Fundraising

To all of the members of Team Apollo, thank you for Running with a Purpose.

By running with Harlem United’s Team Apollo you’re not only making a commitment to yourself to run a marathon, but you’re also dedicating your time and energy to helping others. The funds that you raise will go towards our client programs and help us serve the Harlem community. The pledged minimum for guaranteed entry is $2,500 for the marathon and $1,000 for the Half-Marathon. Runners with bib numbers (but wish to raise funds on behalf of a charity) the minimum is $1,000 and $500 respectively.

These Fundraising Tools have been designed to help you achieve your goal while you help others achieve theirs.  Included are fundraising ideas, a proposed fundraising plan, sample letters, and access to a personalized fundraising page.

For more information please contact us here.

For those interested in supporting Team Apollo

Even if you’re not running, but would like to support Team Apollo you can by:

  • Making a donation
  • E-mailing all of your contacts requesting their support of one of the runners (see sample e-mail below)
  • Assisting our runners with their individual fundraising efforts

If you’d like to make a donation please go to Supporting Team Apollo to make a donation on-line or please send a check payable to “Harlem United – Team Apollo” to:

Kitty Chan
Harlem United
306 Lenox Avenue
New York, New York 10027

 

Fundraising Ideas

Who do you know? And who do they know?

  • Create a list of contacts to help you. Whether they can donate or help you spread the word of your fundraising,
    In any situation, you can always turn to your family. Ask them to make a small contribution or make a list of contacts that you can reach out to with their assistance.
  • Make a list of people you see regularly (daily, weekly, monthly, etc.). A few ideas include: coffee shops, gyms, dry cleaners, favorite lunch spots, social clubs, etc. Even if they can’t donate, maybe they can help you with one of your fundraising events down the road.
  • Ask your company about matching gifts. If you’re not sure if your company matches, check with your Human Resources Department.

 

How about a little get together?

  • There are many inexpensive events that you can host: wine party, dinner party (even an informal pizza get together), bike run, barbeque, trail walk,
  • Talk to some of the places that you regularly visit. Maybe your favorite restaurant or bar would be willing to give you a discount for a party or will make a donation based per person or per drink sold.
  • Take the expression “out with the old and in with the new” to a new level. What about having a garage sale to benefit your fundraising?
  • Do you and your co-workers meet over coffee? What about bringing in cake and pastries for a month and asking your colleagues to chip in with a small donation?
  • Have a birthday party for yourself and ask the guests to donate towards your goal instead of bringing a gift.

 

Sometimes the smallest things make the biggest difference.

  • Buy a large bag of candy and sell it at work or school for $2 contributions.
  • Everyday take the change from your pocket and put it in your “NYC Marathon” fund. Ask your family to do the same thing. Every penny goes a long way!
  • Give up something until the marathon. Whether its coffee, chocolate or alcohol, give it up and add the money you would have spent towards your fundraising goal.
  • Have a hobby? If your hobby is a craft, your knitted socks just might be a high demand item. What about your talents? You can take pictures of New York and sell them.
  • Sponsor yourself! Commit to a small amount of money each time you meet your training goal.

 

Sample Fundraising Letter

Dear Friends and Family (Please Personalize Whenever Possible),

I’m proud to tell you that I will be running the Half Marathon 2010 as part of Harlem United’s Team Apollo.  It’s a fantastic opportunity for me not only to complete one of the greatest races in the world, but to help make a difference in the lives of thousands of New Yorkers.  I need your help to achieve my goals – not only your support in my running but also in my fundraising on behalf of Team Apollo.

Located in the heart of Harlem and minutes away from its most iconic landmark the Apollo Theater, Harlem United has formed “Team Apollo” to raise funds to support their work as a leading AIDS Service Organization in New York City, providing access to quality healthcare, HIV prevention, housing and care services to Harlem’s diverse community.

(Please personalize why you want to run and/or why you want to run for Harlem United).
SAMPLE – As you know I’ve been running on and off for 10 years, but I really wanted to challenge myself by running a marathon!  The chance to support this worthy organization really means that I’m running with a purpose……

Or

Sample – After volunteering at the youth center and seeing the need for HIV prevention education firsthand it was really important to me to make my miles count.  I think Harlem United offers comprehensive testing and education services and I think it’s serving the needs of their community.  The money that I raise will go to support their client programs and prevention initiatives…….

(Request the donation and give them the means to donate.)
I hope you’ll support me and make a donation.  Any amount will be greatly appreciated.  It will not only spur me on, but it will also go towards a worthy cause.  Come visit my personal fundraising page at

www.harlemunited.org/teamapollo/fundraising/  (Individual Fundraising Pages will be created)

Thank you for your support,

 

PS – I hope you’ll help me in my quest by spreading the word to others who might be interested in supporting Harlem United and the work that they do.

Sample eMail Notifying Friends

(For Runners)

Dear Friends (or personalize for individual e-mails):

I am pleased to announce that Harlem United is a Charity Partner with the New York Roadrunners for the Half Marathon 2010. 

Harlem United has gathered staff members, friends and dedicated members of the community to form “Team Apollo” to participate in the marathon and raise money for the organization.

I am excited to be running one of the greatest races in the world, but even more proud that I will be able to make a difference in the lives of the population served by Harlem United.  I’ve committed to raising $2,500 and am asking for your support. 

The funds raised will support Harlem United’s work as a leading AIDS Service Organization in New York City, providing access to quality healthcare, HIV prevention, and housing and care services to Harlem’s diverse community.

I hope you will be able to support me as well as the mission of Harlem United.  If you’d like to make a donation in my name, please visit (address for personal fundraising page).

Thank you for your generosity,

PS – For more information about Harlem United please visit www.harlemunited.org or for its Team Apollo please visit www.harlemunited.org/teamapollo

 

(For Supporters of Team Apollo who are not running)

Dear Friends (or personalize for individual e-mails):

I am pleased to announce that Harlem United is a Charity Partner with the New York Roadrunners for the Half Marathon 2010. 

Harlem United has gathered staff members, friends and dedicated members of the community to form “Team Apollo” to participate in the marathon and raise money for the organization.

The funds raised will support Harlem United’s work as a leading AIDS Service Organization in New York City, providing access to quality healthcare, HIV prevention, and housing and care services to Harlem’s diverse community.

Though I’m not running I am taking this journey with the team through my support.  I am asking you to make a donation to these committed runners and also to help spread the word.

If you’d like to make a donation, please visit www.harlemunited.org/teamapollo.  You can also help by sending out an e-mail similar to this one to your friends and colleagues and ask them to support Team Apollo and Harlem United’s client programs.

Thank you for your generosity,
(Name)

  • Events


  • Nov. 7, 2010