Make sure you customize your personal fundraising page. Tell people why you're participating, add pictures, share your story! Use this step-by-step instructions document linked below to help you out! 

• How to Personalize Your Fundraising Page 

Letters and emails are a highly effective and efficient fundraising method! In 2022, 80% of a candidate team's total fundraising came from the letter writing campaign and personal asks!

• Each candidate/co-candidate needs to send at least 75 letters in order to achieve Hall of Fame status (letters and contact lists are December 6th, 2024. 

• Team members are encouraged to participate in the letter writing campaign

• Some people may not have a computer (gasp!) OR just LOVE mail so send them a letter with a PERSONAL note from you!

Use these resources for your letter writing campaign:

• Click the link below to download your contact tracker: 

  • • 1. 1. • Contact Tracker 

            • this Excel document MUST be used when participating in the letter writing campaign. Do not alter the layout of the tracker. You cannot delete, hide or add any columns.

  • Tips to building a strong contact list:

    • Plan ahead and collect phone numbers, email addresses, and mailing addresses WELL BEFORE the campaign kicks off - schedule at least 30 minutes a week with your parents to work on your list.

    • Brainstorm all of the people you plan to send emails, letters, phone calls, texts, etc. using the documents linked in the folder below:

      1. 1. • • • Brainstorming Tools Folder 

• Letter templates - you are welcomed and encouraged to use one of the templates below when crafting your letter. Just copy, paste, and customize and you're good to go! 

  • • 1. 1. • Candidate Letter Template

            • Team Member Letter Template

• Make sure you include information on the Mission Pillar you and your team are running under. Click on the link below for mission pillar snippets to use!

  • • 1. 1. • Mission Pillar Snippets

• Be sure to review the Letter Writing Tips Tricks document below to make sure your letter is ready to go!

  • • 1. 1. • Letter Writing Tips & Tricks

  • Click the link below to submit your final letters and address list

    • 1. 1. • 2025 Pittsburgh Student Visionaries Letter & Address List Submission Form

Don't know how to start or what to write? Never fear because we have templates for every occasion!

Pre-kickoff email - click on the links below for pre-kickoff email templates to let friends and family know you're participating and when they can plan to donate

• Candidate Pre-Kickoff Template

• Team Member Pre-Kickoff Template

Day of kickoff email - click on the links below for email template to use the day the campaign kicks off!

• Candidate Day of Kickoff Template

• Team Member Day of Kickoff Template

During campaign email - click on the links below for during campaign email templates to remind friends and family it's time to donate and support your campaign!

• Candidate During Campaign Template

• Team Member During Campaign Template

World Cancer Day email - click on the links below for email templates to use on World Cancer Day, February 4

• World Cancer Day Email Template- Candidates & Team Members

• World Cancer Day Images

Final Push emails - click on the links below for email templates to use the last few days of the campaign for that great final push before Grand Finale - COMING SOON!

In-Kind opportunities are available for the Grand Finale. They are first come, first served. Upon confirmation, in-kind credit will be applied to your fundraising. Only 10% of your total fundraising can be from in-kind credit. Click on the links below for more information on in-kind opportunities and the 2025 in-kind donation commitment form.

• 2025 In-Kind Opportunities Document

• 2025 In-Kind Donation Commitment Form

Thinking about doing a fundraiser event during your campaign? Keep in mind that only around 1% of total fundraising comes from DIY events. Although events are fun, they can be time consuming and costly. Check out the tips & tricks below to make sure your event is a success!

• Start Early - you can start planning your events as soon as you sign on

• Form a team to handle events - Delegate!

• Develop a written plan outlining costs, deadlines, advertising strategies & possible sponsors/donors

• Events can be expensive, work to secure in-kind donations for venue, food and drinks before sending out invitations

• Plan ahead - you need to allow time to find a location, solicit donors, publicize and more! Since this is a 7-week campaign, organize events with a short lead-time and start organizing now

• Know your audience - think about who you want to attend your event and how you can get the word out to those people. *Adult based events are the most successful*

• If appropriate, invite an Honored Hero to attend. Contact LLS staff to extend an invitation

• Combine fundraising methods at your events. For instance, if you have a dinner party, also have a door prize drawing, and or/offer a few auction items

• Send a thank you to all of your supporters. Any sponsor or supporter should receive recognition at the event and written acknowledgement of their donation after the event or as you receive the donation

Need fundraising event ideas? Click on the link below for some DIY fundraising event ideas to get your ideas rolling!

• Menu of Fundraising Ideas