Fundraising Ideas & Tips
We are happy to assist you in your fundraising efforts. Please contact us for support, advice, or if you are interested in any Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome Foundation brochures, bracelets, t-shirts, banners, etc. to use at your fundraising event.
Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome Foundation Fundraisers
The Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome Foundation is deeply grateful for every donation and fundraising effort. These vital funds enable us to support critical research aimed at improving treatments and ultimately finding a cure for Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome. On behalf of all patients and families affected by SDS, thank you for helping to raise both funds and awareness—your support truly makes a difference.
Many Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome families wish to organize fundraising activities such as letter writing campaigns, tournaments, garage sales, barbecues, auctions, and dances. The options are endless when it comes to organizing a fundraiser.
In addition to ongoing fundraisers and fundraising events, donations may be made to Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome Foundation as memorial gifts, holiday wishes, or as a way to remember someone celebrating a special occasion (birthday, anniversary, marriage, etc.). Also, many employers have Matching Gift Programs that will match their employees’ donations. Please ask your employer for details. Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome Foundation is also registered with many United Way Donor Choice Programs.
Ongoing Fundraisings Activities
There are several easy, ongoing ways to support SDSF’s mission. When shopping online through ShopRaise, you can select SDSF and a percentage of your purchase will be donated to our foundation—at no additional cost to you. . You can also redeem Prairie Farms milk cap codes as a simple way to contribute. Please explore our full list of current fundraising opportunities to find a way that works best for you.
The following are SDSF ongoing fundraising activities:
Shopraise
We are partnering with the ShopRaise app, which gives a portion back to us whenever you do your normal shopping online at over 1,000 stores like Macy’s, Home Depot, and Walmart.
Please help us support and promote our program by doing these 3 simple things:
- Click the link below to get the ShopRaise app
- Use tools in the mobile app to share it with family and friends
- Shop online using the app to support and help us reach our fundraising goals
Click the link below to get started. With your help, we can make a difference in the lives of the community we serve!
Thrivent Choice Dollars
Are you a member of Thrivent Financial who’s eligible to direct Choice Dollars®?
Choice Dollars charitable grant funds can make a world of difference to Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome Foundation as we work together to support and educate families about SDS. By directing Choice Dollars, eligible Thrivent members recommend where they feel Thrivent should distribute a portion of its charitable grant funds.
Directing Choice Dollars is easy. Simply go click the link below to learn more and find program terms and conditions. Or call 800-847-4836 and say “Thrivent Choice” after the prompt.
If you have any questions send an email to info@shwachman-diamond.org and we will contact you.
Prairie Farms Milk Caps
Do you and your friends and family drink Prairie Farms milk? Their program called, “Our Caps, Your Cause” can help raise money for the Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome Foundation! For each code redeemed, Prairie Farms will donate $0.05 to SDSF!
Ask your friends, family, coworkers, and anyone you know to COLLECT CAPS!! Or, you can ask friends and family to take a picture of the code and email/text it to you!! All you have to do is redeem milk cap codes on the following site and choose our organization from the drop-down list.
Matching Grant Program
Does your employer have a matching grant program? Ask them to include SDSF in their Giving Program. You can also inquire if they will match your donation. SDSF is in the Morgan Stanley Employee Giving Program database.
Cell Phone Recycling
How many old cell phones are lying around your house and your family, co-workers and friends’ houses? We have a way that you can help the ecosystem and help Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome Foundation at the same time. And we can all do it. It’s an easy way that everyone can help raise money to support research and all of the other work Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome Foundation does…..recycle cell phones. SDSF has been registered with www.recyclingfundraiser.com. Start a recycling campaign by contacting family, co-workers, and friends. When you have collected the cell phones go to this company’s website. They will give you instructions on how to download and print a FREE shipping label.
To make sure Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome Foundation gets a check for your shipment, please put the SDSF return address on the shipping label.
Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome Foundation Inc.
P.O. Box 124
Van Wyck, SC 29744
This is easy–has no cost to you–and most importantly will help SDSF continue its work to help our kids.
Please contact info@shwachman-diamond.org with any questions.
Letter Writing Campaign
Below is a sample letter that you may personalize with your own details. Editing this document may be easier than starting from scratch. We encourage keeping the tone positive and informative, and limiting the letter to one page.
SDSF Ideas for a Fundraiser Letter
Fundraising Ideas & Tips
People love helping their friends, families, and co-workers. You will be amazed at how much money can be raised by simply asking! You can help Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome Foundation and its community of patients and families live better lives and hopefully, the funds can one day help find a cure.
Fundraising on Facebook
It is SUPER EASY to fundraise on Facebook! Click on the picture or link to learn step-by-step instructions on how YOU can fundraise for the Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome Foundation to FIND A CURE!
Casual for a Cure
This is a simple fundraising idea for your place of employment, local businesses or even your child’s school. Most people have heard of or participated in something like this before. Participants would get to dress down in exchange for a donation. 100% of donations go to the Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome Foundation to support research and help find a CURE!
Other Fundraising Ideas
5K Run/Walk
Plan a 5K Run/Walk race or a fun run in your area. You can have t-shirts for participants and medals for winners in certain age groups.
Bounce House Fundraiser
Ask a bounce house business or rent your own bounce house and plan a kid-friendly event. You could also have a silent auction or attendance prizes donated by businesses.
Car Wash
Plan a car wash at a local business that will provide the location and water hookup. Ask friends and family to help wash cars and don’t forget to make flyers and signs to advertise.
T-shirts
Design a custom t-shirt for the patient and proceeds of the shirt sales are donated to Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome Foundation.
Birthday Party
Instead of gifts for your child, you can ask guests to make a contribution to Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome Foundation in lieu of gifts.
Carnival
One family was given the use of a park, got donations of carnival games, prizes, food, etc. and had a carnival.
Raffle/Silent Auction
Ask local businesses to donate items, packages, or gift cards to your event. Plan a dinner, make tickets, and do a raffle to raise more money.
Tournament (Golf, Softball, Bowling, Chess, etc.)
Gather friends and family and make some teams to compete in a tournament. You can have t-shirts made and trophies for the winning team.
Garage sale/Bake Sale
Plan a garage sale and/or bake sale. Ask friends and family to go through their closets for unwanted stuff that they can donate to your garage sale.
“Direct Sales Company” Fundraiser
Find an independent consultant for a company such as Thirty-One Gifts, Scentsy, Mary Kay, Tupperware, Avon, Premier Jewelry, Pampered Chef, etc. Ask the consultant to donate proceeds to Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome Foundation.
Dance Party
One family was able to secure a band, get a location donated for their use. They sent out invitations to all their friends telling them that the dance will be a fundraiser for Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome Foundation.
Jeans /Free Dress Day
Ask your boss/principal to sponsor a dress-down day at work or school. Each employee or student who participates can pay a fee to be used as a donation.
Fundraising Tips / Tools
Fundraiser Guidelines
Before planning any type of fundraiser for the Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome Foundation, please review our SDSF Fundraiser Guidelines.
Six Week Event Planner Guide
6 weeks out: Determine what event you think will work best for you and Ask for Help! Ask your family, friends and colleagues to volunteer to help. You’ll want 2-3 people minimum as your organizing committee. Do you want to host a Dance? Party with raffle prizes? Golf or Tennis or Chess Tournament?
5 weeks out: Get Organized! Set a location, date & time. Determine a fundraising goal, set up a Facebook page or event and invitation, make flyers or invitations. Ask local businesses to sponsor/donate to your event. If you can’t get dollars, get in-kind donations such as food, prizes, hall rental. Order SDS rubber bracelets or create and order t-shirts from your local supplier.
4 weeks out: Spread the Word! Email/mail/share your invitation or flyer. Ask friends and family to volunteer to help at the event. Reach out to civic & religious organizations you are involved with. Contact news media.
3 weeks out: Check Final Details! Print signs and other materials for event location. Gather donations of refreshments. Stay in touch with your volunteers.
2 weeks out: The Home Stretch! Send reminders to registrants and volunteers. Double check supplies and materials.
1 week out: Countdown to Success! Check weather reports. Verify contingency plans. Confirm volunteer assignments.
Spreading the Word/Publicity
Create your own online fundraising page with pictures and information about your fundraiser. Send your fundraiser page to family, friends, and colleagues – anyone you think will help you reach your goal.
To get the word out about your event and to help with registration, create a facebook page or event. Have friends/family share the event on their facebook page.
Contact your local paper to alert them of the event. This way, you gain more donors and awareness of Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome. Contact the editors of the newspapers or contact a radio/TV station. Make sure they print the full name of the disease and give them a brochure or the web site address for them to get their information from. Also, make sure they print the web site name: shwachman-diamond.org.
Other Tips/Information
Consider printing a program for your event that acknowledges all donors and pass it out at the event
Make sure that you send thank-you letters to all donors for their contributions, whether financial or in-kind items. Please send a list to the Board of any donor who has given over $250.00 so that they may receive a legal tax deduction letter. You may notify the Board if you want those names to appear in the newsletter on the donor page or if you would like to keep those names privately held. If you ask for privacy, the Board will certainly honor your request. SDSF will send all donors thank you letters.
Federal tax disclosure requirements: All charities are required by federal law to let their participants know what part of their entry fee/ticket price is tax deductible and must be printed on the invitation. For example, if you serve dinner with your event valued at $25.00, and you charge $75.00 to come to the event, then the deduction is anything over $50.00. Your disclosure would read: Tax deductible in excess over $50.00.
Do you need Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome Foundation brochures, bracelets, t-shirts, banners, etc. to use at the event? Contact us by email for fundraising resouces.