Fund It Forward

Recommended timeframe: 2–4 Weeks Before Fundraising

Complete the Fund It Forward Participation Form

Please have your group point of contact fill out the Fund It Forward Participation Form. Once submitted, the group point of contact will receive information and resources. 

Set a Fundraising Goal 

Determine how much you plan to raise. Please note the minimum fundraising goal for causes and programs is $1,000. This is included in the Fund It Forward Participation Form. 

Set Your Campaign Duration

Choose a deadline and aim to complete your campaign. Make sure you have time to promote and engage with your supporters throughout the campaign. This is included in the Fund It Forward Participation Form. 

Submit Photo(s) for the Webpage

Please email your cause's image(s) to givingday@sonoma.edu right after the participation form is completed. Please note the minimum image size needed is 720 pixels by 480 pixels. Photos help tell your story and can inspire donors to give to your cause.

Identify Your Contacts

Create a list of who to contact with their first and last name, email, and phone number. Feel free to ask your team, members, or group to add ideas too! If your cause or program participated in Giving Day last year and you need access to your previous donor list, please email givingday@sonoma.edu to request a copy. 

Plan Your Marketing and Communications

Review our toolkit resources on this webpage and edit the content to tell your cause or program's story. In your messages, share between 50–250 words that answers:

• Why are you fundraising?
• What impact will the funds make?
• Who will benefit?
• Why should donors support your cause?

Once your fundraising webpage is live, it’s time to spread the word and rally support! Expand your outreach by engaging both current and potential supporters across multiple channels. 

Send Personalized Emails

• Describe your project and why it matters
• Include your fundraising webpage link and encourage donations
• Emphasize that every contribution, big or small, makes a difference
• Use the toolkit templates as a guide, but personalize your messages to make them more impactful

Leverage Social Media

Use social media to generate excitement, engage donors, and drive traffic to your fundraising webpage.

• Share your campaign across platforms (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, etc.)
• Ask friends & family to share your posts to expand your reach
• Post regular updates – celebrate milestones and create countdowns
• Use engaging content – photos, videos, and testimonials to make your cause stand out
• Make it fun! Try interactive elements like polls, Q&A sessions, or challenges

Text & Call for a Personal Touch

Direct outreach is one of the most effective ways to encourage donations. 

• Send personal text messages with a short pitch and your fundraising webpage
• Call key supporters to share your excitement and ask for their help in donating or spreading the word

Keep the Momentum Going!

Consistency is key—continue engaging with your audience throughout the campaign. Acknowledge your supporters, express gratitude, and celebrate your progress along the way!

Recommended timeframe: 1 week to 1 month after your campaign is completed

Thank Donors

• Send personalized thank you messages and share the impact by email, handwritten note, phone call, and/or text message. We recommend saying thank you in at least two different ways such as a handwritten thank you card and email or email and a phone call, etc.
• Social media post(s) to share thank you and the impact

Evaluate Campaign

• Analyze metrics of donations
• Gather feedback about your campaign from your team and identify strengths and areas for improvement

Celebrate Success

• Share the final totals and thank your team and donors​!