Self-Donations Are Critical to Your Fundraising Success

Making a self-donation on your Extra Life fundraising page can have several advantages, both for the you and for the overall success of your Extra Life fundraising campaign. Here are some of the main reasons why one of your first steps after registration should be to make your first donation:

Lead by example

By making the first donation to your own fundraising page, you demonstrate your commitment to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and show others that you genuinely believe in Extra Life. This can inspire and motivate your friends, family, and other potential donors to follow your lead and contribute to your campaign.

Build credibility and trust

When potential donors see that you have already donated to your own page, it adds credibility to your fundraising efforts. It shows that you are personally invested in the cause, and others may be more likely to trust and support your campaign as a result.

Kickstart fundraising momentum

Starting your campaign with a self-donation can create initial momentum. People are often more inclined to donate to a cause that has already received some contributions, rather than being the first ones to donate.

Matching Gifts

If your employer offers matching gifts, you can submit the total sum of your donations each year so that your employer can double your impact. Check with your Human Resources department to find out if there is a matching gift program at your workplace, and to learn how to collect those funds.

Set a benchmark

Your self-donation sets a benchmark for other donors. It establishes a suggested donation amount that others may choose to match or exceed, which can lead to larger overall donations.

Encourage larger donations

When potential donors see that you have donated a significant amount to your own campaign, they may feel more inclined to give larger donations as well.

Personal fulfillment

Making a self-donation can provide a sense of personal fulfillment and satisfaction, knowing that you are contributing directly to a cause you care about.

Tax benefits

Self-donations to registered nonprofit organizations are tax-deductible in the U.S. and Canada.

Overall, making a self-donation on your Extra Life page can help jumpstart your campaign, motivate others to donate, and increase the overall success of your fundraising efforts. It shows your dedication to the cause and encourages others to support it too.