Team BCT Pet Champion Tool Kit
Everything you need to help pets in need
In This Toolkit…
The Role of Your Fundraising Committee ........................................................Pg. 2
Fundraising Mindset
Success Begins with Your Mindset ........................................................Pg. 3
How to Focus Fundraising Outside of Work ..........................................Pg. 4
Facebook Posting for Team BCT ............................................................Pg. 5
Creating Your Own Community Fundraising Event ...............................Pg. 6
Fundraising Guidelines (Individual/Hospital/Business) ...................................Pg. 7
Group Event Opportunities .............................................................................Pg. 10
Calendar .........................................................................................................Pg. 11
Useful BCT Information
Talking to Others About BCT – What Do You Say? ................................Pg. 12
Why Is Keeping Pets and People Together So Important ......................Pg. 13
Where Does the Money Go? .................................................................Pg. 14
Team BCT Benefits vs. Cost ...................................................................Pg. 15
Fundraising Page Set Up
Start Fundraising Online in 4 Easy Steps ...............................................Pg. 16
Handling Donations Like a Pro ..............................................................Pg. 17
Sample Letters
Personalizing Communications .............................................................Pg. 18
Sample Introduction and Closing to Local Businesses ...........................Pg. 19
Sample Introduction and Closing to Friends and Family........................Pg. 20
Sample Letter to Last Year’s Contributors…………………………………………..Pg. 21
Timeline ..........................................................................................................Included
Card ................................................................................................................Included
BCT About Us Flyer .........................................................................................Included
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The Role of Your Fundraising Committee Is:
To provide you with the tools and information you need so you can successfully
achieve your fundraising goals.
To offer two or three group events, giving you the opportunity to leverage
personal fundraising efforts with others in a bigger fundraising setting.
To support you with your fundraising efforts by offering ideas and helping you
brainstorm, helping you network, and posting events you are hosting to a shared
calendar.
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Fundraising Success Begins with Your Mindset
Ask yourself “Why”
Why have I
committed to
join Team BCT?
Why am I
supporting Banfield
Charitable Trust?
Why is it
important to me
to be supported
in this journey?
Why do I believe
others would
support BCT?
Once you know your why, remember these things before you ask others to
support you:
Be proud of the fact that you are choosing to support a cause that you believe in.
Asking for financial support from others is not begging…it is a way to help them
accomplish their philanthropic and personal goals….enroll them into your why!
Prepare yourself before you ask…know what motivates them, understand what
connects them to the purpose, and know what you can offer in return for the
support.
There is always a way to connect people to the purpose and mission of the BCT that
will inspire them to give.
It can be as simple as saying “I’m asking you to share in something I believe is
important”
The sooner you start, the easier it gets!
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Focusing Your Fundraising Outside of Work
Fundraising outside of work is easier than it seems. The key is connecting it to your life. Maybe you
love yoga, creating artwork, brewing your own beer….or maybe you’ve been looking for a reason to
clean out the garage. No matter what your situation, there’s an easy way to raise funds in your
community to support Banfield Charitable Trust and keep pets in their loving homes. We’ll get you
started with these 10 ideas…
#1 Dog Wash: Reach out to your local church, or store, or even your neighbors to establish a dog
wash. Make signs to promote it, get family and friends to help out. People who bring their pets can
give a donation in exchange for washing their dog. This is a great way to connect to the purpose of
why you are fundraising. Have materials that share with donors about Banfield Charitable Trust and
be sure to have an extra donations jar.
#2 Benefit Night at a Restaurant: Many restaurants can organize a fundraising benefit night where
a portion of their proceeds will be donated to charity. This is an easy way to get others involved
just by asking them to go and buy dinner at that restaurant on the designated night you are
fundraising. Talk to your favorite restaurant’s manager to find out how you can set up a benefit
night. Be sure you know what the benefit is and what is required of patrons to ensure you can
maximize your fundraising potential.
#3 Dog Walking/Running: You’re already training….why not bring some four legged friends with
you? If you have a dog already, this may already be your training partner, but even they may want
a break. Ask your family, friends, or neighbors if they are interested in donating in exchange for dog
walking/running.
#4 Start Your Own Pay It Forward Campaign: For some, asking your family and friends to help you
spread the word about supporting you is easier than asking them for money. Put your thinking cap
on and find a creative way to start a pay it forward type of campaign with your family and friends
asking them to re-post a Facebook message, or forward an email from you. This is a great way to
enroll people in your “why” and help raise awareness for the amazing work that Banfield Charitable
Trust does.
#5 Garage Sale: Work individually or as a team to set up a garage sale – clean your attic and raise
money for Banfield Charitable Trust at the same time! Ask all of your friends and neighbors to
participate by donating items for sale. Make signs that indicate all proceeds are going to keeps pets
and people together. Ask your local paper to run an ad as their contribution. Place yard signs
throughout the neighborhood to promote.
Tip: Have a straight donation jar visibly displayed at your garage sale “check out.”
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#6 Letter Writing: One of the most simple, yet successful fundraisers you can do. Send letters out to
your friends and family explaining your commitment to helping pets in need, and ask for their
support for the Banfield Charitable Trust mission. In your letter share what your personal goal is and
ask them to help you make it. (A sample letter is included in this kit.)
Tip: Consider sending letters at the time of your birthday, your engagement party, a housewarming
party, etc. and ask friends and family to celebrate your special day by making a donation in lieu of
gifts.
#7 Poker Tournament Party: Set up some tables and snacks and let the bluffing begin. Charge a fee
to join the tournament and winners get donated prizes. Make it an annual event.
Tip: Have a buy-in charge for players who are out of the tournament so they can participate (and
you can double your donations). Have a Losers Lounge with snacks and drinks; don’t forget to take a
moment to tell everyone about Banfield Charitable Trust and why you’re fundraising.
#8 Theme Dinner: Hold a theme dinner party for at least 10 of your friends with a donation of $20
or more per person. Spend just $10 per person on food and you’ve raised $100 in donations. Better
yet, have all of the food donated.
#9 Mystery Wine Raffle: Have a brown bag wine fundraiser. Get nine bottles of inexpensive wine
and one premium. Put them all in brown bags and let guests buy one for a set price. Everyone gets
wine and someone walks away with a fine vintage bottle.
Tip: Ask your wine shop to donate some or all of the bottles or offer you a steep discount.
#10 Boot Camp: Ask your yoga instructor or personal trainer to donate one class per month to keep
pets and people together. Invite your friends to attend a special yoga/boot camp/spinning class
donated by a trainer. Their admission fee payable to Banfield Charitable Trust becomes a donation,
and the trainer gets a chance to build their client base. It’s a win-win for all.
Tip: Have your trainer customize the training
Creating Your Own Community Fundraising Event
Creating an event that the community participates in can be very simple or (depending on your
commitment level) more complex, but there is no denying that getting community involvement
in your fundraising efforts can make achieving your goal – ACHIEVABLE!
Because you are representing Banfield Charitable Trust, we ask that you follow the guidelines
given in this toolkit when organizing a community facing event. These guidelines are created to
help you create and execute an amazing event while extending recognition of BCT as an
organization committed to keeping pets and people together.
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Facebook Posting for TeamBCT
Here are some Facebook post ideas to help generate interest in and support for your fundraising efforts.
Above all else, never forget to take pride in or be shy about what you’re accomplishing!
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Be an ambassador for Banfield Charitable Trust. People are inspired to give because of you but
they’ll feel even better about giving when they learn more about the cause.
o Tip: Share Banfield Charitable Trust’s Facebook posts on your own wall when something
strikes you.
Use photos with your posts
o Running photos
o Photos of you and your pet
o Scenery shots while you’re running can offer subtle reminders about your fundraising
efforts (Check out what I saw on my walk/run today!)
o Post-run celebration photos:
Post thank you messages and tag donors when they’ve made a donation
Include a link to your fundraising page to make it easy for people to give
Ask questions in your post to encourage engagement
Sample posts
Just killed it with a 3 mile run with my teammates. Feeling strong for my run/walk on (DATE)! I’ll feel
even stronger knowing I have your support! Thanks for considering a gift to this worthwhile endeavor.
(link to fundraising page)
I just completed my first 10-mile run today! Will you celebrate with me by donating $10 to help pets in
need? (link to fundraising page)
(share Banfield Charitable Trust Facebook post) This is why I’m raising money for Banfield Charitable
Trust. So inspiring, don’t you think?
Wow! Thank you so much @Name for making a donation on my fundraising page for my upcoming
run/walk to keep pets and people together! You rock!!
Enjoying a Starbuck’s after my run today. The only thing that feels better than this Americano is knowing
that this hard work is benefitting pets in need.
Are you sick of me yet? : ) Just X weeks/days left until my run/walk benefitting pets and struggling pet
owners. If you’ve already donated to my page, thank you! If you haven’t, it’s not too late! (link to page)
Know a dog or cat lover? Ask them to check out @BanfieldCharitableTrust and consider getting involved
in helping pets in need. Banfield Charitable Trust is the only Top 10 pet nonprofit solely working to
prevent the surrender of pets to shelters and keep them in their loving homes. #preventioniskey!
To my family and friends outside Portland: please consider cheering me on virtually by donating to my
page. It will inspire me during my walk/run and help pets in need! (link to fundraising page)
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Fundraising Guidelines
Personal Fundraising Events and Activities
General Public Fundraising Event/Activity
Guidelines
Fundraising activities must always be in
line with the values and principles of
Banfield Charitable Trust.
If you would like any guidance or help
planning your public event, contact a
fundraising mentor early in planning.
Your mentors are always happy to help
you get started.
Letting the fundraising committee know
about your event ahead of time offers
some great benefits. It will be published
on the shared calendar and you’ll have
access to additional resources, such as
templates for creating flyers.
Fundraising mentors should be notified of
any planned public event that will have
an attendance of more than 15 people, so
that it can be added to the shared
calendar.
Advertising your event must be done in a non-invasive manner that is
consistent with the brand and mission of BCT.
Flyers can be created for your event, and templates can be
supplied by BCT for you to customize.
 They MUST be approved by Russ with
BCT before being put on display in any
Banfield location.
 Must have proper logos and be in proper
layout.
Flyers can be put on display, or handed out to
interested individuals. Mass distribution of flyers
(i.e. car windshield or door to door canvassing)
MUST be approved beforehand by the fundraising
committee.
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CTS Additional Event/Activity Guidelines
Fundraising events in CTS MUST BE APPROVED by the fundraising committee and added to the
fundraising calendar. This includes bake sales, cook-offs, silent auctions, and retail parties
(avon, cookie lee, etc.). We want to make sure that events don’t conflict with one another so
that everyone has equal opportunities.
CTS Team BCT members should not directly approach their co-workers for donations. With so
many participants in the building, we don’t want to put pressure on our fellow associates to
make multiple donations.
Vendor Outreach – In the situation a Banfield vendor reaches out wishing to support, they must
not feel obligated to donate and know that their support neither helps nor hurts their
relationship with Banfield. Please contact Russ Kukini for guidance and support in this scenario.
In Hospital Additional Event/Activity Guidelines
Direct fund raising in the hospitals is NOT permitted, either on or off the clock.
The only donations collected in the hospital are for Hope Funds. They are collected via:
Pinpad donations
Acrylic collection boxes
An associate can’t solicit donations in the hospital. However, outside fundraising events can be
advertised with counter stands and flyers in the hospital (e.g. local restaurant is donating a % of
sales on a certain night.)
Flyers in the hospital
 Must meet general fundraising guidelines
 Should not be taped to counters, doors or walls per our agreement with
PetSmart (Stand-Alones need field director approval)
Clear acrylic frames may be used for display on counters.
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If through conversation a client wants to support an associate, they can give the client their
Team BCT fundraising website for them to visit outside of the hospital, or invite the client to
attend any outside fundraising events.
So an example could look like this:
 Client comes in for a visit and asks the associate how they are. Associate says
something like, “Doing great, sore from my training…”, and it goes from there.
Associates must be careful never to solicit the donation in the hospital. After
hearing about all the work the associate is doing to help pet families in need,
client asks if they can support Team BCT. The associate can then give the
donate.banfieldcharitabletrust.org/teambct website. When home, the client
can donate in a non-pressured environment on their own. They can’t make a
donation in the hospital for a specific Team BCT participant. Our best practice
scenario and the one we want to promote, is an external fundraiser is already
planned, where the doctor can then say, “Yes you can help, join us at _______
on Oct 31st….”. This way, not only are we encouraging external fundraising but
best practices as well.
Business Fundraising and Sponsorship
Business Sponsorship Guidelines
Before reaching out to businesses please notify a Team BCT committee member to assist you
with the following:
To receive a sponsorship tool kit
To ensure the business has not already been contacted to be a sponsor for Team BCT
To update the business sponsorship list
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Group Event Opportunities
In addition to your personal fundraising events and campaigns, the fundraising committee will be
putting on several group fundraising events throughout the year to help you reach your goals. Some of
the events we have planned are outlined below:
CTS Valentine’s Bake Sale – Feb. 12th – 14th: This fundraiser is open to anyone in CTS who wants to bring
in some homemade goodies to sell, and will be held for 3 days in the Library.
CTS Silent Auction – May 12th -16th: Open to all TeamBCT participants. Baskets can be submitted by
individuals or teams and will be auctioned off at CTS the week before the Rock ‘n’ Roll Portland event.
Garage Sale – June (date and location TBD): Just after spring cleaning, bring in your garage sale items to
sell for BCT. Details around this event are still in the works.
Anytime Fundraising Opportunities
If you’re looking for an easy way to start your individual or team fundraising, the opportunities below
are available to you. If you’re interested in these opportunities, just contact your fundraising mentor for
more details.
Pizza for Pets: Sell discount cards for Pizza (Pizza Hut and Papa John’s) to your friends, family and
neighbors.
Wristbands: Talk to a fundraising mentor about selling wristbands to support TeamBCT.
Ihop Restaurant Night: Work with a local restaurant to have a percentage of proceeds from the night’s
diners donated to TeamBCT.
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Calendar
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Talking to Others About BCT – What Do You Say?
Perhaps the most important thing to share when speaking to others about Banfield Charitable
Trust is to tell your own personal story. Tell them about how you came to know BCT and what
inspires you to support them!
Supporting Banfield Charitable Trust – What Does It Mean?
It means, keeping pets with their owners and out of overcrowded shelters. Donations help BCT
address some of the most common reasons people are forced to surrender the pets they love
including…
An inability to afford veterinary care
An inability to afford food
An inability to resolve behavior issues
Change in life circumstances
An illness in the family
BCT Programs
Banfield Charitable Trust offers a wide range of programs to address primary causes of pet
surrender to shelters:
Veterinary care programs help financially challenged pet owners with their pets’ preventive
care and offset costs in emergency medical situations.
Pet Peace of Mind® enables hospice patients to keep their pets at home with them
throughout the end–of-life journey.
Pet Food Program offers pet food grants to organizations such as Meals On Wheels and
human food banks that are working with vulnerable pet owners.
Pet Advocacy Grants help local pet-focused organizations address unique needs facing their
communities with innovative solutions to keep pets and their people together.
What is BCT’s Vision & Mission?
BCT Vision is to ensure that every wanted and loved
pet can stay in their home. We strive to create strong
and healthy bonds between pets and their owners so
that pets are not left to uncertain futures in
overcrowded shelters. We want to see pet families
thrive.
BCT Mission is to deliver programs that maintain the
human-pet bond. We offer support for emergency and
preventive veterinary care, we help struggling pet
owners with their pet care needs, and we offer grants
to pet-related organizations that are getting at the root
causes of pet surrender.
Banfield Charitable Trust is one of
the nation’s top animal welfare
nonprofits! BCT is the only
organization that is solely focused
on preventing the surrender of pets
by offering programs to keep pets
in the home.
Find them online or on Facebook to
learn more about their work!
www.facebook.com/Banfield.Charitable.Trust
www.banfieldcharitabletrust.org
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Why Is Keeping Pets and People Together So Important?
Tens of thousands of people are confronted with financial hardship or serious medical
conditions that force them to make the difficult decision to give up their pets. Low-income
people and seniors are most at risk of being separated from their pets yet a growing body of
scientific research shows physical and mental health benefits to people with pets in their
lives.
Every year more than 2 million pets are surrendered to local shelters by families and more
than half of all animals in shelters are euthanized. (Source: ASPCA)
Human-animal bonds promote physical and mental health among humans which make for
stronger, more stable communities.
For many in vulnerable populations such as financially-challenged families, seniors,
terminally ill, disabled and homebound people, and homeless people their pets are their
only companion and sometimes literally their reason for getting up each day.
Charity Navigator, the top charity watchdog
group, has given BCT their highest ranking
for exceeding industry standards and
outperforming most charities in its cause.
Banfield Charitable Trust is a
Gold Level GuideStar Exchange
participant; the highest level awarded for
commitment to fiscal transparency.
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Where Does the Money Go?
87 cents of every dollar is used on programs that directly benefit pet families.
BCT is a nonprofit that makes careful use of donors' gifts.
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Team BCT Benefits vs. Cost
While the focus of fundraising for Team BCT is to help pet families in need. We’ve often
received questions about what is the transactional value for the benefit package. Based off of
the 2013 Rock n Roll Half, it would be as follows:
Benefit
Rock N Roll Registration
* Charity registration is unique only to official charities and provides additional benefits
Team BCT
Participant
Non-Team BCT
Participant
Included
$150*
Included
$95
Included
Included
Included
Included
Included
Included
Included
Included
$100
Not Included
Not Included
Not Included
$60
$35
Not Included
Not Included
Included
Not Included
$0
$440
not found in standard registration
½ Marathon Training Program with Store Discounts,
Education, and Support
Strength & Conditioning Training (2 months)
Team BCT Tech Shirt and Swag
CTS Mentor Support (Training & Fundraising)
Team BCT Organized Socials
Race Day Photography
VIP Baggage Check and Private Bathrooms for Participants
Post Race Care (Physical Therapy Stretching, Massage)
VIP Charity Tent with Food & Beverages
Feeling the Pride in Knowing You Went the Distance to
Keep Pets and Their People Together
Total Cost
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Fundraising Page Set Up
Start fundraising online in four easy steps:
Step 1: visit https://donate.banfieldcharitabletrust.org/portland
Step 2: click on the ‘BECOME A FUNDRAISER’ button on the right side of the page
Step 3: Follow the steps to set your fundraising goal and customize your personal webpage
Step 4: Use the integrated tools to share with your personal contact list via email and Facebook
Make it Unique
Your fundraising page should be as unique as you are. Take time to personalize your
fundraising page. Share your story, include pictures and video, update your goal , offer
incentives that will make people want to return to your site and keep checking on your
progress.
Keep in mind that your friends and family want to see you succeed. In fact, some may donate
again if they know you're close to reaching your goal. Sharing stories makes donors feel a part
of your efforts, and you may even inspire some of your friends to take part in this with you as a
result.
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Handling Donations Like a Pro
You will want to make sure the donations you collect are secure until they can be put to work helping
pets and their people. You can handle donations like a pro by following 4 simple steps:
1. Use your donation page…it’s electronic, it’s secure, and it’s efficient.
You can use it for accepting payment for events you are running by asking donors to record a comment
with their donation indicating it’s for the Poker Tournament or the Bake Sale, or ???? This makes it
easier to avoid handling money and ensures that your donations are recorded instantly through your
fundraising page.
2. Issue donation receipts
If you have a donor who would like a receipt for their cash donation, please send their name, email
address, and the donation amount to: Russ.Kukini@banfieldcharitabletrust.org. Banfield Charitable
Trust will issue a receipt directly to the donor. Receipts are issued for any level of donation; however,
thank you letters are only sent for donations greater than $25.
3. Turn in cash funds right away
All the money you’ve collected should be recorded on the attached tracking form. Donor information
must be complete and the proceeds you are submitting should balance to the amount on the form.
Bring your form and funds to the BCT. If you have questions or need assistance, contact Russ at
russ.kukini@banfieldcharitabletrust.org.
Credit card donations can be made through your personal Team BCT fundraising page.
Checks should be made payable to “Banfield Charitable Trust”, not Banfield Pet Hospital.
If you are not local or are in a position where you need to mail the donations, you will need to
mail the donation tracking form plus your proceeds to:
Emily Hirsch
Banfield Charitable Trust
8000 NE Tillamook Street
Portland, OR 97213
Please contact Emily at emily.hirsch@banfieldcharitabletrust.org before sending.
Banfield Charitable Trust Donation Tracking Form Donation Amount
Donor Email
Date
Donor Name
Address
Donor Street Address
Cash
Check
Total
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Personalizing Communications
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Sample Introduction and Closing to a Local Business
Dear ______,
My name is _______________ and I am (running/walking/biking) on behalf of Team BCT in the
___________________ in (May, June, August,…) of this year. Team BCT is a training program
provided by Banfield Charitable Trust, a nonprofit organization that keeps pets and their people
together.
Banfield Charitable Trust believes that pets can improve and enrich the lives of people facing
difficult circumstances – homebound seniors, the unemployed, the disabled, and the homeless
for example. I believe in their mission to keep pets and their people together and that’s why I
have committed to support them by (running/walking/biking) in the upcoming ______________.
I’m writing to ask for your help in reaching my personal goal to raise $______ for BCT.
INSERT DESCRIPTION OF DONATION REQUESTED HERE…..
Your gift – no matter its size – will help Banfield Charitable Trust keep pets in their loving homes
and out of over-crowded shelters. Banfield Charitable Trust is a recognized 501C3 organization
(TIN: 27-0044673) and any donations made are tax deductible, and will receive a thank you letter
with a tax receipt. You can learn more about Banfield Charitable Trust’s programs by visiting
them online at banfieldcharitabletrust.org or on Facebook. You can also download their annual
report to see how many pets and people were helped. You’ll be impressed by their fiscal
responsibility!
Thank you for considering giving to a cause that means so much to me and that will make
people’s and pets’ lives better.
Sincerely,
Your Name (and the name of your pet)
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Sample Introduction and Closing to Friends and Family
Dear ______,
I’m writing to ask for your help in reaching my personal goal to raise $______ for Banfield
Charitable Trust, a nonprofit organization that keeps pets and their people together. Pets play an
important role in our lives, and whether you grew up with a pet yourself or have a pet in your life
now, I know you can relate to the incredible love and joy they bring.
Banfield Charitable Trust believes that pets can improve and enrich the lives of people facing
difficult circumstances – homebound seniors, the unemployed, the disabled, and the homeless
for example. I believe in their mission to keep pets and their people together and that’s why I
have committed to support them by (running/walking/biking) in the upcoming ______________.
INSERT BRIEF PERSONAL STORY HERE…..
Your gift – no matter its size – will help Banfield Charitable Trust keep pets in their loving homes
and out of over-crowded shelters. You can learn more about Banfield Charitable Trust’s programs
by visiting them online at banfieldcharitabletrust.org or on Facebook. You can also download
their annual report to see how many pets and people were helped. You’ll be impressed by their
fiscal responsibility!
Thank you for considering giving to a cause that means so much to me and that will make
people’s and pets’ lives better.
Sincerely,
Your Name (and the name of your pet)
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Sample Letter to Last Year’s Contributors
Dear _____________ ,
Team BCT and I wanted to take a moment to thank you again for your generous support, and to give
you an update on our 2013 successes.
In its inaugural year, TeamBCT had 104 participants sign up to run or walk the Rock ‘n’ Roll
Portland Half Marathon. With help from supporters like you who share our vision of keeping pets
and people together, Team BCT raised $80,000.
The money we raised last year will go to support Banfield Charitable Trust’s mission by funding
these critical programs, which help ensure that every wanted and loved pet gets to stay in their
home:
Emergency and preventive veterinary care programs to help people facing financial
challenges keep their pets healthy and offset costs in emergency medical situations.
Pet food program to help struggling pet owners feed their pets.
Pet Peace of Mind® to help hospice patients to keep their pets at home with them
throughout their end-of-life journey.
Pet Advocacy Grants to help local pet-focused organizations across the country address
unique needs facing their communities and develop innovative projects that offer new ways
to help pets.
Your support is critical to helping the Banfield Charitable Trust fulfill its mission. I am so grateful for
your support in 2013, and would love to have your continued support in 2014.
With your continued support and generosity, TeamBCT can continue to play an important role in pet
advocacy, and help see that all pet families thrive.
Thank you for your generosity, and I look forward to telling you about the exciting events we are
planning for 2014.
Sincerely,
Your Name (and the name of your pet)
For more information on Banfield Charitable Trust and its mission, please visit us at:
www.banfieldcharitabletrust.org
Like us on facebook: www.facebook.com/banfield.charitable.trust
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