NAMI Do-It-Your-Way is our peer-to-peer fundraising program offering you total freedom and flexibility. Whether you’re fundraising solo or with friends, in person or online, for NAMI National or your local NAMI State Organization or NAMI Affiliate, we’re here to help you make it meaningful, personal, and impactful. It’s your fundraiser—your way.
Step 1: Pick Your Fundraiser
We’ve made it easier than ever to fundraise your way. You get to decide how, when, and where you want to raise support for mental health. Want to host something online? Go for it. Prefer something in-person with friends, coworkers, or your community group? You got it.
You can host a fundraiser to get people together—or simply add a fundraising component to something you’re already planning.
Here are just a few examples of do-it-your-way fundraising ideas:
- Popular ideas: birthdays, 5Ks, marathons, bake sales, garage sales, dodgeball tournaments, ping pong contests, family reunions, Fourth of July BBQs, fitness challenges
- Streaming: video game marathons, live chats, Twitch charity streams, doing a creative challenge. You can also do a live streaming event supporting NAMI using Tiltify.
- In honor of someone: celebrate the life and legacy of a loved one through a memorial fundraiser
- Special occasions: ask for donations in lieu of gifts for weddings, graduations, baby showers (ask for donations in lieu of gifts)
- Corporate events: end-of-fiscal-year parties, wellness webinars, office competitions
- Unique and creative: unboxing Pokemon cards, video game marathons, backyard fashion shows, comedy nights, art exhibits, theater events themed around mental health.
- Big or small, quirky or classic—anything goes. Just bring your heart and your creativity.
Step 2: Make a Plan
Create a Fundraising Page
NAMI offers personal fundraising pages, which provide an easy way to promote your event and collect donations to NAMI. Your supporters can make donations directly to NAMI, and you can track your progress toward your fundraising goal in real time.
You can create a fundraising page to support NAMI National or to support a local NAMI State Organization or NAMI Affiliate.
Establish Goals
What is your fundraising goal? Setting one will help to motivate you. Think about how your event will raise awareness of mental health and how you can motivate people to participate.
Develop a Timeline
Give yourself enough time to plan a successful event. Reserving a location, getting sponsors and doing publicity takes time. Set deadlines and cross items off a to-do list.
Set a Budget
Consider your expenses. Reserving space and securing a DJ or a caterer can be a significant cost.
Get an estimate of attendance so you can get an appropriate amount of food, decorations, promotional materials, giveaways, etc. The number of people will need to be enough to cover the cost of the event plus provide you with profit for donation. Connect with local businesses and individuals who can donate goods and services to help reduce costs. Be sure to keep track of your donations.
Pick a Location
Find a suitable venue in the community for the size and type of event. Venues such as a JCC, YMCA, town hall, school, or religious buildings might be willing to rent space at little or no cost. Reserve the venue as far in advance as possible.
Consider aspects such as lighting, speakers, tarps, food, security and accessibility and make a back-up plan for bad weather.
In-person events—such as walks, bake sales, or community gatherings—can create a strong sense of connection and community, especially when hosted in familiar places like local parks, schools, or community centers.
Can’t do an in-person event? Online fundraisers are a flexible and impactful alternative. Virtual events like livestreams, online auctions, or social media challenges allow you to reach supporters no matter where they live.
No matter the format, make sure your location (physical or digital) is easy to access, aligns with your goals, and provides a welcoming space for participants to learn about NAMI and support your fundraiser.
Explore Our NAMI Do-It-Your-Way Resources
- Participant Toolkit — NAMI logos, graphics, templates, and resources
- FAQs — find answers to your questions
- Awareness Resources — align your event with key mental health moments
- NAMI Do-It-Your-Way Mobile App — download the mobile app to help you access your fundraiser on the go
Share NAMI
Make sure to share NAMI’s mission and resources during your event. It could be as simple as a shoutout or sharing information about support groups, the NAMI HelpLine, or our website.
Remember, your fundraiser is a chance to raise awareness as well as funds.
Step 3: Get People Involved
Build a team of responsible people who are passionate about your cause. Their help can make putting on an event much easier.
Consider making committees or assigning tasks to people based on their interests or talents. Work with people with skill sets such as graphic design or food service experience.
Create a sponsorship package that will entice local businesses to contribute. Many businesses have budgets for charitable donations and see the benefits of participating in community events.
Have a short speech or “pitch” prepared for potential sponsors. Follow up in person or over the phone with reminders once people agree to participate.
Promoting The Event
Create a guest list that includes networks of people such as family, friends, classmates, coworkers and neighbors.
Making a Facebook Event can be an easy to way to let people know about the event, but not everyone is on Facebook, so think of other options to let people know such as flyers and promotional materials. Email and digital invitations like Evite are also helpful. When publicizing the event, be clear about how important our cause is and how they will be contributing to it.
On The Day Of The Event
The event is here, so now what? To make sure everything goes smoothly, create a checklist for the day.
Arrive early and supervise set up to keep everything on track with your timeline and checklist. Staff and volunteers should know exactly what their tasks are for the day.
After the event, thank attendees, volunteers and sponsors (in addition to thanking them in-person at the event) with emails and personal notes. Track attendees to invite them to future events and send the money you raised to NAMI within 30 days.
The last step is to celebrate! You did a great job organizing an event to show others just how important NAMI is. We can’t thank you enough for all your hard work.
Bonus: Become a NAMI Do-It-Your-Way All Star
When you raise $1,000 or more through your NAMI fundraising page, you’ll be recognized as a NAMI Do-It-Your-Way All Star! As a thank-you, you’ll receive a NAMI Do-It-Your-Way branded quarter-zip sweatshirt or cozy sherpa blanket.
——————-
We can’t wait to see how you’ll Do-It-Your-Way!
Every fundraiser helps move us toward a future where all people affected by mental illness live healthy, fulfilling lives supported by a community that cares.
