Need help with reaching your target for Altitude Shift? We caught up with one of our top fundraisers, Tilly, to hear all about her helpful tips and tricks….
15th March 2019
- Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Sure! My name is Tilly and I am a keen gallavanter and shenanigan instigator. I’m primarily based in Melbourne and spend the majority of my time on the road for work, play and adventuring. I am stoked to be able to combine my lifestyle and passions into my job of running events and further developments for one of the best mountain bike parks in Australia, Green valley’s Mountain Bike Park. The outdoors is my playground and an amazing arena for meeting new people and spending time with your crew. I over indulge in Audio books and will talk the leg off a chair about the latest or greatest book to have come through my speakers.
- What made you sign up for Altitude Shift?
I was sitting at the airport about to fly over seas and had been considering what my next mini-project would be in life to sink my teeth into. And like a sign from the Facebook gods, the Altitude Shift post came up on my feed. I signed up straight away then and there just as I was boarding. I figured the fine print and conditions could be read and considered later.
There’s something deeply satisfying in being able to support a cause that you strongly believe in – the kids in the system are very much an unknown entity to the wider public. The creative platform Anglicare Victoria has chosen to bring this incentive to fundraising, resonated deeply with my adventurous and boundary pushing side. Being able to apply your own skill set and initiative to reach, exceed and grow for the sake of bringing much needed funds to such a great cause… (oh and you get to indulge your inner-Spiderman down the side of a sky scraper at the end), how could you NOT sign up!
- What does helping organisations such as Anglicare Victoria mean to you?
Anglicare Victoria does more than one person ever could on their own. Being able to contribute in a way that supports them in their work, by bringing in funds that are always needed for more resources to reach more people, is super rewarding. I love being able to use my strengths in fundraising and networking to help not only bring in the financial support but also the awareness raised for what they do. I hope it inspires more people to contribute to a cause in their own way, whether it be by donating, fundraising or volunteering their skill set & time.
- You are currently one of our highest fundraisers. What’s your secret to effective fundraising?
First and foremost; you need to believe in the cause you are fundraising for.
Don’t be boring and generic in your approach. Be personal. When people sponsor or donate to your cause, they are doing it because of YOU. When sending out messages to people with your link – send them with a greeting that includes their name in it. Not just a bog standard copy and paste. Give them a laugh or incentive to donate – if you have an emotional response like a giggle or excitement to win something – they are more likely to follow through with a donation.
Ask businesses or places who will benefit from being recognised in their donation support. There are countless and fun ways to fundraise, I found sponsorship is a great one. Tell people what your financial goal is – this give people a reference point on what you are trying to achieve (it also makes a $50 donation seem a lot more reasonable than a $5000). Then, give them options of different rates they can consider donating. Approach pubs or sporting facilities you have rapport with, where you can hold raffles for items you have had donate by local businesses from. Nearly anyone can rustle up $900-$1000 within a week (or even 48 hours!) just using the power of social media, some creative wording and a $20 per ticket, 100 board. Learn more about this here.
- How are you feeling about the actual abseil on event day?
I am definitely looking forward to the experience – it’s going to be a lot safer than some of the downhill tracks or horses I have ridden so I figure it will be more fun than scary!
