Fundraising Stars

• got 75 percent of participants (up from 25 percent) registered online early to give them the opportunity to spend lots of time fundraising;
• added two creative fundraising events to the weekend: the Cool School Challenge and the Polar Plunge 5K, to get school children involved in competitive fundraising and engage folks who aren't quite crazy enough to jump into the frigid ocean but don't mind running a 5K in the cold;
• lessened the burden on her staff and budget by implementing an efficient gift-redemption process.

As a result, the 2011 event exceeded the $1 million goal, while event staff spent 80 percent less time managing the gift program.