P2P Champion Fundraising Page
Information, timeline, and templates to help you be a successful P2P Champion!
Reach out to Mariel Wettick, Events & Fundraising Manager at: mwettick@bellwetherhousing.org or 206-623-0448 with any questions.
THANK YOU!
Thank you for being a Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Champion! Many Bellwether residents worked in industries such as food services, teaching, and hospitality. These jobs were decimated during the pandemic, and our residents are still recovering. By becoming a P2P Champion, you are actively showing up for Bellwether’s residents and helping them receive support to get back on their feet. By inviting others to register and donate to our 11th Annual Closer to Home Virtual Event, you help create access to opportunity, community, and stability.
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Below, you will find information and materials to help you set up your P2P page, invite friends and colleagues, and follow up with your networks.
WHAT IS A P2P PAGE?
A P2P Page is an online fundraising page that you set up on behalf of yourself or your company. Here is an example page. While we aren't gathering in person this year, this is a virtual way to encourage support from your networks. Our P2P hosts did an incredible job last year, raising over $140,000 for affordable housing! Your support in this process is much appreciated.
HOW DO I CREATE A P2P PAGE?
You can create a P2P Page in a few simple steps. Follow along below. Please note - this page is not mobile optimized, for best access view this on a desktop.
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1. Head over to the Create a Fundraiser page.
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2. Choose a name that best represents who you are fundraising on behalf of - could be you personally or your company. Enter your email and a password. This allows you to login to the backend of your page, where you can personalize your page. See image for an example:
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3. You will then be navigated to a page that displays your account details and allows you to personalize your page. It will look like this:​
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4. There are sections that you can customize. I have started customizing my P2P Page in the above image. Please customize the following:
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Name on Page: Choose a name that best represents who you are fundraising on behalf of. If you want to add in a fun title as well, please do!
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Add a note: why are you passionate about this campaign? Please write a personal note encouraging your network, peers, family and friends to take part in your fundraising page. Why do you care about Bellwether Housing? What drives you to support affordable housing?
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Your fundraising goal: This is customizable. We encourage you to set a minimum of $2,500, but we appreciate goals of any kind.
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Profile Image: Upload an image that represents you. This can be a logo, image of yourself, anything that you want!
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Hero Image: Choose any image you want that works with your page. This can also be a logo, an image of you in front of your favorite Bellwether building, etc.
5. Once you customize these sections, click the “Save” button.
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6. After clicking the “save” button, you will be directed to your published and live page. You will receive an email with a link to log into your page. Make sure to bookmark and save your published fundraising page.
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7. To edit your page in the future, navigate to your P2P page. If you aren’t logged in, click on the log in button in the top right corner. Once logged in, there is a button labeled “Edit Page” in the top right corner – click that button to edit your page. See below for an example.
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8. Once your page is completed, send out the link to your networks and encourage folks to donate or register for the event. You can use the below templates for help.
I CREATED MY P2P PAGE, NOW WHAT?
Once you have created your P2P Page, we ask that you spread the word by reaching out to friends, family, and colleagues to take part in Closer to Home by donating to your page and registering. You can use our templates below to spread the invite. One of the best parts of a virtual event is that folks from far and wide can get involved! The minimum suggested donation is $250.00 but support at any level is much appreciated.
WILL THERE BE VIRTUAL TABLES AT THIS EVENT?
Our event will take place via an online networking tool called Remo. During the event, people will be able to mingle with other guests by clicking around the space and virtually walking up to others. You can encourage your networks to register and find you during the event. This can create a “virtual table” feeling. When people register, they can indicate who they were invited by. We can provide you updates of who is registered and invited by you.
SUGGESTED TIMELINE
SEPTEMBER 15: P2P Page is created and published. Invites to donate and register have gone out to your networks (templates below)
SEPTEMBER 29: Halfway to your fundraising goal.
MONTH OF OCTOBER: Please share out our social media posts or our emails to your networks!
OCTOBER 6: Send out an email, phone call or text to your networks reminding them to register and donate to the event.
OCTOBER 18: Send out another round of reminders if needed.
OCTOBER 20: Send out emails, phone calls or texts reminding your networks to join you at Closer to Home at 12:00PM PST.
OCTOBER 20: After the event, send out thank you communications to your networks.
OUTREACH TEMPLATES
INITIAL EMAIL INVITE:
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Hi [insert name here],
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I’m so excited to reach out with news of Bellwether Housing’s yearly fundraising. As you may know, I am a huge supporter of Bellwether Housing, a Seattle based non-profit that develops and manages affordable homes. Bellwether is Seattle’s largest affordable housing provider, with over 3,500 residents in 32 buildings. They have bold visions and are currently building four new apartments that will provide over 750 new homes. [Personalize this message – why do you support Bellwether?]
On Wednesday, October 20th, Bellwether Housing will host its 11th Annual Closer to Home Virtual Event at 12PM. The event will be held on a mingling platform, where you will have the opportunity to mingle with fellow guests and watch incredible videos about Bellwether Housing’s community. This is an exciting opportunity to get more involved in affordable housing, learn about Bellwether’s mission, and mingle with fellow co-workers, myself, and other Bellwether supporters. You can register here and indicate that you were invited by me.
I am pleased to be supporting this event as a P2P Champion, and I would love if you got involved. I have a P2P (peer-to-peer) Page set up with a goal of [enter fundraising goal]. Help me reach my goal and support affordable housing by donating here! [link your fundraising page]. There is a suggested donation of $250, but support at any level is appreciated.
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Your donations are much appreciated during this time and will go directly towards the care and support of their 3,500 residents. If you are unable to contribute financially, you can still be a part of the event by registering online. The event will be spectacular – you don’t want to miss out!
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If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Thanks so much!
Best,
[Your Name]
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FOLLOW-UP EMAIL:
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Hi [insert name here],
I wanted to reach out and follow up on by below email! I hope you will join me virtually on Wednesday, October 20th to celebrate Bellwether Housing’s 11th Annual Closer to Home Virtual Event. The event will start at 12PM and run for an hour.
I am thrilled to be supporting this event as a P2P Champion, and I hope you will join me in fundraising for Bellwether Housing. Help me reach my goal and support affordable housing by donating here! [link your fundraising page].
The extreme economic distress caused by COVID-19 is still present. Many Bellwether residents lost their jobs in the food industry, teaching, and hospitality. Bellwether is committed to supporting these residents, by helping residents access rental assistance, providing warm meals, and connecting residents to opportunities. Your donations will directly support the economic recovery of Bellwether residents.
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If you are unable to contribute financially, you can still be a part of the event by registering online. The event will feature opportunities to mingle with fellow guests, and multiple videos to watch that highlight the incredible community that makes up Bellwether Housing. You can register for the event here and indicate that you were invited by me.
Many thanks,
[Your Name]
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DAY OF EVENT EMAIL:
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Hi [insert name here],
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Today is the day! I am looking forward to attending Bellwether’s Closer to Home Virtual Event today at 12PM, and I am excited for you to join me virtually! [Link for event will come at a later date].
While watching, I encourage you to donate in support of Bellwether’s critical mission. You can do so through my P2P Page, found here! [link your fundraising page].
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Thank you so much for your support. Every dollar helps Bellwether provide the resources their residents need to continue living safely in their homes. [Customize this – why is their support meaningful to you?]
Thank you,
[Your Name]
THANK YOU EMAIL:
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Dear [first name],
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Thank you for joining me today at Bellwether Housing’s 11th Annual Closer to Home Event. I was very moved by the stories we heard today. I am still reflecting on/feeling inspired by [insert personal reflection].
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I am incredibly proud to be one of the many voices that make up the Bellwether Housing community. It is inspiring to see the community come together and support affordable housing, at a time when housing is more critical than ever. You had a big impact by attending virtually, together we raised over $XXX,XXX and counting to support Bellwether Housing! These funds will help Bellwether’s residents find communities of opportunity through safe and stable housing.
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With gratitude,
[Your name]
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
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Bellwether Housing is Seattle’s largest non-profit provider of affordable housing.
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Bellwether was founded in 1980 by Seattle business and civic leaders concerned about the lack of affordable housing options in the central city for people making lower wages.
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Learn about Bellwether's 40+ years of service by watching an incredible video documenting their history here.
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Bellwether continues to serve working people earning lower wages and also serves people transitioning out of homelessness, families large and small, independent seniors, adults with disabilities, and young people starting their careers. Most households residing in Bellwether homes earn below 60% of the area median income.
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In 2019, Bellwether launched the Building Opportunity, a capital campaign with a goal of raising $9M to build 750 new apartments in 4 new buildings over the next 3 years.
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Bellwether broke ground on three of these new buildings in 2020: Cedar Crossing, The Confluence, and The Rise on Madison, and plans to break ground on the final building, Flourish on Rainier, in July 2021.
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Watch the Cedar Crossing groundbreaking here and The Rise on Madison groundbreaking here.
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Bellwether’s team of Resident Services Coordinators connects tenants in need of support to resources and services that can help them lead independent, healthy lives and remain stably housed in their Bellwether homes.
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All residents have access to our Resident Services Coordinators. This is an opt-in program. Learn more about the incredible work of our RSC's here and here.
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Read our 2020 Annual Report here.
ANY QUESTIONS?
Reach out to Mariel Wettick, Events & Fundraising Manager at:
mwettick@bellwetherhousing.org or 206-623-0448
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This page and links will be updated as needed.