The Big Share: Toolkit for Fundraisers

Thank you so much for your interest, enthusiasm, and willingness to help bring new bird- and nature-enthusiasts into the Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance flock this Big Share! We are excited to work with you. The Big Share is a day of online giving for over 70 non-profits that are members of Community Shares of Wisconsin—all doing great environmental and social justice work.

The event is on March 5, 2024, beginning at 12:00am and ending 11:59pm CST. Below are resources intended to make your fundraising efforts easier. Please contact Becky (babel@swibirds.org) and/or Kaitlin (ksvabek@swibirds.org) with questions.

One-off Posts or Facebook Fundraisers

Option 1: Post a couple of times during the day to encourage people to donate to our Big Share webpage, or share the posts or videos we share on our Facebook page today. See below for sample images and text.

Option 2: You could create a Facebook fundraiser to benefit Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance, similar to how you might create one on your birthday for a cause you hold dear. To help us win extra prizes during The Big Share, we ask that you hold off on launching your fundraiser until the evening before. You’ll want to include a cover photo, a description of why it matters to you, and a fundraising goal ($250, $500, $750, whatever you want!). Scroll down for samples you can use.

Option 1: Share a few posts during the day

If you want to show your support of Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance, and encourage your friends to donate during The Big Share, posting about the fundraising day on Facebook a couple times is a big help! Feel free to use your own image, or select one from below. Sample text and the specific link to donate are below.

Posts: Select a photo to share

Below are a few different options for you to choose from when selecting a photo for your fundraiser cover. Birds, kids, habitats… you choose whatever you feel most connected with! Please be sure to credit the photographer. To save a photo, right click and select “Save Image As” (or if on a phone, hold down on the photo and save to your gallery).

Posts: Create your text

Example 1: I love birds. You love birds. We all love birds! Donate to Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance TODAY during The Big Share and you can join me in protecting native habitats and beautiful birds, and encouraging curious kids to get outside and explore. All donations, big or small, help! I gave today at swibirds.org/bigshare—you can too!
Photo by: [PHOTOGRAPHER]

Example 2: Today is a great day to love on some birds! Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance, my FAVORITE bird org, is raising money today during The Big Share. Every dollar you donate helps conserve land, protect birds, teach kids, and support conservation all over southern Wisconsin. Donate here (I already did today!): swibirds.org/bigshare—thank you!
Photo by: [PHOTOGRAPHER]

Or, come up with your own!

Option 2: Create the Facebook Fundraiser

Log into Facebook, and in the left column select “See More” and “Fundraisers” (or if on a phone, tap the three-line Menu button in the bottom, tap “See More” and “Fundraisers”).
Click or tap the “Select Nonprofit” button and search for or select Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance.
Edit the information in the left column (or if on a phone tap “Edit Details”) to change the photo, text, and date (see steps below for ideas).
Click or tap the blue “Create” button.

Fundraiser: Text examples

In your Facebook Fundraiser, you’ll need to include some text about why people should donate, why to Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance, and why today. Below are some examples you can use as a starting point.

Example 1: Today, I am raising money for one of my favorite causes: BIRDS! [NATURE! / OUTDOOR EDUCATION!] Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance is a local non-profit and member of Community Shares of Wisconsin that works on protecting birds and land, sharing with kids the wonders of nature, and creating opportunities for people of all ages to learn about their environments. What I love most about SoWBA is [fill in here]. Will you join me in supporting this awesome organization and their work? Any donation, big or small, makes a big difference! Thank you!

Example 2: You know I love birds, and I know many of you love birds too! At the top of my list are [FAVORITES]. Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance is a great organization that helps protect these species, and a whole bunch of other native critters, habitats, and landscapes. They teach kids about nature. They run citizen science programs. They host classes for adults. They’re awesome! Join me today to raise $500 for this organization. Plus, if you donate $20 or more, you’ll get a free membership for the rest of the year—and trust me, it’s worth it! The Big Share is a day of giving for over 70 organizations that are members of Community Shares of Wisconsin—all doing great work. Thank you for your support!