LLLI | LLLI World Walk Sponsors Idea

How to Get Sponsors for the World Walk

If you are new to fundraising, the following tips will help you get started. While the World Walk for Breastfeeding is a great public relations opportunity, you'll want to take advantage of this chance to help raise funds to support La Leche League at all levels. Set a goal. Your goal might be that all Walkers will be sponsored or that you will raise a certain amount of money; setting a goal will help provide motivation.

Don't let the idea of asking for money make you uncomfortable. Remember the benefits of breastfeeding reach far beyond your own baby or your local LLL Group. Use the World Walk as an opportunity to tell people about how breastfeeding helps solve problems that affect them, like pollution. Many potential donors will be interested to learn how much money government programs save when mothers breastfeed. Looking at the big picture will give you confidence.

Make a list of prospective donors. Hold a brainstorming session with your Group and list as many prospects as possible. Use all the contacts you can think of and ask their families and friends for more ideas. If you are still unsure of who to approach, start with your doctor, your grocery store, the dry cleaner, bank, mothers who have called for help but never joined your Group, and even your neighbors.

Put business and health care professionals who are likely to donate larger amounts at the top of your list. Raising larger amounts of money in the beginning can motivate you to contact more prospective donors and perhaps be eligible for some of the great Walk prizes!

Prepare packets of handouts that outline the benefits of breastfeeding and describe the work of La Leche League. Good publications to use are Breastfeeding Does Make a Difference and What Is LLLI?. These can accompany sponsor brochures. If you can't afford to buy a lot of handouts, compile a notebook, with handouts in clear protective pages, that you can go over with potential donors.

Do your research and be ready with a list of facts tailored to your particular targeted donor. If you are approaching a business, discuss how breastfeeding helps build a better, healthier work force in the long term. Tell insurance companies about the health benefits, including fewer hospitalizations and healthier infants. Talk to your prospect and discover what benefit of breastfeeding might interest him or her. Be prepared with the facts so you can answer questions.

Make a list of what a specific dollar amount can do. For example, let your donor know what it takes to buy a book for the Group Library, send a Leader to a conference, or train a Peer Counselor who can reach teen moms. Be sure donors know their money is helping LLLI fund projects such as the 1-800 line and helping mothers and babies in developing countries. Tell your sponsor that their dollar will stretch a long way in helping mothers locally as well as internationally.

Be sure to thank each and every person who sponsors a Walker. Thank-you postcards are included in your kit, and others can be ordered. You may want to include details of how much you raised and what your Group will do with the money.

How to Get Publicity for the World Walk

If you are unsure of how to go about getting media attention for your World Walk for Breastfeeding, here are some quick tips on what to do and how to do it. Remember, reporters are always looking for stories. They want to tell the community about interesting events; it's their job! Don't forget this is a perfect chance to raise money for your Group, your Area, and LLLI!

Call the local media or go to your library research desk and make a list of the editors or reporters you would like to reach. Make a calendar of media deadlines. Note phone numbers, too. Keep track of what you send to whom and when and place it in your file for next year. Check the Leader's Handbook for basic information on publicity. Make a list of all the "community calendars" on TV, radio, and in the local newspapers. Send in your information well ahead of your event to be sure it appears in these calendars. This will help attract participants and sponsors.

Respect the local media's deadlines. Be sure to get your press release to the media on time. It is best to send it a week or so ahead of the deadline. If you send it months ahead it may get misplaced on the editor's desk. Address your letter to a specific person so it has a better chance of being read. You will want to accompany press releases included in your kit with a letter (the kit includes a fill-in-the-blank sample) listing the times and dates of your local event. You may want to include some handouts about LLL, such as What Is LLLI?

Appoint one person to handle media inquiries. Her name and phone number should appear on your press release. Remember, follow LLL guidelines for your Area regarding communication with the media. Your representative should be prepared with answers and ready to tell reporters she will get back to them if she is unsure how to answer.

Soon after your press release arrives on the news desk, call your media contact. Ask if he or she has had time to read the release and if you can provide any further information. It is all right to ask if he or she plans to cover the event. If a reporter is not available to cover the event, ask if they will print the story if you write about it. Ask if you can send your own photo.

Call local radio and/or TV community talk shows to ask if they would like to do a segment on World Breastfeeding Week. If they seem interested, call your ACL for a local LLL media spokesperson who may have experience handling this type of situation. Also contact other groups of breastfeeding advocates or supportive health care providers who may be willing to appear on the show. The more helpful you can be in providing "experts," the more interested the talk show is likely to be.

Remember that the day after the Walk is a great time for more publicity. Be ready to send a press release or make phone calls that advise reporters of the total number of Walkers who participated and the amount of money you raised. Be sure to include a thank-you to your donors. If you are taking your own pictures, be sure you get plenty of close-ups of cute babies as well as some group shots. Send this information and your picture the day of the Walk or the next day. Be sure to save your clippings and send a copy to LLLI.

Some newspapers will allow letters of thanks after a special event in the Letters to the Editor column. It is a great way to say thanks and get one more chance at good publicity.

Page last edited Sun Oct 14 09:35:34 UTC 2007.