Fundraising Requirements

Swimmers are required to raise at least $100 in sponsorships (plus their $25 registration fee). Paddlers are encouraged to raise funds as well. If possible, all monies should be sent to the Keuka Comfort Care Home on or before July 23, 2011 (the week before the event). In order to participate in the Krossin' Keuka event, the minimum $100 in sponsorship money must be submitted by Friday night registration.

Fundraising Tips and Tricks

Remember that the Keuka Comfort Care Home doesn't charge residents or their families to spend their final days in its beautiful home surrounded by compassionate volunteers and staff. This is only possible because of supporters like you and your friends and neighbors who step up to support you in Krossin' Keuka. Please keep this in mind as you go about asking for pledges.

Go the extra mile (out of the water) with your donation requests!

Be creative! Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Wear a button which says "Ask me about Krossin' Keuka"
• Post a Krossin' Keuka poster in your workplace or at your service organization and attach a note asking your co-workers to sponsor you.
• Email or Snail-Mail – Send a letter with a link to the Keuka Comfort Care Home web site and the Krossin' Keuka event. (sample included as separate attachment)
• Ask your bridge club, book club, coffee group, etc. to sponsor you as a group.
• Hand out stamped envelopes addressed to the Keuka Comfort Care Home. Your supporter can enclose their check and mail!
• Make up cards with the Krossin' Keuka website and ask folks to sponsor you on-line

REMEMBER TO ASK!

REMEMBER: YOU'RE NOT ASKING FOR YOURSELF; YOU ARE ASKING FOR A VERY WORTHY CAUSE!

Matching Gifts — Some companies have matching gifts that double or even triple the initial donation — check with your Human Resources Department.

Collect the donation when you ask for it. It will be easier for you if you collect as much as possible at the time you request the donation.

Emphasize the tax–deductibility of donations. People are often interested in getting a tax deduction "in return" for their donation. Their cancelled check can serve as a receipt.

By using the mail or e–mail to raise money you can solicit contributions from a variety of resources such as:

• Business associates
• Family, friends, neighbors (greeting card lists)
• College alumni, sorority or fraternity members
• Everyone you have an e-mail address for!

Tracking Your Sponsorships

Your online sponsorships will appear on your personal sponsorship page automatically. If you receive sponsorships in the form of checks or cash, you should enter these items on your sponsorship page as well. This is an easy way to track your sponsorships while letting us know what you have collected as well.

If you need to track your sponsors on paper, you can download our Sponsorship Tracking Sheets below:

If you want to fill in your sponsorships through Microsoft Excel or similar program, Download the Sponsor Tracking Sheet as a .xls file.

If you want to print your sponsorship tracking sheet to use on paper, Download the Sponsor Tracking Sheet as a .pdf file.

Sample Fundraising Letter or Email

Copy and Paste as you see fit, or Download Sample Fundraising Letter (.doc)

Dear ___________,

On July 30th, I plan to participate in the Krossin' Keuka event along with other swimmers and paddlers to benefit the Keuka Comfort Care Home. We will come together to complete a .67 mile course across Keuka Lake in order to raise money to support our local home for the terminally ill here in Penn Yan. I hope you will join me in supporting the home.

By making a pledge on my behalf, you are supporting the Keuka Comfort Care Home's mission of providing a facility and staff to ensure compassionate care in a peaceful, home-like environment for our community's terminally ill residents and their families, at no cost to these residents or families.

My goal is to raise at least ($GOAL). Please help me reach that goal with your pledge. Your donation is tax deductible. You can support my swim by going to krossinkeuka.org , clicking on my name and making your donation online through the secure website. You can also make checks payable to the Keuka Comfort Care Home and mail them directly to Krossin' Keuka, c/o KCCH,  PO Box 107, Penn Yan, NY 14527. Please write my name on the memo line of your check.

If you would like to learn more about KCCH and this event, please visit www.keukacomfortcarehome.org Feel free to contact me with any questions. I deeply appreciate your support of this worthy cause and thank you for considering this request.

Sincerely,
(Your Name)