You can make a difference and have fun at the same time! Sign up now to start your fundraising. We make it easy for you. You'll have your own personalized webpage to give to your friends and family and even strangers, where they can easily and securely donate on-line.
Then plan on dancing at Jane Warner Plaza at Castro & Market in San Francisco for up to three hours on Saturday, August 17. Unable to dance? No problem. You can play a supporting role. Have other plans on August 17? Again, no problem. Just make up the time any Sunday or Thursday at Sundance Saloon. There's no pressure and there's no pain. It's all about contributing to the greater community in any way we can.
To get started, just click on the "Set Up My Personal Page" button. Then follow the Sign-Up Instructions below. It takes two minutes.
please read the instructions, especially about the "Title"
Sign-Up Instructions
1. COMPLETE THE "START A FUNDRAISER" FORM
Access the form here:
please read the instructions, especially about the "Title"
Enter your name and e-mail address.
We recommend that you simply use your name as the title. Keep it short. "Country Dance-A-Thon" will automatically be displayed next to your title, so you don't need to reference this.
Write your own brief description, or copy the following:
On Saturday, August 17, I will be joining many others two-stepping and line dancing for three hours for charity at Jane Warner Plaza (Castro and Market Streets) in San Francisco. I am proud to support two deserving organizations, the PRC and the Sundance Association. Please help me reach my goal of $1,000. I welcome any donation, large or small.
If you enter nothing here, we will paste in this standard text for you.
We recommend entering $1000 here, but pick any amount you wish.
Make sure "Country Dance-A-Thon 2019" is selected.
Upload a photo, if you wish. This will be framed in a small circle, so an image of your face centered in the photo works best. You can add or change your photo later.
Click on the green button to process your form.
You're done! Go to your personal webpage and check it out.
2. SET UP YOUR ADMIN PAGE
This is optional, but highly recommended. By setting up your admin page, you will be able to track your donations and make edits to your personal fundraising page. Start by clicking on this button:
Enter the e-mail address you used to create your personal fundraising page. You'll set up your password. Then go to your fundraising page and Log In (upper right) to view your dashboard.
Simply refer folks to your personal fundraising page. Send e-mails with the link, put it on your Facebook page, and write your personal fundraising web address down on a card and hand it out. Make sure donations are made through your personal page so you get credit for the donation!
How do I collect donations by check?
You can accept checks, payable to "The Sundance Association." Include with each check a note with
the donor name
donor e-mail and postal address (for acknowledgment purposes)
and participant sponsored (your name!).
Checks can be mailed to:
The Sundance Association
ATTN: Country Dance-a-Thon
2261 Market St., PMB 225
San Francisco, CA 94114
(Or you can give checks to us while at Sundance Saloon.)
Why can't I solicit donations at Sundance Saloon?
As we are expecting dozens of participants we don't want our dancers to be overwhelmed with soliciations at Sundance Saloon when they are there to have fun and dance! But don't despair: we will create designated times where Sundance Saloon attendees can donate to their participant(s) of choice. And of course you are welcome to contact your Sundance friends outside of the walls of Sundance Saloon. Most of all, think of this as an opportunity to reach outside of the Sundance community as an untapped source of fundraising.
How will folks know I am a participant?
Mostly you'll need to tell them! Your name will be listed on our Dance-A-Thon web page. And we will be ordering colorful Dance-a-Thon buttons you can wear while at Sundance Saloon.
What is the minimum amount I need to raise?
As of now there is no minimum amount, but we may create a minimum fundraising amount in the future for you to be eligible for any benefits and prizes.
Do I really have to dance for three hours non-stop?
While it would be fun to challenge yourself and participate in the spirit of the event, we won't require that you dance the full three hours. You are welcome to dance as much or as little as your like. In the past we have had participants who raised a lot of money but weren't able to dance at the Dance-A-Thon at all. It's the spirit that counts!
Who are the beneficiaries of the Country Dance-a-Thon?
• PRCwas formed by the merger of Positive Resource Center, AIDS Emergency Fund, and Baker Places to provide integrated legal, social, and health services for over 5,000 clients per year, helping those affected by HIV/AIDS, substance use, or mental health issues realize their best selves by providing the support and services they need to reclaim their lives.
Services include emergency financial assistance for short-term security; legal representation for access to basic income and healthcare benefits; and residential treatment, supportive housing, and employment training for longer-term social rehabilitation.
• The Sundance Association provides country-western dance instruction and events geared towards the LGBT community. As an all-volunteer and community-supported nonprofit organization, the Sundance Association fosters individual growth and passion, encourages volunteerism and philanthropic giving, and strives to create an inclusive and welcoming community. The Sundance Association raises thousands of dollars annually for other charity organizations. Part of the funds will be earmarked for the performance group, the Sundance Bandits.
All donations are 100% tax-deductible to the maximum extent allowed by law.
What are the administrative expenses of the Country Dance-a-Thon?
We estimate the administrative expenses of the Country Dance-a-Thon will be about 6%. This means that 94% of every dollar raised goes directly to our beneficiaries. This is an excellent return for any fundraising event! Our largest administrative expenses come from our partnership with the on-line fundraising site, Donately, amounting to 2% of proceeds collected on-line, and the standard credit card processing fee of 2.2%. While this may seem like a large amount, this is signficantly less than most other reputable nonprofit collection services.
Participant Hints
Here are some ideas that participants have shared with us about the Country Dance-a-Thon. If you have any great ideas you'd like us to add, let us know at danceathon@sundancesaloon.org.
Important reminder: We ask that you do not solicit donations at Sundance Saloon, except in designated locations at designated times. This is out of courtesy for our patrons who would otherwise be inundated with requests.
Some people have expressed reluctance to ask people to sponsor them. Remember that you're just ASKING people to sponsor you - not "strong-arming" them. It's really OK to ask as long as you are gracious and understanding if they don't want to sponsor you.
Rather than send one group e-mail to everyone together, take the time to send a separate, personal e-mail to each person or couple. You may wish to have variations of your letter to send to different people. Or, you could personalize a form letter by including some personalized introductory and closing remarks.
The more dancers participating in the Dance-A-Thon the more fun, and more funds we'll raise! Encourage your friends to sign up and participate as well! There is no cost to join.
It is OK if you want to participate but are not able to dance for the full three hours, or don't know any line dances, or can't dance at all. One participant has even said in his solicitation letter "I might not physically dance but my dancing spirit will be all over the dance floor!"
Begin asking for donations as soon as possible! You will definitely raise more money if you solicit contributions now rather than wait until just before the Dance-a-Thon.
Be sure to follow up with a written thank you note to each sponsor, whether e-mail or snail mail.
Sample Solicitation Letters
THE STANDARD LETTER
Dear Lady Gaga,
I am very excited to be participating in the Country Dance-a-Thon on August 17 to raise money benefitting the PRC (provides essential services for those affected by HIV/AIDS, substance use, and/or mental health issues) and The Sundance Association. I am writing to see if you might sponsor me.
Sponsoring me is very easy. You can go directly to my sponsor page at [insert your personal page address here] and click on "DONATE" to make a credit card donation. Or you can send a check by postal mail.
These organizations do great things and are very worthy causes. I hope you'll sponsor me - any amount makes a difference.
Thank you very much!
Taylor Swift
THE EXTENDED LETTER
Dear Barack,
I am very proud to be participating in the Country Dance-A-Thon on August 17 to raise money benefitting the PRC and The Sundance Association. I am writing to see if you might sponsor me.
Last year I raised [$XXX] and I have set a personal goal for this year of [$XXXX]. I am hopeful that I can achieve that goal (with your support of course!).
The PRC helps those affected by HIV/AIDS, substance use, or mental health issues with a broad range of services including emergency financial assistance for short-term security; legal representation for access to basic income and healthcare benefits; and residential treatment, supportive housing, and employment training for longer-term social rehabilitation.
The Sundance Association provides country-western dance instruction and events for the LGBT community and its friends. The Sundance Association fosters individual growth and passion, encourages volunteerism and philanthropic giving, strives to create an inclusive and welcoming community, and raises thousands of dollars annually for other charity organizations.
These organizations do great things and are very worthy causes. I hope you'll sponsor me - any amount makes a difference.
Sponsoring me is easy. You can go directly to my sponsor page at [insert your personal page address here] and click on "DONATE" to make a credit card donation. Or you can send a check by postal mail.
Thank you so much!
Michelle
THE BRIEF LETTER
HEY! I'm participating in the Country Dance-A-Thon on August 17 which benefits PRC and the Sundance Association.
Sponsoring me is very easy - follow this link to my personal fundraising page and remember - ANY contribution makes a difference! [insert your personal page address here]
