For the Love of the Club

For the Love of the Club is a peer-to-peer / DIY 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!

2024 Club Champions

Eric Beaulac

Jane Bessel
Jimmy Bulmer
Jim Callister
Ryan Callister
Chris Dawson
Patrick Doyle
Ben Houck

Vicky Moi
Tracy Moore
Tim Pratt

Nora Ritinski
Matt Smith
Andrea Smyth
Christine Tramontano Faga

Sherrie Young

Make a Donation today

Make a donation right now for the love of the Club.

Donate Now

Become a BGCCA Champion

Scroll down to learn how to sign up to be a BGCCA Champion!

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How does it work?

Each champion will have their own For the Love of the Club fundraising page and link to personalize and share. We'll set it up for you!

Each champion will have a minimum fundraising goal of $500 through the end of the year.

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

How do I get involved?
It’s simple! 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!

You’ll receive the link to your fundraising page, along with instructions for personalizing your page, template information for email, text, and social media, and tips for success!

What if I can’t raise $500? That seems like a lot!
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!

Have fun with your event. 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 Your 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.
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.
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 BGCCA.

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

Champion List

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