Take the lead and become a team captain!

Thank you for joining us this Stepping Out season! As a team captain, you can play a critical role in raising the funds needed to support patients, raise awareness and ultimately find a cure. Thank you for being a part of this incredible community!

We are looking forward to seeing all of the different teams that are coming to the walk. We can’t wait to see the team shirt designs this year! Please make sure to have your team stop by the Scleroderma Walk Banner so that we can take your picture. The team with the most amount of members will be the ones to cut our ribbon to start the walk!

TOOLS TO USE

Here are a few easy ways you and your team can kickstart your fundraising:

Email/Social Media
Sending emails and posting on social media are great ways to ask for support and start fundraising. Be sure to include a link to donate in your message.

Matching Gifts
Many employers match employees' charitable donations. Ask your HR department if they have a matching gift program and ask your team to do the same.

Your Participant Center
When you log in on your walk's website, you can access your Participant Center. There you can customize your personal page, send email and see your progress.

Community Fundraisers
From car washes to bake sales to coin collection jars, there are hundreds of creative ways to raise money.

Your Network
Make a list of people to reach out to, then craft your message. People you may want to reach out to include:

Family and in-laws
Co-workers and classmates
Business associates, customers and vendors
Companies you patronize (e.g. your dry cleaner or doctor)
Friends on social media

HOW TO RAISE MONEY

Every dollar raised adds up. If every participant nationwide raised just $100, we'd raise $1.6 million for scleroderma research and support. Here are a few tips to get your team started.

INCREASE TEAM MEMBERS. Recruiting team members will increase engagement and donations.

BE SPECIFIC. Asking for a specific amount - such as $10, $25 or $50 - can help people make up their mind to give.

LEAD BY EXAMPLE. Make a personal gift to start things off. That often sets the bar for future gifts.

KEEP IT PERSONAL. Remind people why you're invested in the cause and why their support is important to you.

GO ONLINE. Online donations are, on average, twice the size of those made by cash or check. Include a link to donate with every message to make giving easy.

SAY THANK YOU. There's a rule in the fundraising world - ask once, thank twice. Showing appreciation is key to keeping people involved.

Good luck with your fundraising and thank you again for your dedication to our mission. We can't wait to see what we can do together to help those affected by scleroderma!