Raising Funds For A Child's Hospital Stay

Raising funds for a children's hospital is a noble cause that can be approached in many ways. From planning your own event to participating in existing initiatives, there are numerous avenues to explore. For instance, you can host a fundraiser by completing a community fundraising events application and planning the event with the support of the hospital's special events team. Alternatively, you can join existing events like fun runs, marathons, or virtual toy drives. Adding an element of fun and competition can help engage others in your fundraising efforts. It's important to note that fundraising typically involves adhering to certain guidelines, such as obtaining permits and ensuring compliance with laws governing charitable fundraising. With enthusiasm and creativity, you can make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and their families.

Fundraising platforms: GoFundMe, YouCaring, MedGift, Click for Kids

GoFundMe is a popular platform for fundraising for medical expenses. It is a trusted place to raise money for medical bills, treatment, or care, where you can share your story and connect with potential donors. When creating a fundraiser, it is recommended to include details and estimated costs to help donors understand your needs better. For example, if you are raising funds for a $5,000 surgery, you can share this information to provide context for your fundraiser. GoFundMe also suggests starting with a small group of close friends or family members who can make initial donations and encourage others to contribute.

MedGift is another platform that allows individuals to raise funds for charitable or not-for-profit organisations. It functions similarly to a gift registry, where users can create a support page to list their physical and emotional needs. MedGift aims to bridge the gap between those who want to help and those who need assistance during health-related hardships. The platform features a Care Calendar, which helps coordinate tasks like transportation, pet sitting, and visiting hours, as well as a Support Wall where updates, pictures, and videos can be shared.

YouCaring is a fundraising platform that focuses on various causes, including medical expenses. It provides individuals and organisations with tools to create fundraising campaigns and connect with donors.

Click for Kids is yet another fundraising platform that specifically caters to children's causes, which may include medical needs. Each platform has its own features, and it is essential to choose the one that best suits your needs and preferences. These platforms can provide a valuable avenue to raise funds and receive support during challenging times.

Fundraising events: Dinner parties, sporting events, yard sales, school events

Dinner parties, sporting events, yard sales, and school events are all great ways to raise funds for a children's hospital. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Dinner Parties

• Host a dinner party with a theme, such as a cook-off with a specific theme like pasta, brisket, chili, or pastries. Participants pay an entry fee, and the winner takes home a prize.
• Organize a block party or BBQ, providing food, drinks, or snacks in exchange for donations.
• Host a bake sale to bring friends, family, or colleagues together over delicious treats.

Sporting Events

• Plan a 5K walk or a 10K bike ride in your neighborhood. You can also organize a drumming event, car-riding event, or horseback riding event.
• Collaborate with local sports teams or leagues to organize a fundraising tournament or game.
• Host a car wash, charging fees for additional services like vacuuming, tire cleaning, and window washing.

Yard Sales

• Sell goods such as T-shirts, stickers, or other items with your charity's logo or name to raise funds and create awareness.
• Organize a plant sale, offering gardening services or selling plants and flowers.

School Events

• Students, parents, or teachers can organize fundraising events to contribute to a charitable cause or the school's programs.
• Coordinate a neighborhood or town cleanup, with participants raising funds for your cause.
• Organize a read-a-thon, where students pledge to read a certain number of books or pages and collect pledges from family and friends.
• Host a talent show or art exhibition, with students paying an entry fee to perform or display their artwork.

Remember to consider the number of people involved, the resources available, and your budget when planning your fundraising events. You can also partner with organizations or companies to gain wider support for your cause.

Fundraising story: Details of medical challenges, background, pictures, videos

When your child is seriously ill, crowdfunding can be a lifeline for parents facing the overwhelming challenge of medical expenses. Keely and Beau, for example, turned to medical crowdfunding to pay for their daughter Lula's treatment for neuroblastoma, a type of cancer. In Lula's first year of treatment, their campaign on MedGift raised $28,000. To date, the campaign has raised over $38,000.

When creating a medical fundraiser, it is important to share your story and provide details about the medical challenges you or your loved one are facing, as well as what you need help with. For example, you could share that you need help covering the cost of surgery, which costs $5,000, or transportation to and from treatment. Detailing your need will help potential donors understand your situation and resonate more with them. It is also recommended to include estimated costs or what you are raising money for. Before sharing your fundraiser with your social media networks, consider asking a few close friends or family members to help you get started by making a donation and adding words of encouragement.

There are various platforms that can be used for medical crowdfunding, such as GoFundMe, which provides a compassionate platform for those seeking to fundraise for surgeries, treatments for chronic conditions, medications, rehabilitation, or supporting families during times of medical crisis. Other examples include MedGift and YouCaring, a site that calls itself the leader in online fundraising.

In addition to online crowdfunding, there are other ways to fundraise for medical expenses. For example, you could host a dinner party for friends, asking each couple to bring a check for the amount it would have cost them to go out for dinner. You could also incorporate fundraising activities into your group gatherings, such as selling knitted items or scrapbooks. Community yard sales and school fundraisers are other ways to involve your community and raise funds.

Fundraising goals: Amount needed, what it will be used for, fundraising duration

When planning a fundraiser, it is important to set clear goals and communicate them to potential donors. Here are some tips for setting fundraising goals, including the amount needed, how the funds will be used, and the duration of the fundraising campaign:

• Amount needed: Determine the amount of money you want to raise. Be specific and provide a clear monetary goal. For example, you could aim to raise $10,000. This gives donors a concrete target to work towards.
• What it will be used for: Communicate to donors how their contributions will be allocated and the impact their donations will have. For instance, funds could go towards purchasing new medical equipment, supporting groundbreaking research, enhancing facilities, or covering the cost of medical bills for families in need. Be transparent about where the money is going, as this helps build trust with donors.
• Fundraising duration: Decide on a realistic timeframe for your fundraising campaign. Will it be a short-term, intensive campaign, or a longer-term effort? Consider the urgency of the need and the amount you are trying to raise. For example, you could set a duration of three months, with a clear start and end date, and communicate this timeline to potential donors.

• Specific goals: Provide detailed information on what you hope to achieve with the funds. For example, instead of just saying "medical equipment," specify that the funds will be used to purchase a portable ultrasound machine for the emergency department.
• Breakdown of costs: If possible, provide a breakdown of the costs associated with your goals. For instance, if you are raising money for medical research, you could estimate the costs of lab equipment, staffing, and other resources required.
• Regular updates: Keep donors engaged by providing regular updates on the progress of your fundraising campaign. Share success stories and testimonials to show the impact of their donations.

Remember, transparency and clarity in your fundraising goals will inspire confidence in potential donors and increase the likelihood of achieving your targets.

Fundraising promotion: Social media, personal networks, local media

Fundraising for a child's hospital stay can be challenging, but with the right tools and strategies, you can effectively promote your cause and garner support from your community. Here are some ideas to get you started on your fundraising journey, focusing on social media, personal networks, and local media:

Social Media

• Choose a suitable online fundraising platform: Select a platform that suits your needs and creates a fundraising page. This allows you to share your story, set a monetary goal, and accept donations easily. You can use platforms specifically designed for fundraising, such as GoFundMe or JustGiving, or even create a Facebook fundraiser.
• Utilize your social media presence: Leverage your personal social media accounts to spread the word. Share your fundraising page on your profiles and encourage your followers to donate. You can also create a dedicated hashtag for your cause and use it across various social media platforms to increase visibility and make it easier for people to find and share your story.
• Engage your audience: Regularly post updates, share personal stories, and express gratitude for donations received. Create engaging content, such as videos or live streams, to connect with your audience and keep them invested in your journey.
• Collaborate with influencers: Reach out to social media influencers or local celebrities who might be willing to share your story with their larger follower base. This can help amplify your message and attract a wider audience.

Personal Networks

• Reach out to friends and family: Inform your close contacts about your fundraising goal and ask them to spread the word within their circles. Word-of-mouth promotion can be highly effective in engaging the community.
• Host dinner parties or social events: Organize get-togethers with friends, family, and neighbours, where you can explain your cause and ask for donations. You can also suggest that they donate the amount it would typically cost to go out for dinner.
• Engage local communities: Collaborate with existing groups, such as book clubs, knitting circles, or sports teams, to incorporate fundraising activities into their regular meetings. For example, they could sell handmade items or organize a sponsored event, with proceeds going towards the child's hospital stay.

Local Media

• Contact local news outlets: Reach out to local newspapers, radio stations, or television channels and pitch your story. They might be interested in covering your fundraising efforts, especially if it ties into a broader narrative about community support or healthcare initiatives.
• Comply with regulations: Ensure that you understand the laws and regulations surrounding charitable fundraising in your area. This includes any requirements for gift reporting, donor receipts, and tax implications.
• Obtain endorsements: Seek endorsements or partnerships with reputable local organizations or charities. This can add credibility to your fundraising efforts and may attract more attention from local media outlets.

Remember, when utilizing these promotional avenues, it is essential to respect the privacy and confidentiality of the child and the hospital. Always obtain the necessary approvals and follow any guidelines provided by the hospital or healthcare institution before embarking on your promotional activities.

Frequently asked questions