All Bird-A-Thon counter forms are available for download at Forms in Excel and Word can be saved as templates and completed on your personal computer. Forms in PDF format can be printed and signed or completed by hand. Additional printed pledge cards and printed forms can be mailed to you at your request, and counters may copy any forms as needed.
ONLINE FUNDRAISING THROUGH FRIENDS ASKING FRIENDS (OUR FUNDRAISING WEB PAGE HOST)
Teams and individuals may raise Bird-A-Thon funds using this online tool. Online fundraising can be done instead of or in addition to collecting donations by mail, email and phone. For more information, please contact .
STEP 1: FIND SUPPORTERS
Send a Pledge Card to all friends, family, co-workers, neighbors and local business owners. Be sure that your name is included in the blank space provided on the pledge card. This will enable Point Blue staff to identify your pledges or donations when they come into the Point Blue office directly from donors.
Share with your potential donorsthe Point Blue Project Highlights, detailing vital programs supported by Bird-A-Thon.
A Sample Fundraising Ask Letter is also enclosed for you to adapt as you wish and send with your pledge cards to potential donors.
Record your donations and pledges on the Donation Tracking Form to help you track donations.
Note:first time Bird-A-Thon contributors donating $50 or more receive a one-year Point Blue membership unless they otherwise specify.
STEP 2: GO BIRDING
You may bird in any location for up to 24 consecutive hours during the period of September 1 through October 15, 2013. Find as many species of birds as you can positively identify, either by sight or sound, and remember to record your total count on your Counter Summary Form.
STEP 3: SEND YOUR REPORT TO ALL CONTACTS
Provide yourcontacts with a list of the birds you identified and some highlights from your day of birding. Thank them for their support, remind them of their pledge, and/or ask for final donations. Many of your contacts will donate once they receive the report and hear about your BIG DAY! This will also be a reminder to your contacts that have not replied to your original fundraising ask letter. If you would like to see an example of a report, please contact .
STEP 4: RETURN DONATIONS & COMPLETED FORMS TO POINT BLUE
Use the Donation Submission Form every time you send collected donations to Point Blue. Please do not hold onto donations for more than 2 weeks.
Once your Bird-A-Thon is complete and all monies collected, mail the following to POINT BLUE:
1.)Donation Tracking Form;
2.)Counter Summary Form;
3.)Donation Submission Form (if turning in additional donations);
4.)Checks and Pledge Cards;
5.)A copy of your Bird-A-Thon report and species list that you sent to your contacts.
STEP 5:MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
Attend the 2013 Rich Stallcup Bird-A-Thon Awards Celebration Saturday, January 25, 2014 at Point Blue’s Petaluma Headquarters!
3820 Cypress Drive Suite 11 | Petaluma, CA 94954 | 707.781.2555 | pointblue.org