DIY Walk of Hope Toolkit

A DIY Walk of Hope is a peer-to-peer fundraiser. Each walker is automatically considered a fundraiser and encouraged to ask their friends and family members to make donations to RESOLVE on their behalf. The registration system provides each walker with an individual fundraising page. In addition, walkers can set up teams and team fundraising pages. From there, they can send emails, post on social media, etc.

Your job as a DIY Walk Chair is to coach them through the process and cheer on their success.

Resources:

• Classy Fundraising Tip Sheet
• Crush Fundraising – Classy P2P Guide
• Classy Guide: How to Grow Your Run/Walk
• Classy P2P Fundraising Blog
• Webinars from P2P Forum

Insurance Information

RESOLVE will not assume any liability associated with hosting a DIY Walk of Hope or DIY Fundraiser including but not limited to personal injury, property damage, loss, or theft.

Should the venue you select for the DIY Walk of Hope or DIY Fundraiser require a Certificate of Insurance, please contact chollister@resolve.org.

Announcements

If you have a sound system or DJ, put it to good use! Here are some examples of announcements you can make while your attendees are waiting for the event to start.

• Thank your sponsors (name each sponsor on a rotating basis)
• Encourage attendees to visit booths
• Encourage attendees to participate in activities (“Have you gotten journey beads? Who is wearing the same colors as you are?”)
• It’s not too late to make a donation
• “Did you know?” use facts from mission signs, resolve.org, share info about local support groups
• Finalists for the best team name
• 2WW? BFN/BFP? DH? TTC? Visit RESOLVE’s website for a list of infertility acronyms and quiz the crowd: 

Walk T-Shirts

Repeat walks that raised at least $2,500 the previous year will be able to charge for t-shirts through their registration site. If t-shirts are optional, you may choose to have different registrations types, with and without t-shirts. If everyone gets a t-shirt, you may include it in the registration fee.

Getting t-shirts sponsored is still a great option and printing sponsor names on the t-shirt is a nice benefit to offer. Charging for t-shirts as part of registration may decrease your peer-to-peer fundraising.

Where to purchase t-shirts:

A local t-shirt shop is a great way to support your local economy and they may work with you on price. You also will need less lead time as you will likely pick them up rather than have them shipped. If you plan to have t-shirts for everyone, this is probably your best option.

There are several online options where you can design the t-shirt then send a link to participants to purchase their own. You set the price and part of the proceeds will go to RESOLVE. Purchasers can choose to have their t-shirt shipped directly to them or shipped to you for pick-up at the walk

Customink is the big guy in this market. They are professional, reliable, and have great customer service. Several DIY walk chairs have used them and have been happy with them. RESOLVE is registered with them as a charity. https://www.customink.com/ink/custom-ink-fundraising

We have been very successful working with PrintYourCause! They are a direct competitor and model their business after Customink, but at a lower price. Their customer service is excellent. They will set up a custom store for your DIY Walks that will make the process very easy for walk chairs, allowing you to either buy in bulk or have your walkers buy their own. Further, you can use the items they already have, or customize a shirt just for your walk. You can even have your own CUSTOM STORE, with the items you select with your walk name, your sponsors, etc.

https://app.printyourcause.com/campaigns/Resolve

The prices on the Print Your Cause store are for single-item purchases. There is a discount for bulk purchases.

MC/Speakers

Does your community have a local celebrity, such as a news personality or elected official, who has been open about their infertility journey? Invite them to attend and perhaps act as your MC.

Invite sponsors to make announcements, such as awards, top fundraisers, or to draw door prizes.

Keep your program and onstage announcements short and varied. Have a script and timeline. Have multiple people on stage (with quick transitions) to keep attention. Have visuals if possible (example, signs for award winners to carry on walk).

Walk chairs and key volunteers – you will be busy! Delegate as much of this as possible.

If you are going to take pictures, do it off stage to keep things moving.

Closing Registration

You will need to plan ahead to determine if and when to close online registration.

A few things to consider:

• RESOLVE will run registration reports the Friday afternoon before your walk. Anyone who registers after that will not be on the report.
• Everyone will want to check in when they arrive, even if you don’t really need them to.
• If you are distributing t-shirts you will want to merge that info (and advanced sale raffle tickets) into your check-in list.
• People can continue to make online donations after registration is closed.

A couple of possibilities:

1. Close online registration on Friday

• • Add information on the website that they can register onsite
  • Use paper on-site registration/donation form

2. Keep online registration open

• • Add information to the registration site and the confirmation email telling them that they will NOT be on the check-in list and to let the check-in volunteers know they are a late registrant.
  • Continue to allow online registration during check-in as well as use the paper on-site registration/donation form

You can use this form for onsite cash and check donations or the registration form. It is the only way that someone who makes cash or a check donation can get a receipt, which will be mailed from RESOLVE HQ after we receive and process their payment. You can add your walk name to the form, remove the credit card info, etc. For a review of handling cash and checks, see the Volunteer Money Handling Guidelines.

• DIY Check request form

• DIY Invoice form (docx)

• DIY expense reimbursement request form

• DIY In kind donation form (.docx)

• DIY In kind donation form (.pdf)

• DIY On-site registration form

• DIY Event Waiver

• DIY off-line donation form

• DIY Walk Application & Agreement

• DIY WOH Grant Application

• Letterhead

• Blank IRS W-9 (required to pay vendors)

• RESOLVE IRS W-9 (if requested by sponsors)

Logos

• DIY Walk Logo JPG format
• DIY Walk Logo PNG format
• DIY Walk Logo PDF format
• Proud Fundraiser

(Please send eps file request to chollister@resolve.org)

Flyers and Infographics

Email Samples

• Sample Volunteer Recruitment Email
• Sample Registration Recruitment Emails
• Sample Fundraising Coaching Email

Social Media Guidelines

Social Media Goals - When using Social Media to promote the DIY Walk of Hope, create updates/posts that:

• Engage: Encourage a dialogue with your followers by asking questions & giving them opportunities to comment on posts.
• Motivate: Create inspirational posts that make followers laugh/smile/feel inspired to get more involved in the DIY Walk of Hope.
• Update: Followers need regular updates on DIY Walk-related news. Be sure to provide fundraising goal progress.
• Thank: Don’t forget to thank DIY Walk sponsors, walkers, fundraisers, volunteers, etc.

Housekeeping Items

1. When creating a Facebook page for your event, be sure to list the title as the following:City, State DIY Walk of Hope
   For example, Houston, TX DIY Walk of Hope
2. Be sure to use caps when using RESOLVE’s name on social media.
   For example, You’re invited to RESOLVE’s 1st annual Houston, TX DIY Walk of Hope! Walk with Houston at the 1st annual DIY Walk of Hope to support RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association.
3. Feel free to use as much as or as little social media as you would like (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, etc.)
4. Volunteers are responsible for all social media posts and content.  RESOLVE will NOT provide content, pictures, or images for volunteers to post.
5. From time to time, RESOLVE may promote DIY Walks of Hope on RESOLVE social media.
6. If there is a reason for RESOLVE to believe there is any negativity associated with your DIY social media, you will be asked to take it down. RESOLVE reserves the right to ask you to edit or delete any posts.

Social Media Do's and Don'ts

By posting about a RESOLVE event in an official capacity, you are representing RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association. Be mindful about how you represent your DIY Walk of Hope on Facebook and social media.

It’s also important to monitor your event page & respond to questions & comments as needed.

     Do:

• Create “events” on Facebook if you’d like. The emphasis of selecting “interested” on the Facebook event does not register you for the event. Frequently include a DIY Walk of Hope registration ask & include the link to register in your posts.
• Post at least once a day. (An easy way to achieve this goal is by scheduling posts in advance using Hootsuite.com, a free online scheduling service.)
• Be yourself. Let your personality shine in your Facebook/Twitter/social media posts.
• Motivate people who have already registered to fundraise. Include DIY Walk tips & tools that you create.
• Communicate that RESOLVE is a charity & DIY Walks are events that help support RESOLVE’s mission.
• Recognize & thank all Walk sponsors. Link to them (tag them or @mention them) when possible. (follow the guidelines in your sponsorship agreement for a number of call-outs, if appropriate).
• Like/Follow all RESOLVE DIY Walk sponsors with a Facebook presence.
• Help promote the DIY Walk of Hope by asking followers to share the post with others.
• Social media images can easily be created through free online programs such as www.canva.com and https://spark.adobe.com/ 

     Don’t:

• Swear or use any off-color remarks in your posts.
• Make jokes about RESOLVE, the infertility community, sponsors, or representatives.
• Use this event to comment on issues inside or outside of the infertility community.
• Tag participants on Facebook without written permission from the participant. Participants in the infertility community may not want to broadcast to their friends & family that they are participating in the Walk.
• Criticize/Call out participants for not raising enough or any money.
• Endorse or demonstrate favoritism for specific sponsors.
  Don’t post: “Thank you ABC Clinic for sponsoring the DIY Walk of Hope or DIY! If you’re looking for a fertility clinic, visit them at their offices in three locations.”
  Don’t post: “Thank Dr. Smith for your generous donation. Not only are you a great doctor, but you’re also very generous, too!”
  Don’t post: “I just had the best experience at ‘ABC Acupuncture!’ Thank you for that great session & being a DIY Walk of Hope sponsor!”
• Share information from sponsors without acknowledging their sponsorship.

Social Media Tips

• Sign up for the free website, www.canva.com. Canva gives you everything you need to easily turn ideas into stunning designs. Create designs for web or print: blog graphics, presentations, Facebook covers, flyers, posters, invitations & so much more.
• Try to ask questions in your posts to encourage engagement. You will not always get comments but that is ok!
• When creating a post, think about what catches your attention when you are scanning your newsfeed.
• Always include a picture or graphic in your posts.
• By reminding your followers that this is a fundraising event & that there’s a goal (see your DIY Walk website for the goal), your post will help everyone get more engaged with fundraising.

Sample Facebook Posts

• Encourage team captains to take the lead!
  Sample Post: Team captains! Get your whole team engaged & ask them to like our Facebook page. We will be posting important updates for all participants.
• Encourage them to invite people
  Sample Post: Share this post with everyone you know asking them to support you and attend the 1st annual <insert location> DIY Walk of Hope. You can also email or hand out these Walk flyers.
  Sample Post: Who Should Walk? Invite someone you know that fits one of the descriptions below:
  ◊ Those still on their family building journey.
  ◊ Anyone who has resolved their infertility.
  ◊ Family, friends & anyone who cares about someone with infertility.
  ◊ Clinics, professionals, services providers, businesses and their clients & employees.

• Visit the RESOLVE Flickr page and share images from past walks: These posts can give participants ideas for their upcoming Walk.
  Sample Post: How cute is this fur baby’s shirt?! We will be having a fur baby costume contest at the <insert location> DIY Walk of Hope. Are you going to bring your fur baby to the Walk?
• Create a Facebook banner using Canva & ask your followers to change their cover photos.
  Sample post: Want to help spread the word about the <insert location> DIY Walk of Hope? Here is a custom Facebook banner you can use as your cover photo! <insert file>
• If applicable, share posts from the general RESOLVE Facebook page.
  Sample post: Share this post & let your friends & family know that the infertility community needs their support!
• If applicable, keep track of the Walk/Event days for other DIY Walk of Hope and post a Good Luck <insert location> Walkers & a supportive message.
• Create a video and share it. Keep the video short 30 sec to 1 min. Talk about why you are hosting a DIY Walk of Hope, announce interesting updates, announce a fundraising challenge, etc.
• Do weekly updates that include a tip to get closer to your goal.
  Sample post: Tip of the week- Ask five friends for $10 to support your DIY Walk of Hope team.
• Tip of the week- If you haven’t already, personalize your profile in the DIY Walk of Hope registration link & share it with your network. Give them an opportunity to support you.
• Tip of the week- Hold a coffee break or lunchtime bake sale at your office. Ask coworkers to help by baking items to sell. (RESOLVE President/CEO, Barb Collura, sells homemade scones to raise funds at RESOLVE HQ for her DC Walk of Hope team!)

Activity Ideas

Awards

Create fun or silly awards for participants. Examples include Best Dressed Fur Baby, Funniest Team Name, Most Creative T-shirt. Rather than spending money on prizes, give the winner a sign to carry during the walk.

Sign ideas

Journey Beads

This has been one of the most popular at the walks. Purchase mardi gras beads in a variety of colors. (Find a sponsor to cover the expense in exchange for the opportunity to have a sign on the table with the beads.) Assign each color to represent a step in the journey. Encourage attendees to wear as many beads as fit their circumstances.

Some popular examples are:

• I/We are battling infertility
• Unexplained and undeterred!
• Our dreams came true! We had success after infertility
• I/We have experienced pregnancy loss
• We are pursuing adoption or have adopted
• I/We are living child-free
• I am supporting a friend or family member who is struggling with infertility
• I am a volunteer
• I am a professional working in the field of infertility

Warm-Up

Ask a local fitness teacher to lead a fun warm-up before the walk.

Treasure Hunt/Passport

If you have sponsors or some kind of representation from businesses at your Walk, create a card or passport with each business’ name and/or logo. Hand them out at check-in and encourage walkers to visit each business and get their cards stamped. Give a small reward (candy?) to anyone who returns a completed card. Perhaps hold a drawing for an additional prize.

• Here’s an inexpensive perforated postcard from Amazon.
• Here are about a zillion little circle labels to make stickers.
• Here’s an art file for the labels: DIY Treasure Hunt Labels

Mission signs

Set signs along the walk course with inspiring or informative messages. Find a sponsor to cover the production cost in exchange for having their logo on each sign.

Pick a few of your favorites:

1. No one with infertility should walk alone.
2. Infertility does not discriminate by race, economic status, gender, or sexual orientation.
3. Infertility doesn’t care what your insurance covers.
4. Infertility doesn’t care how much money you make.
5. Infertility doesn’t care about the color of your skin.
6. Stress does not cause infertility, but infertility most definitely causes stress.
7. The #1 barrier to medical treatment for infertility is cost.
8. Start with hope, finish with RESOLVE.
9. 1/3 of infertility is attributed to both partners or is unexplained.
10. 90% of RESOLVE’s programs and services are hosted by volunteers.
11. The first RESOLVE support group was held at a kitchen table in 1974.
12. 1 in 6 people globally are are impacted by infertility.
13. Your donations have a direct impact on RESOLVE’s programs.
14. RESOLVE believes everyone diagnosed with infertility deserves access to support programs.
15. RESOLVE advocates for increased access to ALL family building options.
16. Thank you, Walkers!
17. RESOLVE founded National Infertility Awareness Week® (NIAW) in 1989.
18. National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW) is the only federally recognized health observance for infertility.
19. By walking today you are helping to spread infertility awareness.
20. RESOLVE support groups serve an average of 2,600 people every month.
21. 900+ RESOLVE volunteers helped provide education, support, and advocacy through RESOLVE’s programs last year.
22. RESOLVE is the only patient advocacy group in the U.S. that fights for the rights of women and men who are infertile.
23. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes infertility as a disease.
24. RESOLVE makes it easy for anyone to be an advocate for the infertility community.
25. Thank you RESOLVE support groups!
26. Once you choose hope, anything is possible.
27. Infertility is a disease.
28. You’ll never know how badly you want something until you are told that it may not be possible.
29. You don’t know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.

Children's Area

Every Walk of Hope is a family-friendly activity and people who now have children love to give back through this event. There will be children and they will want things to do. Be considerate when locating children’s activities, knowing that there are also people still on their journeys and that emotions can run high.

Find a volunteer face painter or ask a business to host one in their booth.

Contact a local craft store to see if they will set up a station.

Selfie Station

Create a backdrop and find some silly props. Create a hashtag so people can share.

Trivia Contest or Infertility Acronyms Contest

2WW? BFN/BFP? DH? TTC? Visit RESOLVE’s website for a list and pick the spicy ones to make it fun. Throw in some social media acronyms like LOL and OMG to mix things up. Create a station with cards that walkers can fill out, or have your MC ask from the stage and have the answers shouted out for all to hear.

Tailgate Games

Consider creating a spot for adults who might want to avoid the Children’s area. Cornhole is always fun, but ask your volunteers what they have in their garages for a free way to come up with a few activities.

Door Prizes/Drawings

Raffles and silent auctions are a great way to add to your fundraising total, but can be a lot of work, take a lot of planning, multiple volunteers, and may require you to handle cash at your Walk. If you are not ready to take that step, but find yourself with some donated items, consider using them for door prizes.

Messages of Hope

Leave a Message/Take a Message. Create a station where walkers can write a message of hope to another walker before the Walk and drop it into a mailbox. After the Walk, distribute the messages.

An even easier way is to simply have a Banner of Hope that people can sign and leave messages. Date it and bring it back next year to display.

Additional Fundraising Ideas

Silent Auction/Raffle

A silent auction can be a lot of work and may require its own subcommittee. At a minimum, be prepared with volunteers to man the activity, ample space to display the items, sheets (and pens) for people to enter their bids, and a solid plan for collecting payments.  Its cousin, a raffle, is a little easier to manage, but still requires planning and careful execution.

Please note that there are very specific guidelines that MUST be followed for any item valued at $1,000 or more. Please review the Giveaway Guidelines.

50/50

You see this a lot because it’s easy, low risk, and it works. Sell tickets. Draw 1 ticket. Half the pot goes to the winning ticket holder, the other half is donated to RESOLVE.

A fun variation is “Heads or Tails.” Gather ticket holders. Have everyone place their hands either on their head or on their tail. Flip a coin. Anyone who has their hands in the same place as the coin is still in for another round. Continue until you have only one person left, who is the winner of the 50/50.

Carnival Duck Pond Game or Balloon Pop

Too many items or multiples of the same item can really bog down a raffle or silent auction. Use your lower-cost items or multiples for this activity. Mark rubber duckies with a symbol that signifies a winner and place them in a “pond.” Sell chances to pick a rubber duckie to win.

Put notes in balloons that indicate winners and sell chances to pop the balloon and redeem a prize. Supplement with candy for consolation prizes.

Post-Event Restaurant Night

Many national chain restaurants and some local restaurants will donate a portion of proceeds during a given date and time to charity. Some require attendees to use a coupon. Find a restaurant and pick a date and promote it at the Walk. Distribute coupons at the walk if required. Promote in your post-event communications and encourage anyone who was unable to attend the walk to also join you for dinner.

Walk T-Shirts

 Repeat walks that raised at least $2,500 the previous year will be able to charge for t-shirts through their registration site. If t-shirts are optional, you may choose to have different registrations types, with and without t-shirts. If everyone gets a t-shirt, you may include it in the registration fee.

Getting t-shirts sponsored is still a great option and printing sponsor names on the t-shirt is a nice benefit to offer. Charging for t-shirts as part of registration may decrease your peer-to-peer fundraising. 

Where to purchase t-shirts:

A local t-shirt shop is a great way to support your local economy and they may work with you on price. You also will need less lead time as you will likely pick them up rather than have them shipped. If you plan to have t-shirts for everyone, this is probably your best option.

There are several online options where you can design the t-shirt then send a link to participants to purchase their own. You set the price and part of the proceeds will go to RESOLVE. Purchasers can choose to have their t-shirt shipped directly to them or shipped to you for pick-up at the walk

Customink is the big guy in this market. They are professional, reliable, and have great customer service. Several DIY walk chairs have used them and have been happy with them. RESOLVE is registered with them as a charity. https://www.customink.com/ink/custom-ink-fundraising

We have been very successful working with PrintYourCause! They are a direct competitor and model their business after Customink, but at a lower price. Their customer service is excellent. They will set up a custom store for your DIY Walks that will make the process very easy for walk chairs, allowing you to either buy in bulk or have your walkers buy their own. Further, you can use the items they already have, or customize a shirt just for your walk. You can even have your own CUSTOM STORE, with the items you select with your walk name, your sponsors, etc.

https://app.printyourcause.com/campaigns/Resolve

The prices on the Print Your Cause store are for single-item purchases. There is a discount for bulk purchases.

Other Revenue Enhancers

Here is a link to a great list of on-site revenue enhancers.

DIY Mission Signs

DIY Walk Expense Guidelines

A DIY Walk of Hope is meant to be a low-cost event. But we understand that some expenses can arise, such as:

• Venue rental
• Venue Liability/Event Insurance
• Venue Security

In addition, some DIY Walk committees look for ways to customize their events:

• On-site Signage
• T-shirts

Here are some ways to help with these expenses.

In-Kind Contributions

Ask the vendor to donate their product or services. Offer them something in return, such as publicity or an on-site presence at the walk.

Sponsored Expenses

Ask local businesses or service clubs to pay specific expenses. Offer then something in return. The venue sponsors could have on-site signage, while the t-shirt sponsor could have their logo on the t-shirt.

It is important that sponsors either pay the expense directly to the vendor or that sponsors donate to RESOLVE and then RESOLVE pays the expenses. Do not accept cash or checks made out to an individual.

Individuals may pay expenses directly and be reimbursed by RESOLVE from the money paid by the sponsor. Receipts are required.

Event Sponsorship

Each event should have defined sponsorship levels and corresponding benefits. In this scenario, the sponsors donate to RESOLVE and receive benefits related to the Walk.   For example, all sponsors above a certain dollar amount are mentioned in your social media posts and/or get event day signage, regardless of what their sponsorship pays for.

If you elect to have Event Sponsorship, RESOLVE staff will track your sponsorship revenue and will reimburse expenses assuming revenue has been received to cover the expenses.  RESOLVE will send you a regular update on the status of your revenue and expenses. It is the walk chair’s responsibility to keep expenses within the limits of the sponsorship revenue that has been received. If sponsorship revenue exceeds Walk expenses, the remaining proceeds will be credited to your fundraising total in Classy.

Event Sponsorship requires coordination with RESOLVE staff and has specific limitations and guidelines. Please contact Cindy Hollister, chollister@resolve.org, 703.556.7177 if you plan to pursue event sponsorships.

DIY Walk Sample Sponsorship Document

Engaging Professionals

Infertility Professionals in your area will want to support your efforts. Look for ways to get them involved. First and most importantly, encourage them to create a team and fundraise. Their team can consist of staff and patients. Don’t limit your outreach to clinics. Consider mental health professionals, acupuncturists, etc.

Ask them for help covering any expenses you incur. See Walk Expenses Guidelines if you are considering creating sponsorship opportunities.

Sell them “booth” space. Allow them to bring a tent (specify a size limit), a folding table, and chairs. Many clinics have branded give-aways that they can share, or can simply give out information about their business. Some might bring snacks or drinks.

Give a free “booth” to your local support group(s) so they can share their info. Print RESOLVE’s flyer to distribute to those who are looking for online resources.

To add value for professionals, create a “Treasure Hunt” to encourage attendees to visit with them. Create a card with the name of each vendor that attendees can get stamped at each booth. Solicit small prizes, such as gift cards from local businesses, and have a drawing for anyone who completes their card.

Resources

• DIY Walk Sponsorship Document Template
• DIY Walk Sample Sponsorship Packet Cover Letter (Detroit 2019)
• DIY Walk Sample personal ask – email or script (Detroit 2019)
• DIY Walk Check request form
• Invoice form
• expense reimbursement request form
• In-kind donation form
• Find a Health Professional 
• IRS W-9

Event Chair

• Interact with RESOLVE staff (agreement, registration site)
• Work with venue chair to select the date and location of the walk
• Work with venue chair to ensure that all requirements of venue are met (insurance, security, etc.)
• Establish a budget and ensure that the committee adheres to it.
• Recruit committee; coordinate and chair all committee meetings
• Work with sponsorship sales chair to create sponsorship levels, premiums, and goals
• Create the run of show (detailed event day schedule)
• Oversee event

Venue Chair

• Work with the event chair to select the date and location of the walk
• Work with event chair to ensure that all requirements of venue are met (insurance, security, etc.)
• Secure all necessary items via rental or in-kind donation, such as:
  • Tables
  • Chairs
  • Stage
  • Sound system
  • Stage
  • Tents for sponsors
• Coordinate delivery and pickup of all items
• Plan walk course; plan signage, course marshals, if necessary
• Ensure the venue is clean and left in proper condition after the event

Activities Chair

• See a list of suggested activities, network with other DIY committees for ideas, etc.
• Work with the volunteer coordinator to ensure all activities are properly covered.

Marketing/Recruiting Chair

This person’s job is to get walkers registered for the event.

• Create a Facebook page or event
• Share information about the event with local RESOLVE support groups
• Share information about events with local infertility professionals to share with their clients/patients
• Work with RESOLVE staff to send information to members of the email list (volunteer to provide content, RESOLVE to send email)

Activation/Fundraising Chair

This person works with people who have already registered for the event. A DIY Walk of Hope is a peer-to-peer fundraiser.

• Encourage walkers to personalize their fundraising pages
• Send coaching emails with fundraising tips, ideas, and encouragement
• Encourage competition between fundraising teams

Volunteer Coordinator

• Work with event chair, venue chair, and activities chair to determine their needs
• Create an event day volunteer plan
• Recruit and assign volunteers
• Act as volunteer liaison at event
• Follow up with thank-you notes

Sponsorship Sales Chair

• Work with event chair to create sponsorship levels, premiums, and goals
• Reach out to local clinics and fertility-related businesses to secure their financial support
• Ensure that premiums are fulfilled by getting logos, providing materials, etc.
• Act as sponsor liaison at event
• Follow up with thank you letter and photos from the event

Auxiliary Fundraising Chair 

Create a subcommittee and create an additional fundraiser, such as a raffle/silent auction or pre/post-event restaurant night. See a list of ideas. Must coordinate with RESOLVE staff if planning a raffle.

Resources

Sample volunteer recruitment email (Charlotte 2020)

Giveaway Guidelines

1. All Giveaway items must be donated to RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association and no fees shall be paid by RESOLVE for any of the items.
2. For items of value under $1,000, raffle tickets can and should be sold at the event and not in advance.
3. Anyone attending the event can purchase these raffle tickets for the under $1,000 items and can choose which prizes to win.
4. Event attendees are not required to fundraise for or donate to RESOLVE prior to the event to be able to buy these raffle tickets for the under $1,000 items onsite.
5. Raffle ticket prices must be approved by the RESOLVE Walk of Hope Manager.
6. Event organizers can decide to give Attendees a raffle ticket for the under $1,000 items if they donate or raise a certain amount in advance of the Event through Classy, RESOLVE’s online fundraising platform.
7. RESOLVE reserves the right to change the guidelines at any time. RESOLVE reserves the right to refuse to accept Giveaway items. RESOLVE reserves the right to not award a Giveaway to someone if any rules were broken or impropriety is suspected.
8. For items valued at $1,000 and over, such as an IVF medical treatment cycle, hereafter referred to as “Higher-Valued Item Giveaway,” the following guidelines apply and must be followed:
   1. To be eligible to win a Higher-Valued Item Giveaway, an Event Attendee must have set up an Individual Fundraising Page, a Team Page, or joined an existing Team via Classy, RESOLVE’s online fundraising tool. Follow this link, choose the DIY Walk of Hope you wish to register for, click “Register” then register as an Individual, “Join a Team” or “Create a Team.”
   2. After registering as an individual, as a team, or joining an existing team, the Event Attendees must either donate a minimum of $75.00 or raise a minimum of $75.00 to be eligible for the Higher-Valued Item Giveaway. If someone donates to an existing team, the $75.00 donation can only be counted once – for either the donor or the Team Captain.
   3. If the minimum is met, when the Event Attendee attends the event, he/she will receive one ticket for the Higher-Valued Item Giveaway. Additional tickets for the Higher-Valued Item Giveaway cannot be purchased. Each person raising or donating $75.00 gets one ticket only; each $75.00 donation only counts once, for either the donor or the Team Captain. It is recommended that the ticket colors be different between the Higher-Valued Item Giveaway and the general raffle for items valued under $1,000. Tickets cannot be donated to someone else.
   4. If there is more than one Higher-Valued Item, Event Attendee can only put their ticket in one of the prize boxes.
   5. If two people from the same household win more than one Higher-Valued Item, they can only claim one prize. They must decide which item to accept and other tickets will be drawn for the item they do not accept.
   6. Higher-Valued Items cannot be transferred or donated to someone else. The winning ticket receives the item unless they decline, then another ticket is drawn.
   7. Winners must be present to win. No-shows will not count. If the winner is not present, another ticket will be drawn.

Expense Guidelines

A DIY Walk of Hope is meant to be a low-cost event. But we understand that some expenses can arise, such as:

• Venue rental
• Venue Security

In addition, some DIY Walk committees look for ways to customize their events:

• On-site Signage
• T-shirts

Here are some ways to help with these expenses.

In-Kind Contributions

Ask the vendor to donate their product or services. Offer them something in return, such as publicity or an on-site presence at the walk.

Sponsored Expenses

Ask local businesses or service clubs to pay specific expenses. Offer then something in return. The venue sponsors could have on-site signage, while the t-shirt sponsor could have their logo on the t-shirt.

It is important that sponsors either pay the expense directly to the vendor or that sponsors donate to RESOLVE and then RESOLVE pays the expenses. Do not accept cash or checks made out to an individual.

Individuals may pay expenses directly and be reimbursed by RESOLVE from the money paid by the sponsor. Receipts are required.

Event Sponsorship

Each event should have defined sponsorship levels and corresponding benefits. In this scenario, the sponsors donate to RESOLVE and receive benefits related to the Walk.   For example, all sponsors above a certain dollar amount are mentioned in your social media posts and/or get event day signage, regardless of what their sponsorship pays for.

If you elect to have Event Sponsorship, RESOLVE staff will track your sponsorship revenue and will reimburse expenses assuming revenue has been received to cover the expenses.  RESOLVE will send you a regular update on the status of your revenue and expenses. It is the walk chair’s responsibility to keep expenses within the limits of the sponsorship revenue that has been received. If sponsorship revenue exceeds Walk expenses, the remaining proceeds will be credited to your fundraising total in Classy.

Event Sponsorship requires coordination with RESOLVE staff and has specific limitations and guidelines. Please contact Cindy Hollister, chollister@resolve.org, 703.556.7177 if you plan to pursue event sponsorships.

DIY Walk Sample Sponsorship Document

Volunteer Money Handling Guidelines

• Reduce the need for money handling by encouraging same-day registrants and donors to process their transactions online.
• Price items such as raffle tickets in easy-to-pay increments to reduce the need for change.
• Designate a limited number of trusted people to handle money.
• Two unrelated people should be present whenever cash is handled.
• No one under the age of 18 is permitted to handle money.
• All checks should be made out to RESOLVE, RESOLVE Inc., or RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association.
• Cash, checks, and credit card information should never be in plain sight. Acceptable storage includes zippered bank bags, cash boxes, large envelopes.
• Money handling should be confined to designated areas only, such as registration/check-in, raffle/silent auction.
• Money must be secured during the walking portion of the program. Plan ahead! Consider placing it in the locked glove compartment of a locked car or designate 2 people to remain behind and not walk.
• Enforce the use of the on-site donation/registration form. Note that this is the only way for a cash donor to get a receipt.
• The Walk Chair or a designee may acquire cash for change and be repaid from the cash on hand at the end of the event. Change should be counted before and after the event with a second party present.
• Cash acquired at the event should not be used to pay expenses. Be prepared in advance for any cash needs, such as tips.
• All cash should be counted and recorded by 2 people before it leaves the Walk location.
• Volunteers must maintain confidentiality. Do not share names, addresses, etc. or donation amounts with anyone other than the DIY Walk Chairs and RESOLVE staff. Do not retain any information or use any information for yourself or your business.
• All receipts should be sent to RESOLVE as soon as practical. Postal money orders for up to $1,000 may be purchased at your local post office for $3 and are replaceable if lost or stolen. 

Sample Sponsorship Document

RESOLVE Tax ID

RESOLVE Incorporated, DBA RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, is recognized by the IRS as exempt from Federal income tax under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Donors may deduct contributions to RESOLVE as allowed by law.

EIN: 23-7413696

RESOLVE tax ID number

IRS determination letter

RESOLVE Mission Statement

RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, established in 1974, is dedicated to ensuring that all people challenged in their family-building journey reach resolution through being empowered by knowledge, supported by community, united by advocacy, and inspired to act.

RESOLVE exists to provide:

◊ Access to Care
◊ Advocacy for Coverage
◊ Access to Support & Community
◊ Access to Education
◊ Awareness of All Family Building Options

RESOLVE’s Board of Directors, Staff, and Volunteers operate with:

◊ Care and compassion
◊ Integrity and without bias
◊ Respect for all resolutions
◊ Credibility and authority
◊ A strong sense of community
◊ The goal to drive positive change
◊ A passionate belief that everyone deserves the right of family

RESOLVE is a member of the National Coalition for Oversight of Assisted Reproductive Technologies(NCOART), the National Health Council and is a founding member of the International Federation of Infertility Patient Associations (IFIPA).

RESOLVE will not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or any other classification protected by applicable state or federal law.

RESOLVE is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization certified under the National Health Council Standards of Excellence. The National Health Council demands the highest standards of accountability and ethical practice from its patient advocacy group members to assure the public that these organizations are worthy of support.

RESOLVE’s Annual Reports and organizational 990s are posted on the RESOLVE website. The RESOLVE Board of Directors contracts a management company, MCI USA, to provide staffing and administrative support. Approximately 83% of all funding for RESOLVE is directed to programs and services in support of our mission.

RESOLVE Mission Statement

RESOLVE Short Mission Statement

I am	I want to
Walker/Fundraiser	Register/Claim fundraising page
Walker/fundraiser	Create/edit my individual page
Walker/fundraiser	Update my individual page
Walker/fundraiser	Share my fundraising page
Walker/fundraiser	Create or Join a team
Walker/fundraiser	Thank a donor
Team Captain	Create my team page
Team Captain	Manage/edit my team page
Any user	Edit my profile