Participate

• Participate in VOV Events
• Fundraising Support Box
• Fundraising Hints
  • How to Host a VOV Event
  • What About Planning?
  • What About Sponsors and Donations?
  • Give Me Some Ideas!
    • Golf Tournaments
    • Motorcycle Rides
    • Run/Walk/Bike/Swim
  • Fundraising Checklist
• VOV Fundraising Registration Form
• Sample Solicitation Letter

Participate in Veterans of Valor Events and Fundraisers

You can be a part of Veterans of Valor and help severely wounded military Heroes by doing what you love. We’ve described several types of events below, but you can be creative, because we LOVE new ideas. We’d like to hear about your ideas and help you in any way that we can.

Fundraising Support Box

After you’ve registered your event, Veterans of Valor will send you a free Fundraiser Support Box. The contents are designed to help you have a great event, including hints on advertising, finding sponsors, and promoting Veterans of Valor. We’ll also send FAQs and information about sending donations to Veterans of Valor.

Click here if you already have a fundraiser in mind and are ready to get started with the Veterans of Valor Fundraising Registration form.

Veterans of Valor Fundraising Hints

What if I want to sponsor a fundraiser, but I don’t know how to get started Below is an easy, step-by-step process that includes basics on how to have a successful fundraiser. It also helps promotes awareness to use the Veterans of Valor logo on your website, advertising, and other support material.

How to Host a Successful Veterans of Valor Event

1. Choose an event
2. Complete fundraising form
3. If approved, sign Veterans of Valor agreement
4. Use the materials in the materials in the Fundraising Support Box to plan your event and don’t forget to use our Sample Solicitation Letter
5. Have a great time at your event – and send us stories and photos to post on our website!

What About Planning?

Follow the Six Ps:

• Prior
• Planned
• Preparation
• Produces
• Pleased
• Participants

All Veterans of Valor fundraising events are from the heart, and we want you to enjoy them. This should be fun and produce a feeling of value and worth, not only personally but to those who have served and given so dearly.

What About Sponsors and Donations?

We have two easy donation options, which you can pass on to your friends and family in order to solicit sponsors and donations. The first option is simple. Sending out a letter with your name on it describing your fundraising event. Recipients can simply cut the bottom of the donation form off and send it back with their donation. You can find it in the general resources of the how-to page on our website. The second option is that we can set up a personalized on-line donation form that describes your specific event and your efforts. The visitors that you send to this particular site on our web page will then be able to donate on-line directly to Veterans of Valor. We then track how many donations you have received and you can also e-mail the direct link to your donation form and it will also be listed under our calendar of events. You know the community in which you are working and what reaches them most effectively. We encourage you think outside of the box to reach others to spread the awareness to support severely combat wounded heroes.

Give Me Some Ideas!

• Golf Tournaments (see link for details)
• Motorcycle Rides (see link for details)
• Run/Walk/Bike/Swim (see link for details)
• Banquets
• Company Fundraisers
• School Fundraisers
• Club Fundraisers
• Organizations, Group, or Individual Events
• Rocking Chair or Jump Rope Marathons
• Bake Sales
• Lemonade Stand
• Craft Sales
• Chore Days
• Car Washes

If you’re ready to register an event, complete our online Veterans of Valor Registration Form. Tell us about what you’d like to do so that we can help you get started. Veterans of Valor believes that by supporting the fundraisers who support us, all of our combat-wounded military Heroes win. We’re happy to assist you with materials such as flyers, brochures, stickers, banners, and pens. Thank you for your support.

Please email the community fundraiser manager with any questions, concerns, or ideas.

Golf Tournaments

Golf tournaments are popular fundraisers. People who love golf tournaments typically have either planned them in the past or they love to play. The best tournament planners are golfers with fundraising experience or community volunteers who have a great committee of both eager volunteers and golfers familiar with tournaments.

Quick Steps to Holding a Golf Tournament

• Start with a plan; your goal, number of golfers
• Form a committee of experienced people and those with a passion to serve
• Create your budget/sponsorship costs and fees
• Develop individual responsibilities and times to meet those responsibilities
• Find a golf course; remember the golfers you are catering to, novice or experienced
• Review the items in the Fundraising Support Box from Veterans of Valor
• Consider marketing and public relations
• Use the Veterans of Valor Sample Solicitation Letter (or develop your own)
• Sell sponsorships and find golfers
• Solicit donations, gifts, and prizes. Gifts and prizes always get everybody excited (especially cars).
• Consider purchasing Veterans of Valor t-shirts, golf shirts, or Veterans of Valor memorabilia so participants remember the purpose of the fundraising event.
• Identify outside services, such as printing, registration, entertainment
• Decide on signage, photos
• Coordinate promotion with marketing and public relations
• Design an awards ceremony
• Consider using auctions to raise even more money
• Organize the day of the event needs, including a registration tables, volunteers, bags, rule sheet, brochures, and sponsor items for bags
• Wrap it up; send thank you letters, line up a golf course for the next year, develop multiple sponsor agreements for the following year

Click here to register your Golf Tournament.

Motorcycle Rides

Motorcycle rides are becoming one of our fastest-growing fundraisers for Veterans of Valor. Most people who inquire about motorcycle rides own or love to ride motorcycles. The motorcycle community loves to gather for such events. If you have an annual motorcycle ride, our experience has shown that mixing it up can keep people coming back. Doing the same ride every year gets predictable, but those rides that mix in a celebrity, community leader, or have more prizes, games, and entertainment will remain a well-attended event and a successful fundraiser.

Quick Steps to Holding a Motorcycle Ride

• Develop your plan; your goals, the number of riders
• Put together a committee of experienced people and those who have a passion for Veterans of Valor.
• Budget for fees, membership costs, sponsorship costs, etc
• Develop timelines and individual responsibilities
• Map the ride route
• Review the items in the Fundraising Support Box from Veterans of Valor
• Develop marketing and public relations
• Use the Veterans of Valor Sample Solicitation Letter (or develop your own)
• Find and register riders
• Plan exciting games and contests and make more winners. Often times motorcycle rides do not have games and contests. If you have a starting point to begin from, it can be a very fun event, especially if food is involved
• Solicit donations, gifts, and prizes. Gifts and prizes always get everybody excited. Consider purchasing Veterans of Valor t-shirts, golf shirts, or Veterans of Valor memorabilia so participants remember the purpose of the fundraising event.
• Identify outside services, such as printing, registration, entertainment
• Decide on signage, photos
• Coordinate promotion with marketing and public relations
• Design an awards ceremony (not necessary, but can very fun and upbeat)
• Consider using auctions to raise even more money
• Organize the day of the event needs, including a registration tables, volunteers, bags, rule sheet, brochures, poker run tickets, and sponsor items for bags
• Wrap it up; send thank you letters, secure motorcycle commitment rides for next year, and develop sponsorships with multiple year agreements

Click here to register your Motorcycle Ride.

Run/Walk/Bike/Swim

Many supporters who love to run, walk, bike, and/or swim want the opportunity to support Veterans of Valor doing something they enjoy. Organize a community or school event of running, walking, biking, or swimming and also raise awareness about the ongoing needs of combat-wounded military Heroes. Don’t forget supporters who love marathons. Other opportunities are available as well. Be creative! Use the Veterans of Valor Sample Solicitation Letter (or develop your own).

You can find lots of information on the Internet by searching for “fundraising ideas.” If you’re already participating in an existing run/walk/bike/swim event, we are more than happy to support your efforts on behalf of Veterans of Valor. Contact us for more information about how to coordinate these existing events.

Click here to register your run/walk/bike/swim event.

Fundraising Checklist

Thank you for registering your fundraising event. Before completing your order, please check to make sure you have

• Filled out the fundraising contract form to tell us about your event
• Talked with our community fundraising manager about your event
• Signed a fundraising agreement
• If you have spoken with us, but have not received the agreement, please click here to email us, and we’ll get it to you as soon as possible so you can begin planning
• If you have completed the previous steps, please click here to complete the fundraising process

Thank you for your support.

Veterans of Valor Fundraising Registration Form

SAMPLE SOLICITATION LETTER

Veterans of Valor

Date:

Dear Friends:

On behalf of _____________ ______________ and Veterans of Valor, I would like to ask for your support of the _________________, which will be held at _____________ on ________________

Thousands of troops have been wounded in recent conflicts, and many suffering severe traumatic brain injuries, amputees, and severe burns. Veterans of Valor provide programs and services that ease the pain and suffering of military Heroes who have been severely wounded in combat and face long-term recovery. Veterans of Valor provides tangible items and valuable tools that promote a positive mental environment, which enhances healing. _________________ is committed to Veterans of Valor and our bravest and best who benefit from Veterans of Valor programs and services.

We are requesting a donation of ______________ to use as an auction prize. In exchange for your generosity, you will receive recognition on the event signage and during the dinner program. Please send your donation to the address below by ________________.

Address _______________________
Contact Information _______________________

Please visit Veterans of Valor at www.veteransofvalor.org to find out more about this wonderful organization and the outstanding contributors and the difference it makes in our bravest and best who serve us.

Veterans of Valor is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization

If you have any questions or need further information, please contact ________________

Name __________________
Phone #______________________
E-mail _______________________

Thank you very much for your consideration.

Sincerely,