the NeuRA blog

 With over 300 researchers, clinicians and support staff, spread across 30 research groups, each led by a senior clinical or scientific investigator, NeuRA is tackling some of the biggest challenges to our health, our lives, and our quality of life.

Today, we stand at the threshold of a number of significant advancements, which will shape our pathways of discovery in Neuroscience over the coming years. ‘Discovery’ is not just a word associated with our quest to explore the brain, it is also the mantra we live and breathe at NeuRA.

Your fundraising helps further our goal to ‘Discover, Conquer and Cure,’ diseases like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, dementia, schizophrenia, and many other conditions affecting the mind and spinal cord 

If you want to make a difference, run the Blackmores Sydney Running Festival 2018 for NeuRA!

Top Tips

1. START A Facebook/Twitter/LinkedIn/Instagram CAMPAIGN Include your story & photos and update your status regularly until you’ve reached your target.

2.  ASK Don’t just rely on social media – email a link to your fundraising webpage to everyone you know. You might be surprised by who donates. (Studies show that most people who donate, do so because they’re asked!)

3. ASK AGAIN Don’t be afraid to email more than once! Many people intend to donate and just need a reminder. Consider sending a few updates on how your preparation or training is going (and always include a link to your fundraising webpage). Donation flow actually tends to increase in the final days leading up to an event – and often continues afterwards as well. (Consider a celebratory follow-up email sharing your results and offering one final opportunity to donate.)

4. SET UP AN EVENT Host a trivia night, a bake sale, a morning tea or a BBQ at your local Bunnings. These are just a few small event ideas that are fun and fairly easy to organise.

5. TELL YOUR STORY People will want to give because they care about you. Share the story about why you’re participating in the event as well as the reason you’re supporting the organisation you’ve chosen. Know what your organisation does and include a link to its website. Personalise your fundraising page, post photos and update your blog (if you’ve got one).

6. SET THE BAR Kick start your fundraiser by donating to yourself. Others will see this and follow suit. Also line up your first four or five donors and get them to donate early. This gets the ball rolling and illustrates sample donation amounts.

7. TARGET The majority of fundraisers often meet or exceed their original targets! Set your target based on information rather than guesswork. Consider the size and giving capacity of your network, get advice from the organisation you’re supporting, and research to see what people participating in past events or similar events have raised. When possible, link your target to one or two illustrations of what that amount of money would mean for the charity you’re supporting (ask the organisation for examples)

8. BE SPECIFIC Let your donors know what your fundraising goal is and how much time you have to meet it. Suggest giving levels and provide a deadline.

9. ASK YOUR BOSS Ask your employer to make a donation. Some companies even have a donation-matching program – ask if your employer has one

10. DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTABLE Remind your supporters that donations are tax deductible – this may encourage people to give more.