Raise Money for your Charity
The top 5 walkers that raise the most money for their charity will win an additional $1,000 for their charity and the team that raises the most money will win $5,000 for their charity!

Walker sponsors are able to donate online with credit cards or send checks to TelfairLife made out the chosen charity designating the sponsored walker’s name. TelfairLife will collect the money raised, record the top fundraisers and distribute donations to the designated charities.

Mailing Address:
TelfairLife
Attn: Walkathon
19901 Southwest Freeway, Suite 210
Sugar Land, TX 77479

Create a Personal Fundraising Page
Keep track of your donations and make it easy for friends and family to sponsor you online by creating your own personal fundraising page. To create your own personal fundraising page on Active.com, click on "Become A Fundraiser” on your charity’s campaign page. Charity campaign pages can be accessed by clicking the charity’s logo under the Charity Tab. Any questions about online giving please contact Active Customer Support 1-877-228-4881 or email support@active.com.

Fundraising Advice
Spread the Word! Let the world know what you are doing and why.
Remember the most important thing: 'If you don't ask you don't get!'
- Develop a list of personal donors and how much you will ask each of them. Include friends and family from your holiday card list. Did you include any personal vendors: dry cleaner, day care, banker, physician, dentist, hair stylist, car dealer or real estate agent?

- Start Early: Make a plan and stick to it. Make sure to give yourself enough time.

- Don't be overwhelmed by your fundraising goal; break it down into manageable chunks.

- Make it easy for people to sponsor you by giving them all the tools and information they could possibly need.

- Offer to take sponsorship in the form of a check or cash there and then. Make sure checks are made out to your charity of choice and then mailed to TelfairLife (see address above).

- Follow Up: Keep a detailed record of everybody that has supported you so that they can all be thanked when you return. Let them know how the challenge went and how much it raised in total.

Approaching an Employer
If you are approaching your employer make sure that you present your ideas in an organized and professional manner. Ask your employer if they will 'match-fund’, for example, if you are able to raise $1,000 your employer may match this and sponsor you for $1,000. You will be surprised how many companies will support you in this way. Make sure to include information about: the walk, your charity of choice and what benefits there are to the company. Also, ask to be included on the company’s website or newsletter.

Clubs and Organizations
Service Clubs are often good places to approach for sponsorship and they will often invite you to talk about your adventures. Expect to talk for about 15-20 minutes and use visual aids where appropriate to illustrate your points and the cause they are supporting.

Friends and Family
Never underestimate the value of friends and volunteers. They will have another set of contacts to offer you, different skills and enthusiasm.

Ask In Person
Ask for a specific amount rather than letting the donor decide- remember that it is easier to trade down than up: "will you sponsor me $100 for the Charity of Your Choice Walk" "no, sorry I cannot afford that", "how about $50" "great, thank you"

By Email or Letter
Create a solicitation letter or email to send it to prospective donors.
Make sure to include information about:

- Your personal fundraising goal

- Why you are supporting the particular charity you have chosen. Include a link to the charity of your choice homepage for more information.

- If you have a personal connection, discuss how the condition or issue has affected your life and the lives of those around you.

- Make is easy. Include a link to the ‘Sponsor A Walker’ page for donors to give money online with major credit cards or include a self addressed envelope in the mail.

- How and where they can send their donations- or when you will call them.

- Include a self addressed stamped envelope with your letter to make it easy for your donors to contribute.

- Place a follow up call to all friends and family who have not responded.

Send it to friends, family, companies, work contacts and local schools, even your entire address book. As you get closer to your deadline email or write to all the people you contacted originally and let them know if you are short of your fundraising target and that you still need 'x' amount. Ask if they will sponsor you in order to take you to the target.

If you are able to change your email auto-signature at work and/or home, add a line about your challenge to raise awareness of what you are doing. Include a link to the walkathon homepage too.