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How to create your own fundraiser for Giving Day for Apes to support the Limbe Wildlife Centre

Apes are just like us… They need a home, security, family, food, water, medical care, entertainment. This is why we need your help to keep doing our important work! Giving Day for Apes helps ape sanctuaries raise critical funds to rescue, rehabilitate and care for victims of the illegal wildlife trade. On October the 8^th, we aim to raise $10,000 – as well as try to win additional prizes throughout the day.

This guide serves as a comprehensive resource for individuals who want to create their own fundraising initiatives while highlighting the critical importance of their efforts for the Limbe Wildlife Centre. Funds from Giving Day for Apes will help fulfil the daily needs of the 50 apes under our care.

Key dates

• Early Donations Start: September 17, 2024
• Giving Day Event: October 8, 2024

Steps to create your own fundraiser

Step 1: Set your fundraising goal

Start by deciding how much you aim to raise. Consider setting a specific, achievable target that reflects your commitment but also challenges you. A good starting point could be $200, $500, or even $1,000 or more!

Step 2: Create your fundraising page

Having a personalized fundraising page can help you share your story and encourage donations. Here’s how to get started:

1. Go to our MightyCause page and select the Fundraise button and follow the instructions to create your fundraiser.
2. Tell Your Story: Share why you’re passionate about supporting LWC and the impact of your contributions. Include personal anecdotes, photos, and your connection to the cause.

Step 3: Plan our fundraising event

If you plan to run a marathon, hike, or participate in any event, integrating it into your fundraising efforts can be a great way to engage supporters. Here are some ideas for fundraising events:

• Marathon or race: Commit to running a marathon, half-marathon, or fun run. Charge an entry fee or seek sponsorship for each mile you complete.
• Virtual challenge: Create a virtual challenge (e.g., climbing stairs, walking certain distances). Invite friends and family to join you and raise funds as they participate.
• Host a fundraiser: Organize a small gathering, bake sale, trivia night, or silent auction. Use the proceeds to donate to LWC.
• Social media challenge: Start a fun challenge on social media and encourage others to donate as they participate and share their experiences.

Step 4: Build your network

Once your fundraising page and event are set up, it’s time to share your efforts with your network:

1. Reach out: Contact friends, family, colleagues, and acquaintances to explain your initiative. Let them know why the Limbe Wildlife Centre is important to you and how they can help.
2. Use social media: Create posts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn to spread the word about your fundraising efforts. Use images, videos, and stories to grab attention.
3. Email campaigns: Consider sending out a series of emails to those who may want to support you. Remind them of your goals and provide updates on your progress.
4. Create a team: Encourage others to join your fundraising initiatives and create a team. Together, you can amplify your impact and inspire more donations.
5. Utilize relevant hashtags to increase the visibility of your posts: eg #GivingDayForApes #LimbeWildlifeCentre #RescueRehabRelease #SupportApes #ChimpanzeeChampion #GorillaGuardian – be sure to tag Limbe Wildlife Centre’s official pages for maximum visibility and engagement.

Step 5: Keep your supporters engaged

It’s crucial to maintain communication with your supporters throughout your fundraising journey:

• Share updates: Regularly update your supporters on your progress toward your goal and any milestones you or your team may reach.
• Share success stories: Talk about the amazing work the Limbe Wildlife Centre does and how their contributions are, or will be, making a difference.
• Express gratitude: Always thank your donors personally and publicly. A simple thank-you message can go a long way in making people feel appreciated and valued.
• Maximise your impact: Encourage donors to give during power hours and at times we can win golden tickets. Check the GDFA website for more information about additional prizes and the prize schedule.

Step 6: Celebrate Achievements

Once your fundraiser wraps up, celebrate your success!

1. Share your results: Communicate how much you raised and the impact it will have on the Limbe Wildlife Centre.
2. Acknowledge contributions: Highlight the names or stories of key donors (with their permission), showcasing how each person’s effort has contributed to a larger cause.
3. Continue the conversation: Encourage supporters to stay involved with LWC. Share newsletters, events, or volunteer opportunities to keep them engaged even after your fundraiser ends.

Inspiration: Why fundraise for LWC?

To provide further motivation, here are some facts about the impact of your contributions toward the Limbe Wildlife Centre’s mission:

• $5 can buy fresh fruits and vegetables for a rescued chimpanzee for one week
• $20 can buy immune boosting supplies, such as multivitamins, onions and ginger tea
• $30 can buy a wheelbarrow full of pineapples and watermelon – firm ape favourites!
• $60 can buy materials to build enrichment such as hammocks and puzzle feeders
• $100 can buy a  weeks supply of fresh Aframomum stems for our apes
• $150 can pay for one health check – essential for over-all wellbeing and for early detection of any health issues

With every donation, you’re helping to transform lives, making a tangible impact on the wellbeing of the animals in our care.

Ready to Get Started?

Thank you so much for considering this important initiative. Your commitment to supporting the Limbe Wildlife Centre is invaluable

If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to email Laura at fundraising@limbewildlife.org.

Let’s make this Giving Day for Apes unforgettable! Together, we can be the voice for the voiceless.

The supporter who raises the most money for the LWC through their fundraiser will get a FREE ape sponsorship for one year!

Don’t want to wait? Visit our sponsor an animal page to sponsor a rescue today.

How to participate and support the Limbe Wildlife Centre this #GivingDayforApes

Giving Day for Apes 2023 is nearly here! This year, we are appealing for your help to reach our goal of $30,000 for our orphan apes at the Limbe Wildlife Centre in celebration of our 30th anniversary.

Giving Day for Apes is an annual global contest, where ape sanctuaries compete to raise the most money and win additional prizes. The Limbe Wildlife Centre needs your help more than ever. For 30 years, the LWC has provided a safe and secure second chance for apes in desperate need. As victims of cruel wildlife trade, many of them has seen their families killed, been confined in horrendous and inhumane conditions for years, and even been beaten by their captors. They often arrive suffering psychological trauma, physical wounds, malnourishment, and infections.

Apes are just like us… They need a home, security, family, food, water, medical care, entertainment. This is why we need your help to keep doing our important work. Funds from Giving Day for Apes will help fulfil the daily needs of the 55 apes under our care.

To make it as easy as possible for you, we have put together a table of the times for the big day. You can help us by donating (as little as $5!) and encouraging all your friends and family to donate during the “most unique donors” power hour, and by making your large contributions during the “most dollars raised” power hour. We have the chance to win an additional $2,500 if we win these categories!