Sarah T.
If your company has one, make sure to use a gift-matching program, and ask your donors to use their company's programs if they have it. It's the easiest way to boost donations to iMentor. Plus, it spreads the word about iMentor to an even broader group (and possibly corporate sponsors).

Katie D.
Reach out on social media and at work. Companies often offer matching programs. If you explain that the giving can be as low as $5 you’d be surprised how many people contribute.

Jay C.
The power of Social Media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram) cannot be ignored. A short post with the link to your Crowdrise page is all that is needed to get the buzz going. Even if you don’t generate a donation, it may result in a new recruit. Also, the more you talk about iMentor during the year, the easier it is to raise money for it in the Spring. If you talk about your Mentee your friends and family will be connected to your experience and want to help out.

Joe M.
Be a pest..... =*) Seriously, never stop gushing about iMentor, and people will be happy to be a part of it

Ben T.
Take advantage of your social networks. Tag donors in Facebook posts to extend the reach of your message to their networks (e.g.; Thanks for donating to iMentor, John Smith - I hope others will follow your generous example). Take advantage of Crowdrise's communication tools - follow up with donors during the course of the month with a weekly email letting them know about your campaign's progress as well as any updates from your mentor/mentee relationship. This will help encourage repeat donations.
Finally, don't be shy. It's okay to ask for money for such a good cause. Be proud of being an iMentor fundraiser!

Lindsay K.
1). Tell a compelling story, 2). Reach out to people you would never expect would donate- chances are they will, 3). Use the power of social media by thanking your donors (this also has the double added value of peer-pressuring/reminding others to give!), 4). Host a small event to maximize your donations (ie I did "Spaghetti for your Pennies" where I asked my friends to donate $30 in exchange for wine and spaghetti at my apartment), 5). Talk about your work at iMentor all year and update your donors regularly, that way you aren't just asking them at "giving time" and they feel more invested in your cause.

Stuck in rut? Looking for a creative and fun way to get your friends and family excited about donating to your page? Check out some of the quick ideas listed below!

• Don’t shave until you’ve raised $500.
• Dye your hair blue when you hit your goal.
• Pledge to do 100 pushups for every $10 you raise.
• Pledge to not drink any coffee until you hit your goal.
• Don’t use your cell phone until you raise $250.
• Wear a wig to the event if you reach your goal.
• Wear something crazy on the event date if you reach your goal.

Remember: Be creative, have fun and thanks for supporting iMentor!