“Where we started off just to bring together some friends and raise some money, we ended up building a support system.”- Fundraiser Attendee
TAKE YOUR SUPPORT TO THE NEXT LEVEL AND HOST A FUNDRAISER FOR HEADSUPGUYS
We are deeply grateful for the amazing support from our HeadsUpGuys community. It is inspiring to witness people harnessing their interests and passions in innovative ways to bolster our efforts in improving men’s mental health and preventing suicide.
Mental health issues, like anxiety, depression, and suicide in men, can be difficult to talk about, but this is why raising awareness of these issues is so important.
Are you looking to host an event in memory of someone who died by suicide?
Here are seven steps to hold a successful and impactful fundraiser you can be proud of!
We welcome a variety of fundraising ideas that align with our mission and values. Many of the following ideas are flexible enough to be carried out in person, virtually, or a combination of both.
Organize a walk, run, bike ride, trivia night, motorcycle ride, or any activity you enjoy.
Try a multiday, weekly, or monthly fitness or stair challenge, promoting via social media to drum up donations as you go.
Turn hobbies like cooking, gaming, or motorcycling into fundraising marathons.
Host auctions where local artists contribute pieces with proceeds supporting our cause.
Organize one or two-day tournaments, featuring sports like softball, golf, or hockey. Teams donate to enter.
Engage your workplace in themed campaigns, like for Men’s Mental Health Week in June. Inspire colleagues to raise funds and awareness. Check for donation-matching from your employer.
Host engaging virtual events or panel discussions on men’s mental health. Connect participants from all over to foster meaningful conversations.
Host gala dinners or virtual events with guest speakers, live entertainment, prize draws, and auctions.
Feel free to mix and match the suggestions above, or explore your own creative fundraising concepts. At the bottom of this page are additional ideas from past successful fundraisers for inspiration.
Expanding your team by involving other friends and family members in organizing the event can greatly enhance its impact. It also allows you to tap into a wider audience through their networks.
Bonus Tip: Coincide with Meaningful Days
Highlight the theme of men’s mental health by organizing fundraising events on specific dates such as:
Once you’ve decided on what fundraising idea works best for you, it’s time to set your goals and plan how to collect funds.
Think about and set a realistic total donations goal:
Decide how you will collect funds. Options include:
Directing donors to make donation via credit card through our online donation page.
Using a Crowd-fundraising Platform
Utilize crowdfunding platforms like GoFundMe, Kickstarter, or Indiegogo to create personalized fundraising campaigns that you can easily share with friends, family, and social networks.
Please note that HeadsUpGuys is not listed by some crowdfunding sites such as Facebook Fundraisers.
Cash donations can also be collected and usually added to your total within crowdfunding sites under an option for “offline donations”.
For Supporters of a Fundraiser Who Want a Tax Receipts
For those seeking tax receipts, the most efficient way to receive them is to make a donation directly via credit card through our UBC HeadsUpGuys donation page.
Canadian residents can also donate via phone through the UBC Development Office at 604-827-4111 or 1-877-717-4483, specifying their donation is for the “UBC HeadsUpGuys Program G1745”.
Some crowdfunding sites allow for “offline” donations to be added to your total. This allows you to manually include donations from individuals needing tax receipts.
Take the time to carefully plan the details and logistics of your event, including venue selection, scheduling, and any necessary resources. Develop a budget to ensure you stay on track financially.
Engage with your community and encourage participation to boost the impact of your fundraiser.
When possible, involving more people leads to a better event outcome in terms of impact, connections, awareness and fundraising.
Let Us Know About Your Fundraiser
Utilize word-of-mouth, email, social media, personal outreach, or engage with news outlets to promote your event, share your reasons for supporting us, and raise awareness about men’s mental health.
Mobilize volunteers, seek sponsorships or discounts for required resources, or gather raffle prizes to increase community involvement.
During the event, remember to gather pledges, secure sponsorships, and collect entry fees as needed.
Amidst all your organizing, don’t forget to pause and savor the event you have worked hard to create.
Transfer the collected donations to HeadsUpGuys via either cheque or online donation. Share the total amount raised with your supporters and ensure transparency by including a photo or screenshot of the cheque/donation.
To Make a Matching Donation Online
If your funds were raised in cash, you can make a matching donation by visiting the HeadsUpGuys UBC Donation page.
To Mail us a Matching Donation Cheque
For cash donations or those gathered through a crowdfunding platform, you can transfer the funds to a personal account and then issue us a cheque for the matching amount.
If you’re located in the Vancouver area, we can facilitate a direct transfer of collected donations to a HeadsUpGuys team member.
Cheques must be payable to: “UBC HeadsUpGuys” and mailed to:
To obtain a tax receipt:
Please email us at [email protected] to notify us when a cheque is en route.
Make a Donation Via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)
If the option to write a cheque is unavailable, funds can also be transferred to us via Electronic funds transfer (EFT) .
To coordinate this transfer with our UBC Development and Alumni Engagement Office and ensure the funds are directed to our program, please contact us at [email protected].
Regardless of the method chosen, please ensure transparency with your supporters by sharing a photo or screenshot of the matching cheque/donation made to HeadsUpGuys.
Following-up after the event cultivates stronger connections and fosters a sense of community and sustained support.
Explore some of the inspiring initiatives our supporters have orchestrated to raise awareness about men’s mental health and champion our cause:
If you have any questions about or need assistance with fundraising, don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected].
We’re here to support your efforts in any way we can.