Love The Club

BGCCA - For The Love of The Club - Peer to Peer Fundraising for Youth Services in the Capital Area!

For the Love of the Club is a peer-to-peer campaign aimed at raising needed funds and awareness for Boys & Girls Clubs of the Capital Area.

Each 'Champion' shares their love of the Club with their personal and professional networks. Maybe it's a virtual birthday fundraiser or running a local marathon on behalf of BGCCA or maybe a bake sale. It's up to you.

Every dollar raised sustains our current life-changing programs and helps us identify additional programs and opportunities to help even more local youth that need us most.

We invite everyone to participate by supporting a BGCCA Champion or by becoming one!

Make a Donation today

Make a donation on behalf of a Champion.

Donate

Become a BGCCA Champion

Scroll down to learn how to be a BGCCA Champion!

SignUp

How does it work?

Club Champions sign up to raise a fixed goal, (we recommend $500), through the end of the year. The Club will recognize each Champion with unique prizes and acknowledgement on this page.

Where do I send donors?

Send them to this page and click the donate button in the box above. (Here is the direct donation link).

In the field marked WHY DID YOU DONATE have your donors add your name so that you get credit for each donation!

All donations, big and small, will have a huge impact!

Questions? Just reach out to Pat Doyle, Chief Development Officer at (518) 274-3781 ext. 2001 or
at pdoyle@bgccapitalarea.org and let him know you’d like to be a Club Champion!

DIY Fundraiser
There are many ways that you can achieve your goal and we encourage you to be creative! Here are a few tips to get you started!

TELL YOUR STORY

Your experience with the Club is unique to you – so let people know why you are passionate about the BGCCA mission. When you make it personal, your friends and family will be able to see your passion and be inspired.

BE YOUR 1ST DONOR

When you make the first donation, regardless of whether it is $5 or $50, you are saying to everyone you reach out to that it is important enough to you that you’ve put your own skin in the game.

SAY THANK YOU

Say it often. Say it publicly. You’ll find that the simple act of thanking donors for their support reminds others that they want to support you, too! THANK YOU!

ASK AGAIN

On average, it takes at least 3 asks for someone to remember to make their donation. Even if they meant to donate the first time, people often need a little nudge here and there. Make your ask, and don’t be afraid to ask again.

GET CREATIVE WITH YOUR DIY EVENT!

Have fun for a cause! There are many possibilities! Host a bake sale, birthday fundraiser, art show, car wash, concert, cooking event like a picnic or BBQ or lemonade stand, dance-a-thon or skate-a-thon, talent show, and so much more – you can make your campaign as unique and fun as possible!

Steps to Create An Event

We are so grateful that you would like to fundraise on behalf of our Clubs! Here are some tips for those who don’t know where to start. We hope this will help you narrow your focus and be successful.

Form a Committee and Brainstorm. Bring together a group of enthusiastic people willing to be part of a planning committee and brainstorm ideas for your fundraiser
Decide on your fundraiser. Whether you host an event or raise money through your business, make sure it’s something you and the committee will succeed at.

There are plenty of ideas like: a live or silent auction, fitness challenge, 50/50 raffle, food or wine tasting, partnerships with a restaurant or bar for a party or trivia night, comedy or music performance, game night, scavenger hunt, sports or gaming tournament, and so much more!
Create a budget. Having a budget is vital to the success of your efforts. Identify all the expenses involved with your fundraiser (invitations, rental space, signage, food, promotional materials, advertising, permits etc.). Think about the streams of revenue (ticket sales, items sold, etc.). Think about the possibility of getting some items or services donated (food, equipment, printing, etc.) to reduce your costs.
Schedule the fundraiser. Select a date and time that is appropriate and convenient for those attending your event. If you are fundraising over a period, choose a time of the year you think is best for your potential supporters. Be sure to check community events calendars for a conflicting fundraisers. Be sure to check community events calendars for conflicting dates.
Stick to a timeline. Create goals and set target dates to meet those goals. Plane the details of what it will take to pull off your fundraiser.
Advertise. Spread the word. Tell friends, family, and co-workers. Announce your social media accounts. Let us know so we can amplify your message!
Say thank you. Send thank you letters, notes or e-mails to everyone who participated in your event.

Remember, it's all for a good cause. Whether you don’t quite meet your goal – or surpass it by a mile, EVERY DOLLAR COUNTS. It all adds up to mean more opportunities for kids. More great futures that will get a kick start because of your support of Boys & Girls Clubs.

Questions? Reach out to Pat Doyle, Chief Development Officer at (518) 274-3781 ext. 2001 or at pdoyle@bgccapitalarea.org.

Donations mean:

$20   Academic or art supplies
$50   Healthy, nourishing meals
$100  Transportation for kids
$250 One teen related program
$500 Full day children's program