Thank you for registering for the HiTOPS Princeton Half Marathon AND for considering creating a fundraiser for HiTOPS. We want to work with you step-by-step to make things as simple as possible and to ensure your success in fundraising! We are here for you!
We’ve developed this Fundraising Tool Kit to help you achieve your fundraising goal. Expand each section to learn more on each topic. We also offer personalized assistance. Don’t hesitate to reach out! Judy Walker is available for help via email at jwalker@hitops.org.
Why HiTOPS? Learn about HiTOPS’ work and mission!
Learn about HiTOPS work!
HiTOPS empowers young people with sex education, social support and communities that affirm them. Now more than ever, we believe that every young person has the right to be at home in their bodies, celebrated for who they are and love, and have consensual, healthy relationships.
Our youth informed and medically accurate programs are designed for a variety of audiences including
- Schools – HiTOPS engages entire school communities for multi-year programs, teacher training, and short-term consulting.
- LGBT+ youth and parents of trans young people
- Adult in the business world as well as community groups and families
- Teens seeking to become leaders among their peers
Last year HiTOPS provided sexual health-related education and trainings, including SOGIE (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression) to:
- 1,000+ students from pre-K through grade 12
- staff people at corporations and businesses
- 250+ education professionals
HiTOPS offers a wide range of support for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults, as well as their parents and guardians. Last year we:
- Held support group meetings involving more than 360 youth and 195 parents
- Welcomed 250 folks to the 8th Annual Trans Youth Forum
- Hosted 5,000 messages on our online communications tool
- Delivered gender-affirming clothing and accessories from The Closet to 60 young folks
The work we do is vital and can dramatically improve the lives of young people. Your support makes it possible!
How Do I Set up My Fundraiser?
How do I set up my personal fundraising page in Run Sign Up?
Run Sign Up does most of the work for you during registration, but…
What do I do if I’m having a problem?
Contact Judy at HiTOPS. You can email her at jwalker@hitops.org. She’ll be in touch ASAP to answer questions or set up a call.
I didn’t create a fundraiser when I registered, but I want to create one. Can I do this?
Absolutely! Use this link: Create Your Fundraiser
Can I accept checks?
Yes! You will need to mail them to 300 Witherspoon St, Suite 204, Princeton, NJ 08542, and make sure to let us know to apply them to your fundraiser. We will make sure it gets added to your total help you reach your goal.
Will I get a receipt for my donation? It is tax-deductible?
All gifts receive a receipt and are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. You will get an immediate receipt for your donation from Run Sign Up. You and your supporters will also receive acknowledgments from HiTOPS for any gifts received.
Can I donate to HiTOPS through my Donor Advised Fund (DAF)?
Absolutely! All you’d need is:
HiTOPS
300 Witherspoon St, Suite 204
Princeton, NJ 08542
EIN: 223486441
Will you accept a matching gift from my donor’s company?
Absolutely. Forward the paperwork to HiTOPS and we’ll take care of the rest! Contact Judy at jwalker@hitops.org.
Set Your Goal! How much do you want to raise?
We hope you will set a goal that is ambitious but achievable.
We advise you to set a goal that is above the minimum suggested amount of $250, but not too high.
2023 fundraising rewards include a registration refund, a $50 Gift Card to Fleet Feet and/or a full zip HiTOPS Princeton Half Hoodie. Participants who raise $500 or more will be invited to attend a running information session with Dr. Lavine (read more here).
- RAISE $250 – CHOOSE ONE PRIZE
- RAISE $500 – CHOOSE TWO PRIZES
- RAISE $1000 – RECEIVE ALL THREE PRIZES
The more money you raise, the more cool HiTOPS swag you’ll receive!
Plus, you can always raise your goal if you reach it too easily!
Personalize Your Fundraising Page!
Customize your Run Sign Up fundraising page so that your potential supporters will be excited to support you!
Upload a photo or two. Explain why you are choosing to fundraise for HiTOPS. Explain why HiTOPS mission is important to you. Let your supporters know that you share HiTOPS’ vision for an affirming community for all youth!
Contact Judy at HiTOPS (jwalker@hitops.org) to discuss if you want a thought partner in personalizing your page!
Launch Your Fundraiser!
Become your own first donor!
Reach out to your closest family and friends. Who are the folks most likely to support you?
Once you have a few donations, reach out to a wider circle. Other people are more likely to donate to your page when they see someone has already contributed.
Remember to think about whose efforts have you supported in the past!
You can use email, social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn), snail-mail, text, phone calls. You know your circles better than anyone does, so follow your gut. If a one-line text is going to work, go ahead and do that. If a longer personal message is better, that’s great!
Begin with Email!
Share your story with your email contacts and let them know you are Running for Good!
Explain to your friends why HiTOPS matters to you. This is probably the most important element of your message. Need inspiration? You can use some of the language that appears on your Run Sign Up personal fundraising page.
Remember to include the direct link to your fundraising page so your donors can easily make their contributions.
Go public! Go social!
Use your social media channels to spread the word!
Social media makes it simple to connect and ask for donations. The most important thing when it comes to asking for support is to keep your “ask” heartfelt. If you let your personality shine through, your social media efforts are sure to bring excellent results.
Share your Fundraiser Link on Facebook, in your Instagram Bio, and on Twitter. Make TikToks of your training. Put your link to your fundraising page in all your social media bios. This will make it easy for your network to donate.
Plus, Run Sign Up makes it super easy to link your fundraiser to a Facebook Fundraiser. Once linked, any donations received will automatically be applied to your fundraiser! Need help – click here!
In your posts, share your passion for the event and the HiTOPS mission. If your followers understand why this event is so important to you, they’re more likely to help. Did sex ed make a difference in your life? Are you connected to LGBTQ+ youth who would benefit from support or from a more affirming culture? Are you a HiTOPS alum?
Post on multiple platforms: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter… and be sure to tag HiTOPS and use our hashtags!!
Hashtags: #PrincetonHalf #HiTOPS #HiTOPSHalfMarathon #HiTOPShalf #RunPrinceton
Facebook Handles: @HiTOPSPrinceton @PrincetonHalfMarathon
Twitter Handles: @HiTOPSinc @PrincetonHalf
Instagram Handles: @hitops_princeton @princetonhalf
You got a donation! Now what?!
Thank your donors! You can thank donors via snail mail, email, and on social media if appropriate. HiTOPS will send every donor a thank-you letter with a personal note, but your thanks will mean the most!
Post a cute graphic on their Facebook page and use the HiTOPS handles and hashtags. Post an Instagram story thanking them! Tweet them with your thanks!
Keep your supporters posted on your efforts!