Tom, a volunteer event organizer (VEO) and eight-time shavee℠, first brought St. Baldrick’s to his university campus in 2011. He let us in on his tips for a successful college fundraising event.
The first St. Baldrick’s event at Valparaiso University in 2011.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t find an event near me.
I decided to bring the idea to my soccer coach to start a St. Baldrick’s event at Valpo. He agreed, and for the past four years we have been putting on a head-shaving event.
The first year, we had about 20 people from the Valpo soccer team shave in a local barber shop and we raised about $6,000. On April 12 of this year, we hosted our fourth annual event, raising $40,000, and the donations continue to come in!
A 700% increase did not happen overnight. It took years of trial and error to figure out what works best for our event.
Everyone should dream big dreams, and creating the best event possible might be one of yours, so make the decision early how big you want your event to be. This will decide how much will go into all of the work and planning.
Tom shaving in 2011.
If you’re the person leading this event, you need to know what you’re talking about. Take time and read through the fantastic information on the St. Baldrick’s website about what they are doing with the money we raise and how children are affected by cancer. If you can speak knowledgeably about the topic you are trying to raise funds for, people will take you more seriously.
2. Ask for help
No one person can create a great event. You need a team. I have the Valpo men’s soccer team behind me, and when you instantly have 30 people helping you meet your goal, things are much easier.
If you are not a part of a sports team, ask your fraternity, sorority, or club. Ask for help from other organizations on campus you are not a part of, and explain why being a part of this will be a great experience for everyone.
This past year, more student organizations and departments at the university got involved than ever before. Reaching out to different organizations really helps create a campus-wide event that brings a buzz to campus.
Valparaiso University President Mark Heckler’s first shave for St. Baldrick’s in 2012.
If I never had asked Valparaiso University President Mark Heckler to shave his head in 2012, he would not have become the first university president to do so. He could have said no, but he didn’t, and he made St. Baldrick’s history!
When creating an event, don’t be afraid to hear “no.” Many times, those negative responses lead to new opportunities.
This is the same advice for visiting companies and organizations to ask for donations. At the end of the day, you may never see that person again. If it does work out, that is a great new contact to have.
4. Use social media
With any special events or promotions you are planning, let people know about them on social media. This is the way college students keep up on the latest news, so always make your event the latest news.
5. Live your dreams
My dream, like many children growing up, was to become a professional athlete. In the past few years, though, my big dream has become helping fight childhood cancer and doing as much as I can until a cure is found. This way, the children can live out their big dreams.
Ready to bring St. Baldrick’s to your campus? Join colleges across the nation in the ultimate college tournament — the Battle of the Bald.
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