When the need is obvious, it doesn’t take much to rally the troops. We all know that an outdoor AED—available 24/7 at your local park, stadium, or trail—could be the difference between a tragedy and a miracle. But where to start?
Even people with the best intentions stall without a clear path forward. Successful fundraising isn’t hard, but it does need a plan.
Whether you are a coach, a parent, a student athlete, or a concerned community member, it’s always easier if you have a trusted partner with a record of success and a proven approach to help you get started.
Let SaveHeart Fundraising create a campaign for you, utilizing our simple but highly effective time-tested approach and 5-step “playbook.”
#1: Start With the “Why,” Not the Dollar Amount
Most campaigns start with a number. Start with a story instead.
People don’t donate to “buy equipment”; they donate to protect the kids, coaches, and fans at high school athletic fields, the middle-aged adults at the new pickleball courts, or the seniors walking on the community trail.
- SaveHeart Fundraising creates the story, focusing on your “why” and crafting all communications using our experience and templates. We also use your school colors and logo(s) and share the specific location of where the lifesaving AED equipment will go.
#2: Build Your Team of Champions
The strongest efforts are never solo. A team brings credibility and reach.
- The Squad: We help Athletic Directors, Coaches & Community members recruit a mix of colleagues, students, team members, first responders, and “social butterflies” who are great at spreading the word about this exciting initiative.
- The Result: More connections to family members, friends, and local sponsors.
#3: Make Giving Frictionless
If the process is confusing, people will click away.
- Don’t make them hunt: Use a dedicated platform like SaveHeart Fundraising. It gives your community one clear, legitimate place to donate and track progress.
- Keep it simple: The fewer clicks between “I want to help” and “Payment confirmed,” the better.
- SaveHeart Fundraising will build your customized campaign by creating the message and managing the outreach, reminders, and tracking. The funding follows.
#4: Invite Businesses & Civic Organizations to be Partners (Not Just Donors)
Local businesses and civic organizations love supporting visible, meaningful projects.
- The Pitch: Show them what the AED cabinet will look like with their name ‘in lights,’ where the AED will be placed, and how many people use this community space.
- The Perk: Offer naming rights or social media “shout-outs.” Even if they aren’t looking for fame, they’ll appreciate the goodwill & helping foster community pride
- SaveHeart Fundraising designs ‘free’ digital mock-ups to showcase organizations that supported this important and exciting lifesaving community endeavor.
#5: Keep the Momentum Moving
Too many campaigns go silent in the middle. The middle is where belief is built.
- Celebrate the first donation.
- Use “fundraising thermometers” to show progress.
- Publicly thank every sponsor.
Ready to protect your community?
SaveHeart Fundraising was created so you don’t have to build your campaign from scratch. We provide the structure, the platform, and the support to help you make an immediate impact.
👉 Click here to see how SaveHeart can jumpstart your campaign
