Fundraising with the Surfrider Foundation
Fundraising with the Surfrider Foundation
Interested in doing more to protect our ocean, waves, and beaches?
Maybe you’d like to fundraise to celebrate an event, memorialize a loved one, or simply raise awareness of Surfrider’s work.
Whatever your reason, we welcome your support and are here to help you as you fundraise for our coasts.
Steps to Creating Your Fundraiser
- Create a title: Once you click the link, you’ll be asked to create a title. This can be as simple as ‘Mary’s Fundraiser’ or ‘Jim’s Birthday Fundraiser.’ If you’re fundraising for a special occasion, like a birthday or holiday, you can add it to your title to let people know why you’re fundraising now.
- Add a picture: This is optional, but encouraged. A picture of yourself will reassure your friends and family that the link you’re sending is from you, and not spam!
- Set a goal: This can be any amount you want. It costs just $10 to protect a quarter mile of our coasts. So you might set a goal attached to impact. Or if you’re doing some offline effort to encourage support, your goal might match your own miles run, cycled, paddled — or even hours danced! Find your inspiration and share it with others to encourage their support.
- Write your message: Briefly tell your friends and family why this cause is important to you. Heartfelt is better than perfect, so don’t stress if you aren’t sure exactly what to say.
- Set a deadline: A deadline helps add urgency. You might pick an upcoming birthday, holiday, or just a date in the near future.
- Input your email: Once you’ve filled out all the fields, you’ll be asked to input your email, and we’ll send you a verification code. Enter that code on the form to receive a link to your custom fundraising page.
- Share your fundraiser: Now, you’re ready to get started! You can share the link with friends and family and start raising money. Post it on social media, share via email, or create a QR code that leads to your fundraising page. However you choose to promote it, whether in person or online, the more eyes on it, the better!
Promoting Your Fundraiser
Sample Email
Here’s a sample email you can use as a draft to edit and then share with your friends and family.
Hi [FirstName],
You know me and what I care about. I’m a friend of the ocean, and a supporter of the Surfrider Foundation. I’m concerned about the threats facing our ocean, waves, and beaches every day. The impacts of climate change, offshore drilling, sewage spills, and plastic pollution threaten to spoil this place that I love.
That’s why I’m doing something about it. For more than 40 years the Surfrider Foundation has worked to protect our treasured coastlines. I’m stepping up to join them by hosting a fundraiser. And I’m writing to you today to sincerely ask for your support.
[insert fundraiser link]
Together, we CAN make a difference for our friend, the ocean.
Thank you!
[Your Name]
Sample Social Post
Here’s just one idea about how you might share and promote your fundraiser on social media. Be creative and make your appeal personal.
I’m proud to be a friend of the ocean, and I’m raising money for the Surfrider Foundation to protect our ocean, waves, and beaches. My goal is to raise [amount] by [date]. Will you join me in supporting the ocean today?
If you are concerned about our ocean and the increasing threats it faces from climate change, offshore drilling, sewage spills, and plastic pollution, like you know that I am, then please support my fundraiser for the Surfrider Foundation to protect our coasts.