Customize your Page
Login to your Participant Centre to personalize your fundraising page - it will make all the difference! Add a photo and share your “why” for fundraising and participating in Tour de Bleu. If you’re comfortable, share a bit about your experience and personal connection to neurodegenerative diseases and neuroregeneration and why you’re passionate about supporting the research being done at UHN’s Krembil Brain Institute on brain and spine disorders. Learning about the impact that this research may have on you, and understanding why you’re passionate about supporting UHN’s Krembil Brain Institute, will motivate others to donate.
Personal gift
Make a personal donation to your page and lead by example. When your friends, family, and coworkers see that you are committed to the cause, they'll be more likely to donate too. They may even consider matching the amount of your personal gift!
First donation
If you haven't already, ask for your first donation today! Asking someone to support your fundraising page gives people the opportunity to help turn health care hope into action. And the sooner you start, the easier it will be to create the greatest impact possible with your fundraising. If you need some help getting started, check out our sample email templates here.
Please note that all participants must have raised a minimum of $5 in order to send emails through the Participant Centre due to changes with our website provider. As an alternative to sending through the Participant Centre, you can copy and paste the templates linked here and send as a normal email.
Ask for a specific amount
People may not know how much to give, so request a specific amount, like $100, $500, or even $1,000. Or, if you have made a personal gift, you could share this and ask the people in your network to match the amount of your personal gift.
Cast a wide net
Asking your family, friends, and work colleagues is a great place to start, but don’t forget the other people in your life - you never know who may want to help. Reach out to other connections such as your faith leaders, community centres, or business associations. Talk about your fundraising with your child’s teachers, coaches, or other parents, your dentist, your hairdresser…you get the idea!
Take it social
Social media is a great way to reach a wide audience - people who use social media raise 40% more than those who don’t! Share the link to your personal page online and let your friends know why you’re fundraising for Tour de Bleu in support of research in neurodegenerative diseases and neuroregeneration at UHN. Take a quick selfie or video and share your progress. You can also use social media to thank donors for their support. Don’t forget to tag @uhn.foundation
Ask, and ask again
It’s okay to follow up with people who haven’t responded - sometimes people need a reminder! Send emails, make phone calls, or text your family and friends to ask that they support you by donating to your fundraising page. Tell your friends about your fundraising efforts and mention it to colleagues at work when you see them in person.
Email signature
Add a link to your personal page in your email signatures for your work and your personal email addresses. Include a short sentence explaining that you’re participating in Tour de Bleu and encouraging people to donate in support of research in neurodegenerative diseases and neuroregeneration at UHN.
Get Creative
There are so many fun and different ways that you can fundraise! Having a bake sale, garage sale, used book sale, or hosting a trivia night are all great ways to supplement your team or individual fundraising efforts. Any special talents or skills that you have may also inspire you and/or your team to get creative.
Matching gift program
Take advantage of your employer’s matching gift program - many employers offer this. Contact your HR department to see if your organization will match your fundraising initiatives.
Pat yourself on the back
Fundraising can be hard work. You should be proud of your dedication to raising money and helping us fund research in neurodegenerative diseases and neuroregeneration at UHN’s Krembil Brain Institute. By supporting UHN’s Krembil Brain Institute’s relentless pursuit of precision care and cures for brain disease, you are helping play a vital role in transforming neurological care. You are helping fuel life-changing discoveries and bringing advanced treatments to patients who need them today and tomorrow.
Looking for further fundraising support?
Please contact Laura Cheng at
647-984-4366 or laura.cheng@uhnfoundation.ca.
© UHN Foundation, all rights reserved.
Registered Canadian Charitable Organization Number: 12386 4068 RR0001.
