SVT Champion FAQs

Thank you for your interest in being and SVT Champion. This page provides answers to the following questions:

• Where do I set up my fundraising page?
• I've never done this before. How do I get started?
• I fundraised last year. How do I get started?
• How do I personalize my fundraising page?
• What should my personal fundraising goal be?
• Do people have to donate online? Can they send a check?
• If someone donates by check or donor-advised fund, do I get credit on my fundraising page and tally? Is it possible to display their name and donation?
• I sent an email to my contacts but not many people responded. What do I do now?
• I won't be able to watch the livestream on February 16. Should I still fundraise?
• I have a question that's not listed here. Who can I contact for an answer?

   

I've never done this before. How do I get started?

Once you are on the SVT Virtual Benefit Gala page page, scroll down and click the button that says “I Want To Fundraise For This”. 

1. You will be taken to a page that says “Create a Fundraising Page.”
2. Under the "Create Account" section, enter your name and email address and create a password.
3. You will receive an email from Give Lively that asks you to confirm your information. Click on the link provided in that message to re-enter your username and password.
4. This will lead you to a fundraising page template, which you can personalize. To learn more, see "How do I personalize my fundraising page?" below.

I fundraised last year. How do I get started?

Once you are on the SVT Virtual Benefit Gala page page, scroll down and click the line of text that says "or log into your fundraising page". (It appears right below the button that says "I Want To Fundraise For This". See image above.) 

1. ​​​​​​Log in using the email address and password you used last year.
   • If you forgot your password, you will have a chance to reset it. Once you reset your password, go back to the main SVT Virtual Benefit Gala page page and click "Create a Fundraising Page" again to log in.
2. Logging in will lead you to a fundraising page template, which you can personalize. To learn more, see "How do I personalize my fundraising page?" below. 

How do I personalize my fundraising page?

1. In the “Personalize your Page” section, you’ll be asked to write a note about “why you’re passionate about this project.” This note will be displayed on your fundraising page. (See our templates for some ideas.)
2. Enter a fundraising goal (see "What should my personal fundraising goal be"" below).
3. In the Profile Image section, upload a photo of yourself.
4. In the Hero Image section, click on "Default Image" to use the "For the Love of Nature" image.
5. Save the page. You’ll receive another confirmation email from Give Lively, and you can start fundraising!

What should my personal fundraising goal be?

• Aim for a fundraising goal that feels both ambitious and realistic to you (example: $1000).
• Depending on your network of friends, family, and associates, you could opt to challenge people to match your donation (example: "Please join me in donating $100" or whatever amount is right for you).

Do people have to donate online? Can they send a check?

Your fundraising page will make it easy for guests to make a donation online by credit card, but checks and donor-advised fund gifts are also welcome.

• Checks can be mailed to SVT along with a note saying it should be counted toward your fundraising goal. Ask them to mail their checks to SVT, 18 Wolbach Road, Sudbury, MA 01776
• Donor-advised fund gifts can be directed to Sudbury Valley Trustees, and if possible, note "For the Love of Nature" or mention your name as SVT Champion.

If someone donates by check or donor-advised fund, do I get credit on my fundraising page and tally? Is it possible to display their name and donation?

We accept donations by check and donor-advised fund and can count them toward your fundraising goal. As the administrator, Debbie Pullen can add "offline" gifts to your fundraising tally to increase both your fundraising total and number of gifts.

The donation, however, will not display with the donor's name on your page. Only donations that are given directly through your fundraising page will be displayed on your page with the amount and name of the donor (or Anonymous, if the donor prefers).

If you would like to recognize those generous donors on your page, you could opt to recognize them in your "Notes from..." section, such as, "I would like to thank Joe and Jane Smith and Sue and Sharon Jones for their generous donations to help me reach my goal."

I did not get a lot of response to my email. What do I do now?

You may need to send two or three rounds of emails! People are busy and an email can get lost in a crowded inbox. Reminders are often appreciated by folks who want to support you and SVT.

• Send fresh e-mail messages a few days apart. Use slightly different subject lines as way to get attention. 
• If have accounts on Facebook, Instagram, or other social media platforms, these provide a good way to reach your network and remind them of your fundraising goal. Be sure to include a link back to your fundraising page on the SVT Virtual Benefit Gala page.

I won't be able to watch the livestream on February 16. Should I still fundraise?

Yes, even if you are unable to watch the livestream event, you can still fundraise and spread the word for others to tune in!

• The program will be an inspiring illustration of SVT’s impact told through stories of the human connection to nature.
• People can still donate to support local conservation, even if they can't watch the livestream event.
• The program will be recorded and posted on our website so you can watch it at a later date (and share it with others).

I have a question that's not listed here. Who can I contact for an answer?

Contact Debbie Pullen at [email protected] or call 978-443-5588 X123