Tips & Frequently Asked Questions
Tips
Creating a fundraising page is easy, but reaching your goal may be bit more challenging. Below are some tips to make your fundraising experience a rewarding one.
Who to ask
You know a lot of people – probably more than you think! So reach out to those people – friends, family and colleagues alike – and ask them to help you reach your goal.
How to ask
The Champion Centre makes it easy to email your contacts to tell them about your fundraising page. You can also ask over the phone, in person or using social media sites – whatever works best for you! You can customize the URL for your webpage so friends and family can easily find their way to making a gift.
How can I make my fundraising more personal
Make sure you update your personal fundraising page to included details on why you are inspired to fundraise for the animals of the Ontario SPCA. Adding a picture or story on your fundraising page will make it more personal.
Keep it going!
Like anything, fundraising has its ups and downs. Help maintain momentum for your fundraising page by talking about it to others, posting about it on Facebook or Twitter, including it in your email signature, and sending out progress emails from the Champion Centre. Let everyone know your fundraising goal and how close you are to achieving it. And don’t be scared to ask again – some people forget to donate and need a reminder!
Say thank you
Just as you would for a real present, make sure to say thanks for every donation you get on your fundraising page. No matter the size of the gift, make sure the donor knows you appreciate their support. In addition to the automatic email we will send with their tax receipt, you can use the Champion Centre to send thank you emails directly to those who donated online.
FAQs
What is Life’s Milestones Tribute Centre?
Life’s Milestones Tribute Centre is the hub for all types of tribute and memorial giving. From the hub you can:
- Make a gift and send an ecard or request a physical card be mailed on your behalf
- Create a fundraising page to honour or memorialize a person
- Create a memorial page to honour or memorialize a pet
- Create a fundraising page to celebrate an event or mark a milestone
- Make a gift in lieu of wedding or party favours
What type of cards are available to announce my gift?
You can choose from an ecard, PDF card you can print and mail yourself, or you can request that a card be mailed on your behalf.
I’m having a wedding or party and want to make a large gift in lieu of favours. Is that possible?
Yes, visit this webpage to make your gift. After we have received your donation, you will be provided with a link to download a favour tent-card for your guests. For special considerations, please please call 1-888-668-7722, x 321 or email tribute@ontariospca.ca. Be sure to reference "Special Occasion Favours" in your subject line.
What are Fundraising Pages?
Fundraising Pages are an opportunity for raise money for the Ontario SPCA by reaching out to your own network on our behalf. You can choose from a page to honour a person or pet, a memorial page, or a celebration page.
What is the difference between the types of fundraising pages?
People:
- Tribute (Honorary) – A page where you can honour a loved one and collect donations.
- Memorial – A page where you can memorialize someone who has recently passed and collect donations.
- ‘Wedding, Birthday or Special Event’ page (Personal) – A page where you can announce a special event and collect donations in lieu of gifts.
Pets:
- ‘I love my pet’ page (Honorary) – A page to honour a furry or feathered friend!
- Rainbow Bridge Pet Memorials – Coming soon!
- ‘Adoption, Birthday or Milestone’ page (Personal) – A page where you can announce a special milestone in your pet’s life and collect donations to help other animals in our care!
Where do the funds raised go?
All funds donated through Life’s Milestones Tribute Centre go directly into Ontario SPCA programs investigating complaints of animal abuse, rescuing animals from abuse and neglect, and caring for animals until they find their forever homes.
Who can I contact for help?
If you should need help, please contact us at tribute@ospca.on.ca or call 1-888-668-7722, x321.
Can I set up more than one page?
You can set up as many fundraising pages as you like. We recommend having a separate page for each fundraising milestone or event, so you can create a goal and include information about each effort.
Can I use my webpage to sell goods or services like tickets to an event, items, etc?
All donations submitted through your webpage are treated as 100% tax deductible. You may not offer any goods or services in exchange for a gift to your page as this will limit or preclude the tax deductibility of the gift.
Where do I login to the Champion Centre?
You can login to the Champion Center from the homepage of this site or any of the links on this page. If you're already logged in, you will be directed to the Champion Centre Dashboard.
How do I send emails out to my contacts?
From your Champion Centre, click on the “Email” tab. From here you can upload your address book, draft your emails and send them out to your contacts. There are even sample emails and suggested language that you can start with.
