Fundraising General Philosophy

We each understand how important the fundraising and corporate sponsorships (and corporate match) efforts played in the success of the Team Illinois campaign to get to and enjoy the US Transplant Games. All of the reimbursements enjoyed by the team (lodging/hotel, registration, and travel) plus the great uniforms, jackets, pins, hats and strong communication efforts to include mailers, transplant center education, marketing pieces, team conference calls, meetings, etc. were the result of TEAM SPONSORED FUNDRAISING EVENTS held during the months preceding the Games.

Here are some unknowns as we plan for the next Games: We do not know yet where the Transplant Games 2006 will be held..whether it is a short drive or an airfare away, so we are unsure as to the amount of travel dollars we will be spending. We don't yet know the housing situation (campus dorms/price of local hotels). We do not know the cost of registration and we do not know the amount of team members that we will need to plan for relative to uniforms. We do know that we would like to double the team from 2004 so that will take significant marketing and recruiting dollars.

So, since we have some time before the next Games, I would ask each of you to consider how you might impact the Fundraising efforts of the Team...whether it be by giving me the names/addressess of the key individuals of your organization to ask for sponsorships (many, many companies offer this as a benefit to their employees), telling me whether you have corporate match $ available at your companies, or if you are willing to either LEAD, HELP WITH, or ATTEND fundraising events over the next year or so.

We would like to have at least 1 fundraising event somewhere in the state every calendar quarter, possibly more than 1 running at the same time....
And while it stands to reason that each individual does not have the time, talent or desire to take a lead role with this type of undertaking, my hope is that each team member will support those events that are in their areas and BRING OTHERS! This is the key to this past year's success! We need to contact our business relationships, neighbors, friends, family and corporations for their help too.

Stay in touch -- stay tuned to the website -- and let me know how you can help.