The minimum's for fundraising remain the same as last year but we are asking each runner to consider a goal of $1000 to do this there are three main points we want to stress this year are:

1.  Start early- studies show that those who start raising money 7-9 months before a marathon raise higher amounts.

2.  Ask for higher amounts.  Donations can be any amount starting at $10 but those who fundraise the most have an average donation of $100-125.  Sometimes you get what you ask for.  If people want to give less than your ask they will.

3.  Aim for 30 donors- if you want to reach a high goal this is the way to do it.

There are different strategies that work for different people here are a few ideas from past fundraisers:

Self Addressed Stamped Envelopes

Send out letters with a stamped, addressed envelope.  No excuses for your donors not to return their donations. People have a hard time throwing away the stamped envelope.  Make your letters peronsal or at least write a personal note on them.   

Facebook

Are you a regular user of Facebook?  Consider using facebook to post information about your trainning and why you are running, not just fundraising requests.  Perhaps ask your friends personally on facebook chat to sponsor you.

Email

Try to be as personal as you can- send personal emails if possible not just bulk email requests.  Think about how you would be likely to respond.

Ask in person

When you are with family, friends, co-workers, etc.  Tell people about what you are doing and ask for a commitment of a donation.  Its hard to say no in person.

Follow-up

Whether its an email, FaceBook message, phone call, text, sometimes people just need a little reminder. Sometimes it the simple update or the second request that gets the donation.

Here's a great article available from the chronicle of philanthropy avaible by click here about being an effective marathon fundraiser.