Last month, as dozens of chapters hosted their March to College Day for PACE mentee students, NSCS launched the “A Million Pennies. A Million Lives.” campaign. The goal of the campaign is to raise one million pennies, or $10,000 by April 30th – NSCS’ Founder’s Day – to grow NSCS programs like PACE and scholarships for members.
For almost 20 years, NSCS has provided important resources to high-achieving college students like scholarships, leadership development opportunities, and a vast network of motivated peers. In 1996, NSCS started the Planning to Achieve Collegiate Excellence (PACE) program, which then also provided members with the opportunity to give back in their surrounding communities by mentoring younger, underserved students. Since then, NSCS members have mentored over 30,000 students, encouraging them to pursue their dreams of a college degree.
Since last month’s launch, everyone is getting involved! Last week, all 300+ NSCS chapters were invited to enter a challenge and join the campaign as a team and fundraise. Given incentives like free t-shirts, registration waivers to this summer’s Leadership Summit, and even induction catering, NSCS chapters have taken the challenge head-on.
Even advisors are joining the challenge! Eastern Kentucky University advisor, Jonathan Gore, started a fundraising team the day the challenge was announced and has raised over $200 in the first 12 hours of starting his effort. When asked how he did it, Gore responded, “My secret is to send it to as many people as I can, including friends, family and coworkers. I also use email, Facebook and Twitter as my primary means for getting the word out. One other thing was I put in the first donation to model it for others (being a social psychologist, I knew this would work!).”
Other chapters have followed suit and many are already achieving great levels. (It doesn’t hurt that NSCS implemented a leader board to infuse a little healthy competition!) Some have even set goals for their chapter that are above prize levels, and we’re excited by the ambition!
To help our chapters get started and help us meet our goal of reaching $10,000 by April 30th, I’m sharing some fun ideas to kick start you fundraising efforts. Try one or two, or come up with your own way to spread the word, and help NSCS raise a million pennies to touch a million lives!
To get started, create an NSCS chapter team page on Razoo.com.
- Follow EKU Advisor Jon Gore’s advice and share your team page and mission with as “many people as you can – friends, family, and coworkers, using email, Facebook, Twitter” and any other means you communicate with.
- Have a penny/change jar at all your remaining chapter events to get others to donate.
- Reach out to area businesses to see if they will match the funds you raise and support your chapter.
- Create a contest amongst your chapter members to see who can either raise the most funds or collect the most donations. Use simple incentives like movie tickets or NSCS swag.