Project Leader Toolkit

Congratulations! You created a VOLstarter project. Now, let’s get it fully funded. You are responsible for the primary promotion of your project. How you leverage your own network will make or break your campaign. To support your peer-to-peer fundraising efforts, you’ll find creative templates, communication pointers, and a sample 30-day timeline below.

Logos and Canva Templates Email/Letter Template Social Media Phone Call, Voicemail, or Text Sample Communications Plan

Logos and Canva Templates

Here you can download the VOLstarter logo and create graphics for social media and email promotion. Eye-catching designs and images are more likely to garner attention!

Download logos

Email header Canva template

Instagram post Canva template

Instagram story Canva template

Email/Letter Template

Create a generic email template for your project group to use when contacting people in their network. That network could include family members, friends, classmates, professors, colleagues, or like-minded individuals or groups. Spread the message as far and wide as you can!

Dear [recipient’s preferred name],

I hope you’re doing well! [Insert a relevant or personal anecdote].

Even a small donation would help me reach my goal. I plan to use the money to [list out goals in as much detail as possible].

You can make a donation on UT’s crowdfunding site VOLstarter by clicking here [insert URL to campaign page]. Feel free to share my campaign on Facebook and Twitter, too!

Thank you in advance for your support. Please let me know if you have any questions about my VOLstarter campaign, my goal, or [your cause, project, event, etc.].

Sincerely/Much love/Best/etc.,

[Your name]

Phone Call, Voicemail, or Text

The use of phone calls and text messages can be very effective in reaching a personal network of potential donors. Similar to email, create a voicemail script and sample text message to distribute to your VOLstarter group.

Hi, this is [Name]. My phone number is [Number]. As you may have heard, I’m raising money for [cause, project, event, etc.], and I could really use your help. I’ve already raised [amount], but I’m trying to make it to [amount] by [deadline/date]. Even a small donation would help me reach my goal. I plan to use the money to [list out goals briefly]. You can make a donation on UT’s crowdfunding site VOLstarter by going to [say URL to campaign page]. Feel free to call [or text] me if you have questions about my project or how to donate.

Talk to you soon! Bye.

As you may have heard, I’m raising money for [cause, project, event, etc.], and I could really use your help. I’ve already raised [amount], but I’m trying to make it to [amount] by [deadline/date]. You can make a donation on UT’s crowdfunding site VOLstarter by clicking here [insert URL to campaign page]. Thank you!

Sample Communication Plan

1 week before project goes live

Make sure you know a communications representative from your college/unit, and reach out to them to make them aware of your project. They might be able to share about your project on social media or in newsletters. If you don’t know your representative, reach out to the VOLstarter team and we will connect you with the right person!

Personal outreach is KEY. Divide your contact list over the 30-day period so you can tackle it easier.

Day 1: Your project is live!

Share your project on your own social media channels.

Hey everyone! Today starts my #VOLStarter project to raise support for [project] and I need your help! I have 30 days to reach my goal, and every bit counts. Go to [short link] to learn more about this project and donate today!

Start reaching out to your personal contacts based on the schedule you prepared for yourself via email or phone calls.

Day 10: Keep the momentum going!

Continue reaching out to your personal contacts. Remind them that ANY gift, big or small, helps you inch closer to your goal.

Do you know any local businesses or individuals who might be willing to give a larger donation as a matching gift? If so, make sure you thank them publicly as you share about your project, and use the matching gift as motivation for your contacts: “You can have your gift doubled today!”

Day 15: It’s the halfway mark!

Get creative!

Consider posing a challenge to your social media followers, such as: if you can reach $100 more in donations for your project today, you will wear a funny hat around campus all day!
Try the “Pick a Number” fundraiser. Create a poster board with numbers 1-? (you choose!), post a photo online, and ask people to choose a number to donate. Just doing a board with 1-30 could get you $465. And, they are manageable amounts for people to donate.

Don’t forget about your list of contacts. Is there anyone else in your group that can help or add to the list?

Day 30: Last day!

Share one final post on social media and encourage your followers to help you reach your goal.

Do you have any contacts that have not given yet? Consider reaching out to them again and asking them to help you cross the finish line.

Day 31: Time to thank your donors.

Showing personal appreciation to your donors goes a LONG way. The VOLstarter team will send a thank you note on your behalf, but please consider sending a note yourself.

Hi [name]! Now that my VOLstarter project is closed, I wanted to reach out and say thank you for helping me raise $X for [project name]! I can’t wait to use the funds for [purpose]. I am so grateful for how this experience will impact my time as a student at UT Knoxville.