Julie Russell, Community Fundraising Strategist

Our annual Walk for PKD is just around the corner! As our signature fundraising event, 100% of the funds you raise go to PKD research to help find treatments and a cure. Our Community Fundraising Strategist, Julie Russell, shares her go-to fundraising tips to gear up for the season:

In the six years I’ve been with the Foundation, I have been lucky enough to work with volunteers all over the country to put on Walk for PKD events. I have been even luckier to attend many of them and I am always fascinated by the dedication of the volunteers, event participants and donors. It’s refreshing to see their determination result in the funding of crucial PKD research.

Julie (center) with volunteers at the 2017 Connecticut Walk for PKD.

As a fundraiser for the Walk myself, I’d like to share a few tips for other Walk participants and fundraisers:

• Share your story – no matter what the reason for your involvement with PKD, share your story and let people know why it’s important to you. This opens the conversation and allows you to tell them how they can support you and this cause that is so important to you.
• Ask your friends and family – don’t forget to ask the ones closest to you for support. They may or may not know your story, but often times, they just need an invitation or reminder and are happy to contribute.
• Be creative – don’t be afraid to think outside the box! Restaurant fundraisers, penny wars and jeans day at corporate offices are just a few ideas you may be able use in your community. Have fun with it!
• Use the app – there is a P2P Fundraising app that you can use to track your fundraising progress, ask for donations, thank your donors, etc. If you are a team captain, you can even receive notifications each time someone joins your team. So far this season, I have found the app incredibly helpful for staying on top of my fundraising activity and keeping track of the donors I have thanked. I encourage everyone to check it out! The app is free to download for Apple devices on the App Store as well as Android devices on Google Play.

Get involved with your local Walk to start fundraising for PKD research today!

For additional fundraising tips and other great tools, check out the Walk Toolbox. I hope you’ll register and join me in the fundraising efforts to fund critical PKD research.

Go to walkforpkd.org to sign up and start fundraising today!